Terms of reference

Purpose

It is critical to the success of the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute (CCSRI) that its reputation for peer-review excellence and leadership in the cancer research community is retained to ensure that the Canadian Cancer Society continues to fund excellent research to improve cancer control. The Advisory Council on Research (ACOR) plays a pivotal role in the stewardship of the CCSRI by providing oversight for all CCSRI grants and awards programs. ACOR also has an important role to play in the recommendation of research programs and priorities, research and science policies, ongoing research strategic planning and the identification of appropriate indicators for the ongoing evaluation all of the Canadian Cancer Society’s research programs. ACOR performs this critical role as a management committee reporting and making recommendations through the Vice-President, Research to the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Canadian Cancer Society. ACOR also maintains a linkage to the Canadian Cancer Society National Board of Directors by inviting the scientific representatives of the Board to participate in ACOR meetings, where appropriate.

Size and composition

12-15 members
Scientific Chair and 1-3 Vice-Chairs
1-2 senior representatives of the Canadian Cancer Society
President and CEO and Vice-President, Research, Canadian Cancer Society are ex-officio, non-voting members of the council

Membership

Voting members must be national or international experts in their fields, have credibility in the Canadian health arena, and have a superior understanding of cancer research and cancer science and its relevance to cancer control. Together, the Council must be broadly representative of the entire spectrum of cancer research and cancer control.

In addition, Scientific Members must have:

Strong knowledge and experience of Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute programs and peer review processes, preferably in the capacity of a reviewer or panel chair
History of peer-reviewed funding from a national peer-review agency

Functions

Provide specific advice to senior staff (President and CEO, Vice-President, Research, and Director, Research) regarding the ongoing development and evolution of the Canadian Cancer Society’s research strategy, and on the appropriate programs and funding mechanisms to successfully implement the elements of that strategy
Advance the Canadian Cancer Society’s mission through the stewardship of a broad portfolio of excellent, peer-reviewed cancer research
Oversee the ongoing development and evaluation of End-specific research programs working with the Ends 1, 2 and 3 development sub-committees of ACOR. These End development committees will include at least 2 ACOR members and be supplemented with additional expertise from the scientific, policy and program communities, as required. Additional operational details can be found in the End development committee terms of reference.
Assess the progress of the Canadian Cancer Society (from a scientific point of view) in accomplishing its mission, namely reducing the incidence and mortality from cancer and improving quality of life of those living with and beyond cancer
Provide advice on key directions and opportunities in cancer research, informed in part by convening other national and international experts on cancer research and cancer control on a periodic basis
Advance the Canadian Cancer Society’s mission through national and international research collaborations
Provide advice on scientific and administrative policies of CCSRI
Evaluate the peer review processes used to assess all CCSRI applications for research funding and make recommendations for improvement as required
Based upon advice from Panel or Review Team Chairs, recommend levels of support for applications for CCS grants, awards and major programs and make recommendations through the Vice-President, Research to the President and CEO for approval of all such grants, awards and programs
Provide advice to senior staff, where needed, in the selection of Panel Chairs and members of all standing and ad hoc Scientific Review Panels
Directly evaluate some requests for funding (e.g. Letters of Intent, Workshops and Symposia or other such programs) and make recommendations regarding the suitability of applications and levels of support
Adjudicate all nominations, and make recommendations to the Canadian Cancer Society National Council for the annual Awards for Excellence in Cancer Research
Advise on and participate in the ongoing evaluations of all CCSRI research programs and develop recommendations based on the outcomes

Terms and appointments

Members will be appointed by the President and CEO with advice from the Vice-President, Research, the Director, Research and the Scientific Chair and Vice-Chair(s) of the Council. Each term of appointment is 3 years in duration, renewable for a further term.

The Scientific Chair will be appointed from the membership by the President and CEO for a term of 2 years, with a maximum extension of 1 further year. Under normal circumstances, one of the Vice-Chairs would succeed the Scientific Chair.

The outgoing Scientific Chair is invited to remain as a full member of the council for one additional year as the Past Chair.

Operating mode

3 in person meetings per year, 1-2 days in duration, supplemented by teleconferences, videoconferences or other appropriate technology on an as needed basis

A simple majority of the Council shall constitute a quorum. Once a quorum has been established, a simple majority of those members present shall be required to carry any motion. Voting may be done in person, by telephone, or by e-mail
As appropriate, scientific members of the National Board of Directors will be invited to participate as guests in ACOR meetings. Other guests may be invited to any meeting at the discretion of the Scientific Chair and senior staff.
Teleconferences between the scientific members of the National Board of Directors, the ACOR Scientific Chair and Vice-Chair(s), the Vice-President, Research and the President and CEO may be convened as needed to discuss research issues for the organization
A periodic scientific retreat, which will include ACOR and scientific National Board of Directors members augmented with invited national and international scientific leaders will be convened every 2-3 years
Scientific Chair and/or Vice-Chair(s) will be expected to attend at least one National Board of Directors meeting annually in order to provide a report on ACOR activities and to benefit from the Board’s discussions about research and other issues

Current membership

Rob Bristow, Toronto
Carolyn Gotay, Vancouver (Vice-Chair)
Pamela Fralick, CCS (Ex-officio)
Keith Humphries, Vancouver
David Huntsman, Vancouver
Martin Kabat, Toronto
David Malkin, Toronto (Past Scientific Chair)
Hanne Ostergaard, Edmonton
Louise Parker, Halifax
Stephen Robbins, Calgary
Gary Rodin, Toronto
Zeev Rosberger, Montreal (Vice-Chair)
Cal Roskelley, Vancouver (Vice-Chair)
Jeremy Squire, Kingston
Michel Tremblay, Montreal
Christine Williams, CCS (Co-Chair)
Brian Wilson, Toronto (Scientific Chair)
Marie-Élise Parent, Laval (National Board representative)
James Rutka, Toronto (National Board representative)
Dallan Young, Calgary (National Board representative)

Last modified on: 09 January 2013