This series contains the minutes, agenda, and other records of the Research Policy Council (RPC) and the Bank Research Advisory Group (BRAG). Based on the recommendations in a report on the management of Bank research which was produced by a study team under the auspices of the Organization Planning Department (OPD), President A. W. Clausen established the RPC on August 2, 1983 to provide overall leadership in the guidance, coordination and evaluation of all Bank research. Anne Krueger, Vice President, Economics and Research Staff (VPERS), served as chairperson. The RPC records in this series consist primarily of agenda and minutes of meetings, August 1983 - February 1987. Filed with some of the agenda are copies of the issues papers to be discussed at the meetings. Included with the records are: a small file of May 1987 intra-Bank memoranda regarding the Internal Audit Department's proposed review of the comparative studies program, and memoranda and issuances, August 1983 - October 1985, outlining the role of the RPC and how it changed the role of the Research Committee. There is also a copy of the minutes of the first meeting (November 19, 1987) of the Research and Publications Policy Council (RPPC) which replaced the RPC.

The Bank Research Advisory Group (BRAG) was established by the RPC to advise it on a wide range of Bank views on research issues of interest to the Council and to assist the RPC in formulating institutionally relevant research priorities. Anne Krueger (VPERS) chaired BRAG and appointed its members after consultation with the RPC. The BRAG had a membership of 20 senior Bank staff chosen so as to ensure a wide representation of perspectives. The Secretary of the RPC was also an ex-officio member of BRAG. The BRAG records in this series consist of: lists of the BRAG members; Anne Krueger's correspondence with members, February-August 1984; copies of key documents establishing BRAG and outlining its duties; and agenda and minutes of the two BRAG meetings, April 12, 1984 and October 4, 1984. Filed with the agenda are copies of documents to be discussed at the meetings, including a copy of the October 1984 report on dissemination of the Bank's research output that was prepared by a BRAG subcommittee, chaired by C. Michalopoulos.