Your Questions Answered | I Wish Faculty/PI’s Understood…
Each month, the Catalyst will feature a question posed to our panel of SRAI Distinguished Faculty members to get their take on all sorts of topics encompassing research administration. Do you have a research administration question for our experts? Send your questions to catalyst@srainternational.org!
This month, we asked our experts: I wish faculty/Principal Investigators (PIs) understood…
Sandra M. Nordahl, CRA, Director, Sr. Contracting and Compliance and Security Officer, SDSU Research Foundation, SRAI Distinguished Faculty.
- ..the time that it takes to move a proposal/project from the initial thought, through award stage, and on through the close-out process. There’s also the various minor details that really are major details along the way and segregated into various stages/people/departments. It takes a lot of effort from a multitude of people to move through the closeout process and ensure that all of the boxes have been checked along the way and that the PI and organization are in compliance.
Jose G. Alcaine, Director of Research Services/Affiliate Faculty, Virginia Commonwealth University, SRAI Distinguished Faculty
- …how the work they do (and by extension we help do) is really important to society and can save lives, improve knowledge about phenomenon or social problem, and can impact our communities in a positive way. It would be great if in addition to publishing in high impact peer reviewed journals in their discipline, faculty would also pursue community outreach to let the general public know about the science and knowledge creation taking place at our institutions. Greater outreach and awareness of scientific discoveries would help spread the word about the value of tax funded projects and the benefit to people’s daily lives. I wish all faculty would increase community outreach, publish pieces about their work in op eds, local newspapers and radio, speak at local community meetings, and embrace open publishing practices in outlets that do not require a paid subscription and are otherwise open to a wider public.
M. Fran Stephens, Emeritus Director, Office of Research Services, University of Oklahoma, SRAI Distinguished Faculty
- …understood that when we tell them they (or we) can’t do something we have their and our organization’s best interest in mind. We aren’t trying to stop or slow their research; we’re trying to protect them.
It does help if we as the gatekeepers don’t just slam a door but provide some information on why they can’t do something or must do a certain action. A helping hand in determining an alternative is also usually appreciated.
Domenica G. Pappas, CRA, Associate Vice Provost for Research, Office of Research, Illinois Tech, SRAI Distinguished Faculty
- …we don’t make up the rules as we go along. We’re here to help you, not hinder your work.
Tonya Edvalson, Operations Manager, University of Utah Health, SRAI Distinguished Faculty
- …that research administrators have highly specialized expertise that can help them navigate through the process and make it much easier for them. We understand the regulations and policies that will keep them on the right track to make their research successful in funding and implantation of a project. When it feels like we are being bureaucratic and/or we are questioning their science, please remember that our advice is not meant to be that way. We are trained to identify any holes or issues that could lead to no funding or compliance issues down the road.
Do you have new faculty or researchers who may be interested in comprehensive training for PIs? Our PI Intensive for New Faculty and Researchers might be just what they’re looking for! This day-and-a-half workshop is designed to equip PIs with essential tools and skills for a successful career in research. This program will take place from October 24-25 in Chicago, IL. Click here to learn more and register!
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