BENEFIT: Effectiveness.
The NCURA Peer Review Program is a service for members and is intended to assist institutions in assessing the effectiveness of their sponsored programs operations. The review identifies areas for improvement, best practices, or alternatives that may improve an operation's effectiveness and services.
BENEFIT: Validation.
Peer review and academic program review are recognized throughout higher education as a process that promotes external objective assessment and critique in order to yield a quality product or program. The NCURA Peer Review Program is modeled off of academic program review and validates a sponsored program operation by using nationally recognized research administrators to conduct the review.
BENEFIT: Accountability.
The institution demonstrates accountability to their constituents within the institution through conducting a peer review. In this era of competing priorities for resources and time, faculty and administrators need assurance that sponsored programs is performing at peak efficiency and meeting the needs of the stakeholders.
BENEFIT: Responsible.
Institutions of higher education embrace peer review in virtually all academic areas. However, administrative program reviews are often less rigorous or non-existent. Implementing external peer review with the sponsored programs area visibly demonstrates that the institution has consistent standards and expectations for all units and operations.
BENEFIT: Educates.
External expertise is an avenue to bring education and information to faculty and administrative participants. The dialogue and discussions are opportunities to identify, and at times enlighten, misunderstandings or misperceptions about research administration.
BENEFIT: Promotes Communication.
The peer review process relies on stakeholder groups coming together to discuss a shared enterprise. These groups reflect different perspectives and needs. The process of allowing groups to communicate with objective, independent reviewers provides an opportunity for cross-institutional dialogue on a core administrative function. Often enhanced communication continues long after the review ends.
For questions or further information on the NCURA Peer Review Program, contact contact Peggy Lowry at (503) 364-1847 or peerreview@ncura.edu
