Governance

The Research on Research Institute (RoRI) was founded in 2019 by a group of researchers, funders and data providers with a mission to accelerate transformative research on research systems, cultures and decision-making. 

Initially set up as a collaborative project, RoRI was based for most of its pilot phase (2019-2022) at the Wellcome Trust in London. 

After the completion and positive evaluation of this pilot phase, RoRI was established as a nonprofit community interest company (CIC). Its second phase is set to run for five years, to the end of 2027.

RoRI CIC is incorporated in England and Wales under company number 14404760. Its registered office is at University College London (℅ STEaPP, 4th Floor, Shropshire House, 11-20 Capper Street, London WC1E 6JA, UK).

RoRI CIC has four founding members—Digital Science; Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF); Swiss National Science Foundation and University College London (UCL). These member organisations nominate directors to the RoRI CIC Members Board.

RoRI CIC Board Members

• Daniel Hook (Digital Science), Director and Chair, RoRI CIC; 
• Gert V. Balling (NNF), Director, RoRI CIC and Co-Chair, RoRI Partnership Board; 
• Sarah Chaytor (UCL), Director, RoRI CIC;
• Katrin Milzow (SNSF), Director, RoRI CIC and Co-Chair, RoRI Partnership Board; 
• James Wilsdon (UCL), Director, RoRI CIC and Executive Director, RoRI;
• Chonnettia Jones (Addgene), Independent Director, RoRI CIC;
• Paul Gemmill, Treasurer and Independent Director, RoRI CIC;
• Deborah Farmer, Board Secretary, RoRI CIC.

This governance model is designed to enable RoRI to operate as a lean, flexible and independent legal entity, with a defined social purpose. You can read more about the community interest company model here and here.

Notice of Upcoming CIC Board Member Election & Call for Nominations

The Research on Research Institute (RoRI) Community Interest Company (CIC) is looking to appoint a new member of the CIC Board. The new member will not come from the founding members of RoRI – Digital Science, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Swiss National Science Foundation and University College London.

Key Dates & Deadlines

· Call for nominations open: 15 June 2026

· Deadline for submission of nominations: 17 August 2026

· Election Date at RoRI Partnership Board: 17 September 2026

· Ratification of new member by CIC Board special resolution – 18 September 2026

Eligibility: Candidates:

· Must be from an organisation that is a member of the RoRI Partnership Board;

· Must be a member of the community that RoRI serves;

· Must demonstrate a commitment to the community’s interests and the Company’s mission;

· Must possess the skills and experience necessary to oversee the legal and financial responsibilities of the Company;

· May be an employee of a for-profit entity.

How to Nominate: Each nomination must include a statement of intent, relevant qualifications, and a declaration of any potential conflicts of interest. Nominations must be submitted via email to Deborah Farmer at d.farmer@researchonresearch.org

Process: Following the submission deadline, a Nomination Committee will review all applications to ensure eligibility criteria are met before the ballot takes place on 17 September. The Nomination Committee may interview candidates if necessary to clarify their qualifications or potential conflicts of interest.

Voting: Voting shall be conducted by ballot of the members of the Partnership Board at a nominated Partnership Board Meeting – to be held on 17 September. Absentee votes shall be sent by email to the Chair of the Board, cc to the Treasurer and the Executive Director, no less than 2 hours before the Partnership Board meeting

CIC Board Chair: following the election of a new CIC Board member on 17 September, a new CIC Board Chair will be elected by, and from the membership of the CIC Board.

As a responsive and responsible research funder, we strive to continually learn and adapt our programs to ensure maximum impact. That is why we joined RoRI: to practice evidence-informed health research funding in a way that brings national and international best practices into the British Columbia and Canadian health research systems.”

Bev Holmes, Ph.D., President and CEO, Michael Smith Health Research BC

RoRI’s strategic priorities, and the codesign and delivery of its work programme, are delegated to its Partnership Board. 

RoRI’s Partnership Board consists of nominated representatives of its Core Partners, which currently include the following:

RoRI’s operations are coordinated by a small core team, based at UCL in London, who manage a network of researchers and collaborators across our partner organisations. Read more about the team behind RoRI.

RoRI also has several project partners which do not sit on our Partnership Board but work with us on one or more projects.