Overview

The Unit’s approach is characterised by:

• sound ethical research principles;
• systematic project management processes;
• stakeholder collaboration and consultation at several levels, including decision-making structures at institutional, faculty and departmental levels;
• multidisciplinary inputs;
• a multi-method strategy.

Research projects are usually referred to HERI via the UP Executive, while faculties, academic departments and individual lecturers also make use of the Unit’s research infrastructure and capacity. The bulk of the Unit’s research load is generated from the institutional priorities, faculties’ strategic plans, research contributions to specific innovation projects within the Department of Education Innovation, as well as key research areas identified within the Unit self.

HERI reports are considered to form part of corporate intelligence, are confidential in nature and the information generated by such research eventually informs Executive decisions, policy development, curriculum design and development, teaching, learning and assessment practices.

In addition, HERI fulfils a prominent research coordination function within the Department of Education Innovation. This includes collating and reporting on departmental research activities and output in institutional research databases and research overviews.