Strategic councils

Strategic Council for Education (USR)

The Strategic Council for Education (USR) works to strengthen the quality of education at the University. The USR consists of delegates from all faculties, Umeå School of Education, the Planning Office and the Centre for Educational Development. The student unions are also represented in USR. USR is led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Education.

The council is responsible for

• initiating and coordinating comprehensive strategic discussions on education
• encouraging and following up the implementation of educational and research strategies regarding education
• providing data for decision-making regarding future educational strategies
• discussing and addressing topics revolving around education within third-cycle courses and study programmes – that is doctoral education.

Contact information

Åsa Rudehäll Analyst

Email

+46 90 786 99 93

Strategic Council for Research and Doctoral Education (FOSTRA)

The Strategic Council for Research and Doctoral Education (FOSTRA) works to strengthen the quality of research at the University. FOSTRA consists of delegates from all faculties, Umeå School of Education, the Planning Office and the External Relations Office. The student unions are also represented in FOSTRA. FOSTRA is led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research.

The council is responsible for

• initiating and coordinating comprehensive strategic discussions on research
• encouraging and following up the implementation of educational and research strategies in effect with regards to research
• providing data for decision-making regarding future research strategies.

Contact information

Johanna Blomström Analyst

Email

+46 90 786 74 95

Strategic Council for Digitalisation (DIGA)

The Strategic Council for Digitalisation (DIGA) is a university-wide advisory and preparatory body supporting the Vice-Chancellor and the University Management and acts as a forum for the sharing of experiences between faculties, the Umeå School of Education, the University Administration and the Umeå University Library regarding topics of IT and digitalisation.

The council is tasked with

• initiating digitalisation initiatives to strengthen research and education;
• coordinating digitalisation matters overall across all fields of action;
• coordinating with other strategic councils regarding digitalisation matters that fall under the responsibilities of the other councils;
• coordinating, prioritising and quality assuring the University Management’s priorities of IT-related needs and investments and to continuously develop this process. The council must coordinate their advice with the regular budget process;
• suggesting to deprioritise and decommission currently used IT systems where the council finds the need for such;
• contributing with university or organisational perspectives on all-embracing matters concerning system management; and
• contributing to an efficient use of the University’s IT resources.

Fredrik Georgsson

Email

+46 90 786 54 79

The Council for the Promotion of Good Research Practice

The Council for the Promotion of Good Research Practice (REDA) works proactively to promote good research practice and prevent deviations from occurring. REDA consists of representatives from the faculties and student unions. The council is led by Pro-Vice-Chancellor Patrik Danielson.

REDA’s mission is to:

• provide university-wide strategic support to promote good research practice;
• propose measures to prevent research from being conducted without ethical approval or in violation of the conditions specified when ethical approval was granted;
• propose routines and system changes that prevent misconduct from continuing or being repeated; and
• act as a university-wide advisory and preparatory body to supports the University Management and facilitate exchange of experience between faculties on matters of research ethics and good research practice.

Learn more about the council in the Procedures – supporting good research practice and handling suspected deviations

Contact: Erika Sörensson