The Committee for Research Engagement has been set up to:

• establish and formalise guidelines for engaged research with societal actors and implement actions towards this aim
• support cohesion, synergy and co-responsibility among different actors, such as students, researchers, academics, technical and administrative staff, involved in the process of research and innovation at UM
• connect, coordinate and facilitate the flow of information on existing research engagement activities happening in different departments, centres, institutes and schools at UM
• collaborate with relevant UM entities, especially those dealing with gender, equality, diversity, communications, doctoral students and ethics, on research engagement practices
• advise the Senate and Council on measures to foster a culture of research engagement at UM
• monitor developments on research engagement policy and impact, in line with national, EU and international standards.

Term of Appointment:
1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026

Composition of the Committee

Chair
Pro-Rector for Research and Knowledge Transfer, Professor Inġ. Simon Fabri (1 January 2026 to 30 June 2026)

Members
Director of Doctoral School
Director for the Research Support Services
Director of the Corporate Research & Knowledge Transfer Office
Director of the Marketing, Communications and Alumni Office
Chair, UREC
Dr Danielle Martine Farrugia
Two academics with expertise in Engaged Research and/or Responsible Research and Innovation, nominated by the University Senate::
   Professor Clare Muscat Fenech
   Dr Edward Duca
Mr Carlo Mifsud (appointed by Council)
Mr Julian Azzopardi (Student Representative) - up to 30 September 2026
Two External Stakeholder Representatives chosen by the CRE Board, and rotating bi-annually to be selected from among the following agencies/units:
   National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) – Government
   Senior Director Strategy, Research & Technical Affairs of the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) – Government
   Director of Esplora or EsploraNatura – Public engagement organisation Malta
   Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS) – Civil Society
   Ministry for Education and Employment – Government Valletta Design Cluster – Civil Society
Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise & Industry – Economy
Director of Malta Business Bureau – Economy
The Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) – Media