Q & A: CFRI’s New Research Structure
1. What is CFRI’s new research structure?
CFRI’s new structure has four research Themes represented by Theme Leads working with a small
number of research Groups within the Theme.
The purpose of a Theme is to identify and enable strategic research directions. Examples of Theme
level activities include seeking and responding to new large-scale funding opportunities, facilitating
collaborations and interactions between groups, optimizing use and awareness of existing and new
research infrastructure, and responding to unmet needs for BC’s children and families.
Groups are intended to bring together smaller numbers of investigators (e.g. 10-20) in a way that
increases research capacity and collaboration, optimizes the potential for translational research, and
makes CFRI a dynamic and exciting place to work. Groups may form around new, large-scale funding
opportunities, common areas of research interest, or a shared technology. It is anticipated that
there will be 15-20 groups that will be active at any one time.
The Theme Leads are champions for the research Groups within their Theme. CFRI’s Themes and
Theme Leads are:
o
Childhood Disorders – Lead: Dr. Megan Levings
Childhood Disorders includes Groups that are focused on studying childhood diseases and
disorders. There is a specific focus on understanding mechanisms of health versus disease,
as well as identifying and testing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
o
Healthy Starts – Lead: Dr. Michael Kobor
Healthy Starts is aimed at keeping children and families healthy and out of hospital,
preventing lifelong health disparities that are rooted in early childhood, and promoting
healthy life trajectories. Research in this Theme includes work in the areas of the
developmental origins of health and disease, healthy pregnancy, social and environmental
determinants of child health, and biological mechanisms underpinning child development.
o
Evidence to Innovation – Co-Leads: Dr. Kishore Mulpuri & Dr. Ian Pike
Evidence to Innovation encompasses research in the data, clinical and community
environments, along with population and community research. This Theme will leverage
opportunities that are underway with the electronic health records project, the
development of an integrated data infrastructure environment, the potential for clinical
informatics to empower clinical research, and our clinician researchers who are driving
innovations in technology and transforming outcomes for children and their families.
Activities in this Theme will leverage the knowledge translation work that affects policy,
practice, societal awareness and behaviour.
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The Mind – will initially be led by a Planning Committee that will also be initiating a search
for a Theme Lead.
The Mind is an exciting new area of strategic focus that brings together our research
strengths in areas such as autism, clinical neurosciences, mental health, brain and behaviour
research. It leverages our leadership in areas such as the NeuroDevNet and the Child &
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Family Research Imaging Facility 3T MRI, and it anticipates the move of Sunny Hill Health
Centre for Children onto the Oak Street campus in 2019. Because The Mind is a new
strategic focus for CFRI, it is in a development phase, and a Planning Committee will help get
it established as a research Theme. The Planning Committee will ultimately work with the
CFRI Research Leadership Council to identify a Theme Lead.
2. What happens to the clusters?
The research clusters will become dispersed among the Themes. Some clusters, such as Cancer, will
likely become Groups within the Themes. The Themes will discuss and finalize their Groups during
the Theme strategic planning. The Groups and Group Leads will be confirmed by the Theme Leads
and the CFRI Research Leadership Council. In the future, there will be a process for proposing new
Groups and Group Leads to the Theme Leads, and for celebrating and decommissioning of Groups
that have completed their work.
3. Where does CMMT fit?
The CMMT will continue as a UBC Senate-approved Centre, and each CMMT investigator will also be
a member of a CFRI Theme.
4. What are the Groups?
CFRI will have 15-20 Groups that will be active at any one time. The Themes will discuss and finalize
their Groups during the Theme strategic planning process. The Groups and Group Leads will be
confirmed by the Theme Leads and the CFRI Research Leadership Council. CFRI investigators will
identify their Theme on a web form at www.cfri.ca/visioning. In the future, there will be a process
for proposing new Groups and Group Leads to the Theme Leads, and for celebrating and
decommissioning of Groups that have completed their work.
5. How does the new structure work?
o There are four research Themes, and within each Theme there are a small number of Groups.
o CFRI will have 15-20 Groups that will be active at any one time.
o Each investigator will become a member of one Theme.
o An investigator can participate in multiple Groups, which may span Themes. The Group Leads
will confirm the Group membership to ensure there is a fit with the research.
o Each Theme has a Theme Lead and each Group has a Group Lead. A Group’s Lead must be in the
Theme that is championing the Group. The Theme Lead and the CFRI Research Leadership
Council will confirm Groups and Group Leads.
o CFRI resources to the Groups will flow through the Themes.
o While research Groups can change, the Theme structure will endure.
o In the future, there will be a process for proposing new Groups, and a process for celebrating
and decommissioning Groups that have completed their work.
o *It is possible that a few people may choose to opt out of being in a Group, and while that is
acceptable, they will still be in a Theme and relating to a Theme Lead. However, CFRI is unable to
support an infinite number of Groups. The Theme resources will be strategically allocated
through the Theme structure to research Groups. We expect only a few people would choose not
to join a formal Group.
Example: Childhood Disorders is a Theme. Cancer is a Group within the Childhood Disorders
Theme. The Cancer Group Lead is an investigator in the Childhood Disorders Theme. The
Childhood Disorders Theme Lead is a champion for the Cancer Group, and the Cancer Group Lead
works closely with the Childhood Disorders Theme Lead. Investigators from any of the four
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o
Themes can become members of the Cancer Group with the approval of the Cancer Group Lead
to ensure there is a fit with the research.
The CMMT will continue as a UBC Centre, and each CMMT investigator will also be a member of
a CFRI Theme.
6. How many Themes and Groups can I join?
Each investigator will identify with one Theme and can participate in multiple Groups, which may
span Themes. Although a few people might choose to opt out of being in a Group, they will still be in
a Theme and relating to a Theme Lead. CFRI is unable to support an infinite number of Groups. The
Theme resources will be strategically allocated through the Theme structure to research Groups. We
expect only a few people would choose not to join a formal Group.
7. How are the Groups determined?
The Themes will discuss and finalize their Groups during the Theme strategic planning process. The
Groups and Group Leads will be confirmed by the Theme Leads and the CFRI Research Leadership
Council. In the future, there will be a process for proposing new Groups, and a process for
celebrating and decommissioning Groups that have completed their work.
8. How are the Group Leads identified?
Groups and Group Leads will be confirmed by the Theme Leads and the CFRI Research Leadership
Council. Proposals for new Groups will also include a suggested Group Lead.
9. What are the responsibilities of the Group Leads?
The Group Leads will represent their Groups to the Theme Leads. As some Groups have directed
funds, the Group Leads will also manage these budgets and the related reporting and metrics.
10. How are the Theme Leads identified?
CFRI’s Executive Director, Dr. Wyeth Wasserman, appointed the initial Theme Leads who will
provide support during CFRI’s transition and strategic planning process. The Theme Leads will work
with the Theme investigators to establish the Themes and Theme Groups. After the transition,
future appointments of Theme Leads will involve an open call for applications and nominations,
which will be reviewed and decided upon by the Executive Director in consultation with the CFRI
Research Leadership Council.
11. Why is the Mind led by a Planning Committee?
The Mind is an exciting new area of strategic focus that brings together our research strengths in
areas such as autism, clinical neurosciences, mental health, brain and behaviour research, and
leverages our Leadership in areas such as NeuroDevNet and the Child & Family Research Imaging
Facility 3T MRI. It also anticipates the move of Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children onto the Oak
Street campus in 2019. Because The Mind is a new strategic focus for CFRI, it is in a development
phase, and a Planning Committee will help get it established as a research Theme. The Planning
Committee will ultimately work with the CFRI Research Leadership Council to identify a Theme Lead.
12. What are the responsibilities of the Theme Leads?
The Theme Leads are champions for their Theme and research Groups. They will work with the
Theme investigators to identify the Theme’s strategic priorities, lead the Theme’s operations and
overall budget for the research conducted in the Theme. They will represent the Theme and Theme
Groups to the CFRI Executive, Research Leadership Council, BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, and
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the CHIPS (Child Health Integrated Partnership Strategy) Committee. The Theme Leads will bring any
Theme issues to the attention of the CFRI Executive Director and CFRI Research Leadership Council.
13. How will this change happen?
Over the next year, CFRI will shift from clusters to the new Theme structure, with the transition
completed by March 31, 2016. The major steps in CFRI’s transition to the Themes and Groups are:
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April 2015: New research structure introduced
April-May 2015: CFRI investigators identify their Themes
May-June 2015: Theme strategic planning sessions
June-October 2015: CFRI strategic plan completed, submitted, and shared
October 2015-March 2016: Gradual operational changes to support the new structure
March 2016: Transition to CFRI Themes complete
14. What if I don’t want to be part of a Theme?
Each investigator will identify with one Theme. An investigator can participate in multiple Groups,
which may span Themes. Although a few people might choose to opt out of being in a Group, they
will still be in a Theme and relating to a Theme Lead. However, as CFRI is unable to support an
infinite number of Groups, the Theme resources will be strategically allocated through the Theme
structure to research Groups. We expect only a few people would choose not to join a formal
Group.
15. What if I don’t want to be part of a Group?
Each investigator will identify with one Theme. An investigator can participate in multiple Groups,
which may span Themes. Although a few people might choose to opt out of being in a Group, they
will still be in a Theme and relating to a Theme Lead. However, CFRI is unable to support an infinite
number of Groups. The Theme resources will be strategically allocated through the Theme structure
to research Groups. We expect only a few people would choose not to join a formal Group.
16. What are the benefits of joining a Group?
Public acknowledgement; visibility by and to the foundation; co-location of space; be part of the
strategic planning process; direct representation within your Theme.
17. How do I join a Theme and Group?
All CFRI investigators will receive an email with a link to a web form where they can indicate their
choice of Theme. This information will help the Theme Leads coordinate their Theme strategic
planning sessions, which will take place in May-June 2015. The Themes will discuss and finalize their
Groups during the Theme strategic planning process. The Groups and Group Leads will be confirmed
by the Theme Leads and the CFRI Research Leadership Council.
18. What will happen to the cluster budgets?
By March 31, 2016, the CFRI cluster operating budgets will be reallocated to the Themes.
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19. How much money does each Theme get, and how is that determined?
Previously, cluster budgets were allocated based solely on the amount of external funding awarded
to cluster investigators. In the new structure, operating funds will be allocated to the Themes based
on both external funding dollars and on strategic direction. This will allow funds to be allocated to
new and emerging areas of research as well as support for the established research Groups.
20. How will this affect space?
The total amount of space available for research will not be reduced; in fact, we hope to expand the
amount of space we have available in the future. However, there may be some lateral shifts to
promote collaboration and co-location. All proposed changes will be addressed on a case-by-case
basis with significant engagement from everyone involved. Space will be managed in consultation
with the Theme Lead, CFRI Research Leadership Council, and the CFRI Space Committee.
21. Will I have to move my lab?
There might be proposed moves in the future to promote collaboration and co-location. All
proposed changes will be addressed on a case-by-case basis with significant engagement from
everyone involved. Space will be managed in consultation with the Theme Lead, CFRI Research
Leadership Council, and the CFRI Space Committee.
22. How will this affect the core facilities?
All members of CFRI will still have access to all core facilities on this campus. CFRI is working with the
CFRI Leadership Council and the Theme Leads to adjust and optimize core facilities to align with
CFRI’s strategic priorities.
23. How will this affect the cluster staff?
It is not our intention to reduce staff. However there may be gradual lateral shifts over the next
year, or possibly promotions for some cluster support staff to better optimize their skills and time,
and to more effectively support the research Themes and Groups.
24. How will this affect current and future trainees?
This does not affect your trainees nor your ability to access trainees in the future. We anticipate that
the new Theme structure will provide unique opportunities for trainees to engage in
interdisciplinary and translational research, supported by the Themes.
25. What does this mean for clinical research?
CFRI will continue to support clinical research, which will be a key part of the CFRI strategic plan.
CFRI’s support for clinical research will include expanded CRSU capabilities, clinical seed grants, and
new initiatives that will be identified during strategic planning. CFRI’s new Themes will include
clinical researchers and seek to increase translational collaborations.
26. Why is this happening? What is the rationale for this change?
CFRI investigators have achieved tremendous success and made significant contributions to
improving the health of children and families in British Columbia and around the world. These
achievements are an indicator of our potential as an organization. For the next phase in CFRI’s
evolution, our aim is to grow the organization to be one of the top research institutes in North
America dedicated to child and family health research, and to make it easier for our researchers to
achieve success.
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To realize this aim, we are putting in place a new research structure at CFRI that allows us to grow,
and carrying out a strategic planning process that will produce a 5-year strategic plan for the
research institute.
This new structure will help us profile our research to support fundraising, external funding
opportunities, and obtaining matching contributions for large scale grant applications. CFRI’s new
research structure will provide us with the ability to:
 Strategically use our resources
 Develop new research Groups, address unmet needs for BC children, and respond to
opportunities
 Engage directly with BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and the CHIPS Committee
27. What financial resources does a Theme hold?
The support formulas for the Themes will be identified during the strategic planning process with
the CFRI Executive Director and the CFRI Research Leadership Council. The Theme Leads will provide
Leadership to the Theme’s operating budget, space assignments, and staff.
28. Does this impact my research grants?
No. Individual investigators will continue to manage their own grants, research staff and trainees.
29. What are the timelines for strategic planning?
The major steps in CFRI’s strategic planning process are:
o April 2015: New research structure introduced
o April-May 2015: CFRI investigators identify their Theme
o May-June 2015: Theme strategic planning sessions
o June-July 2015: Theme Leads complete strategic plan
o July 2015: CFRI shares draft 5-year strategic plan with research community
o September 2015: CFRI shares 5-year strategic plan with PHSA Board
o October 2015: CFRI shares approved strategic plan with community
o March 2016: Transition to CFRI Themes complete
April 13, 2015 at 9:00 a.m.
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