SAE RESEARCH STRATEGY
SAE Auckland is committed to fostering a vibrant and sustainable culture of research and creative practice among its academic staff. This Research Strategy outlines the framework through which the organisation supports and promotes scholarly activity, ensuring that research remains central to its educational mission. SAE seeks to ensure that the majority of our teaching faculty are recognised as “research-active,” meaning they contribute meaningfully to the generation and dissemination of new knowledge.
The strategy sets out clear objectives for developing and maintaining this research culture. These include securing external funding, defining and supporting faculty research roles, and establishing practical steps and milestones that will guide the institution’s ongoing growth in research excellence.
defining research activity
At SAE, being research-active reflects a sustained commitment to creative and intellectual inquiry. Research activity is understood as any endeavour that contributes to the creation, interpretation, and communication of knowledge within the creative and academic domains. Faculty are expected to engage in projects that lead to verifiable research outcomes, recognising that larger-scale works such as books, albums, or feature films may require extended periods of production.
Equally important is participation in the broader research environment. Staff are encouraged to contribute to various internal research-related fora, as well as launch new research initiatives and strengthen the institutional infrastructure that supports creative and scholarly work. Dissemination plays a vital role in this definition: faculty should share their findings through publications, presentations, performances, exhibitions, or digital platforms, and integrate the results of their research into their teaching practice.
A research-active educator also participates in the professional life of their field, engaging with discipline-specific communities, industry partners, and external collaborators. This outward engagement ensures that SAE’s research remains dynamic, relevant, and responsive to the evolving landscape of creative industries. Finally, faculty are expected to mentor and supervise student research, cultivating the next generation of scholars and practitioners who will continue to advance creative disciplines.
Balancing Teaching, Research, and Administration
SAE Auckland recognises that effective research engagement depends on a realistic balance between teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities. To support this balance, all research-active staff receive a reduction of teaching hours every year. This adjustment enables faculty to pursue meaningful research activity without compromising their teaching quality or administrative contributions. It reflects SAE’s understanding that a strong research culture cannot exist without institutional structures that respect the time and focus required for sustained creative-academic inquiry.
STRATEGIC DIRECTION
To strengthen its research capability and ensure continuous development, SAE Auckland has identified several key areas of strategic focus. The faculty members will be encouraged to seek external research funding by identifying suitable grant programmes, preparing competitive proposals, and developing partnerships with funding agencies. This will be supported by the establishment of a dedicated Research Hub, which will coordinate research administration, assist with proposal development, and help staff navigate the complexities of funding applications and compliance. The Hub will serve as the central point for research support and development within the institution.
Professional development is also central to SAE’s research strategy. A programme of research workshops, and training sessions will be introduced, offering guidance on topics such as research methodology, writing for publication, and knowledge dissemination. These sessions will build confidence and capability among faculty and strengthen the collective research skill base of the institution.
External collaboration remains a cornerstone of SAE’s approach. The institution will continue to develop partnerships with other research organisations, industry groups, and educational bodies, promoting interdisciplinary projects and knowledge exchange, including in the form of research seminar series.
To showcase the diversity and quality of work produced, SAE will host annual research showcase events, offering a platform for staff to present their projects to peers, students, industry partners, and the wider community. These events will reinforce SAE’s role as a hub of creative and scholarly innovation. The entire research strategy will be reviewed annually to assess its effectiveness, allowing for reflection and adjustment in response to changing conditions and new opportunities.
Conclusion
This Research Strategy affirms SAE Auckland’s dedication to excellence in creative and scholarly research. By defining what it means to be research-active, providing tangible institutional support, and setting clear strategic directions, SAE ensures that its faculty are empowered to contribute both as educators and as creators of new knowledge. The strategy seeks to strengthen the relationship between research, teaching, and professional engagement, ensuring that these elements operate in harmony rather than competition. Through these measures, SAE Auckland will continue to cultivate a thriving research culture that enriches its academic community and contributes to the advancement of creative practice and education, both within New Zealand and on the international stage.
For more information on our research strategy or research-related inquiries, contact our Research Coordinator.
David Chechelashvili
Email: [email protected]
Strategic Goals for the Research Plan
To further the research activity and culture, SAE Auckland aim to meet the following strategic goals:
- Seeking External Funding Opportunities: actively pursue external funding opportunities from research funding bodies. This includes identifying suitable grant programs, preparing high-quality research proposals, and fostering partnerships with funding agencies.
- Establish a Research Hub: create a dedicated Research Hub tasked with identifying external funding opportunities, assisting in grant proposal development, and providing administrative support for research-related activities. This Hub will be fully operational within the next twelve to twenty-four months.
- Research Workshops and Training: develop and implement a series of research workshops and training sessions for faculty members. These sessions will cover topics such as grant writing, research methodology, and effective knowledge dissemination. The initial workshops will commence within six months.
- External Collaborations: foster collaborations with external research institutions, industry partners, and other educational organisations. Develop a list of potential collaborators and establish formal agreements where applicable.
- Research Output Tracking System: implement a robust system for tracking faculty research outputs, including publications, presentations, and creative works. This system will be fully operational within twelve months and will aid in monitoring progress toward “research-active” criteria.
- Research Showcase Events: organise annual research showcase events where faculty members can present their work to the SAE community and external stakeholders. The first research showcase event is planned to take place two years after the adoption of this plan.
- Review and Adaptation: conduct an annual self-assessment review of the research strategy’s effectiveness in achieving its goals. Based on the review, make necessary adjustments and enhancements to ensure continuous improvement in SAE Auckland’s research culture and outcomes.
