Funding
The School of Public Policy is committed to academic integrity and academic freedom. In producing objective, relevant, and practical research that informs public policy we are asked how we ensure our research is unbiased and objective.
Here are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions.
How is the School funded?
The School’s funding complement includes: an annual operating budget envelope received from the University of Calgary; tuitions fees collected from students enrolled in the Graduate Programs; research grants awarded from agencies and councils; Philanthropic gifts to support students and research programs; as well as funding from Nonprofit organizations and government ministries needing support with academic solutions.
Does the School defend a particular ideology or serve specific interests?
The School does not have an ideology. We believe the best policy comes from evidence-based and rigorous empirical research. Our commitment at The School is to disseminate objective policy solutions that is independent of social and economic groups, or political influences. The School cannot be contracted for advocacy or government lobbying engagements.
How does the School ensure its research meets the highest standards of independence and quality?
All research disseminated from The School is governed and guided by an academic research committee of academics from several faculties and a breadth of disciplines. The School has governance policies to ensure independence and quality of research receiving support from granting agencies; foundations; government ministries; or private donors. These include:
- All research, including topics and authors, falls under the purview of an academic research committee, chaired by a faculty member. Suggestions or counsel may be sought from subject matter experts external to the School. These individuals may provide technical research support; however, they have not responsible research planning or a decision-making, this remains entirely in the hands of faculty seconded to the School.
- Research published at the School as rule is funded from an aggregate of different external funding sources, as the terms of the grants and gift agreement often require matching funds from donors or other granting agencies. Funding for sizeable and complex research initiatives at the School often includes at least four or five funding sources.
How does the School ensure bias or groupthink doesn’t undermine its research?
All research circulated from the School undertakes a rigorous peer reviewed process, before it is communicated to the public, published in an academic journal, or released as a report to others. Research outputs are peer reviewed, twice, as it is reviewed anonymously by two outside experts for their opinions on the substance of the research, and to note any shortcomings or biases, real or perceived. Authors are obligated to address peer review comments to the satisfaction of a Scientific Director at the School.
Research is then reviewed by the School’s Research Director. All our research is published online for other subject-matter experts and the public to read, assess and critique.
How does the School avoid conflict of interest?
Our academics are experts in their fields and routinely participate in work with governments, the private sector or non-profit organizations. University of Calgary researchers are held to the highest standards of conduct and shall strive to follow the best research practices honestly, accountably, openly, and fairly in the search for and in the dissemination of knowledge. In addition, researchers shall follow the requirements of applicable University policies and professional or disciplinary standards and shall comply with applicable laws and regulations. For information on the University’s research governance standards, policies, and codes of conducts please continue to https://research.ucalgary.ca/research-services/ethics-and-compliance.
How does the School ensure independence of management, budgeting and hiring?
The School reports to a Management Board chaired by the Provost of the University and comprised of members of the University executive and senior leadership teams on all management issues, including budget, hiring, programming and planning.
If you have other questions, please email sppcomm@ucalgary.ca.