Research Advisory Committee Terms of Reference and Membership
Project title: Creating opportunities for sex worker justice
Chief Investigator: Dr Larissa Sandy
Partner Investigator: Sam Richardson-Martin
Research Advisory Committee terms of reference
About the Research Advisory Committee
The Research Advisory Committee (RAC) is representative of a wide range of stakeholders with an interest in promoting and supporting sex worker safety and access to justice. This includes sex workers, researchers, practitioners and law enforcement.
The role of the group
The RAC is an expert group that has the role of providing critical (and friendly) comments and advice to the researchers over the course of the project. The RAC will provide independent and objective advice and guidance on the research project. The RAC is only required to provide advice to the researchers. It is not required to implement, secure resources for or undertake the research.
We are establishing the RAC to advise on the strategy and progress of the project and assist in the development of research tools. The role of the RAC is an advisory body to support and where possible strengthen the research project. The RAC will provide:
- comment and advice on the overall conduct and progress of the research, including advice on the research methods, tools, findings and outputs; and
- exchange ideas and information, (making sure to maintain confidentiality of the research and any other information shared within the meetings).
Roles and responsibilities
The RAC will have an independent Chair elected by the Committee. The Chair will appoint a Deputy Chair from within the RAC. If the Chair cannot attend a meeting, the Deputy Chair will act as an alternate to the Chair.
The chairperson of the group will report back to the CI & PI.
The responsibilities of the Chair are to:
- set the agenda for each meeting
- make sure RAC members receive the agenda and supporting materials before each meeting
- make the purpose of the meeting clear and explain agenda items at the beginning of the meeting
- ensuring the voices and views of all members are heard
- keep the meeting on track and making sure meetings are two hours or less
- end each meeting by summarising all decisions and actions.
The responsibilities of RAC Members are to:
- actively participate in meetings
- support open discussion and debate.
Membership
Membership includes
- Members of the sex work community with an interest in sex worker safety.
- Members of professional organisations with an interest in sex worker safety.
- Members of law enforcement agencies with an interest in sex worker safety.
- Academics with research and teaching interests in the topics being investigated in the project.
It is anticipated that membership of the RAC will last for the duration of the research project.
Meeting frequency and structure
The group will meet three times over the course of the project for 2 hours per meeting:
- Meetings will be held in Nottingham.
- Papers will be circulated one week prior to the agreed meeting date.
- Expenses will be met.
The group will meet three times over the course of the research project. A provisional agenda will be drawn up by the Chair in consultation with the CI and PI and circulated two weeks in advance of the meeting.
The final agenda and any papers will be circulated one week in advance of each meeting. Where possible, decisions will be taken collectively, taking full account of the views of all members.
Meetings will not be open to the public.
At each meeting the RAC will:
- Receive and comment on a progress update from the CI & PI.
- Ensure views from key stakeholders are considered in research design and implementation
- Monitor and advise on the strategy being undertaken in the research, including:
- reviewing progress towards relevant milestones;
- supporting and advising on the research approach and activities; and
- providing advice on publications and other outputs.