SRAI Professional Development Framework
In 2023, SRAI commissioned a task force to develop a systematic framework to be used as a tool to assist with identifying the knowledge and capabilities required to be an effective research administrator and to guide practitioners through their career journey. At the 2024 SRAI Annual Meeting in Chicago, the professional development framework was unveiled. Members can now use this tool to identify their learning needs and connect those to specific SRAI program opportunities.
It has long been realized that no one goes to school saying, "I want to be a research administrator when I grow up.” Much of the knowledge we need to do our jobs we gain on the job. SRAI provides many learning and educational opportunities for research administrators such as its certificate program, training intensives, LevelUP micro-credentialing, and more. Often training tends to be "just in time" or as needed. In 2023, SRAI commissioned a task force to develop a systematic framework that could be used as a tool to identify the knowledge and capabilities required to be an effective research administrator and to guide practitioners through their career journey. At the 2024 SRAI Annual Meeting in Chicago, the professional development framework was unveiled and ready for use.
The need for a tailored framework arose in response to the evolving staffing landscape in research administration, particularly so post-pandemic. Increased attention became focused on recruitment, retention, and job satisfaction. Therefore, the ability to map and enable capacity building with the rapid influx of new professionals emerged. The framework also serves as a tool that can be used by organizations to align their training to support skill development.
At the outset of the task force’s work together, essential elements and core competencies were outlined. To develop an industry-wide framework, consideration was taken with respect to diverse audience applicability. How would a framework differ from the body of knowledge? How would this serve as a potential career pathway map? Cross-cutting skills highlighting core competencies and consideration of specializations were also evaluated.
What was clear in the framework development process was that “one size does NOT fit all,” that the framework would need to be descriptive rather than prescriptive, and that “the perfect is the enemy of the good.” The final product is intended to be “version 1.0,” where it will remain fluid and evolve as the profession continues to mature.
Following this decision, the work of the task force concentrated on how to best ensure usability of the framework. This comprised two aspects – (a) the presentation of the framework and (b) describing learning levels and learning pathways for each topic that would assist SRAI members in identifying appropriate and progressive skills needed to be effective research administrators. Research administrators can also utilize the Framework as a tool to assess gaps in skills/knowledge and understand how to build those within and across elements, topics, and levels.
The final deliverable - a professional development framework - contains nine elements and 58 separate topics with descriptors for five learning levels within each topic (see graphic below).
Once these learning descriptors for each topic are linked to SRAI’s existing professional development programs, it will be possible for SRAI members to identify their learning needs from the framework leading to specific SRAI programming. This should enhance the value and usability of the framework as a tool that can be used to fulfill, at least in part, the original goal of the project “to establish a coordinated Career Development Framework that will keep members returning to SRAI to learn, progress in their chose fields, and be recognized for their achievements.”
In doing this, we note that the usability of the Framework will be enhanced by further refinements including linking existing professional development programs offered by SRAI to the learning descriptors contained within the framework itself.
The Framework is live and available at: https://framework.srainternational.org/
Acknowledgments:
Mark Hochman chaired the Framework Working Group. Jim Mitchell, Director of SRAI IT Technology, facilitated the development of the online tool. Marcia Landen was enlisted to write the Growth Pathway descriptions.
Authored by
Mark Hochman, Director, Research Management Resources
Debra Schaller-Demers, MSOM, Senior Director, Research Integrity and Compliance, New York University
Jennifer E. Woodward, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Sponsored Programs and Research Operations, Professor of Surgery and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh
Susan Wyatt Sedwick, PhD, CRA, CSM, Senior Consulting Specialist, Attain Partners
Karen Mitchell, MBA. Director of Special Projects, Temple University
Mark Lucas, CRA, Chief Administrative Officer, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles
Evan Roberts, Executive Director, Society of Research Administrators International
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