Blogs

Empowered by SRAI: A Story of Growth, Community and Leadership | by Tonya K. Edvalson

By SRAI News
Being part of SRAI has given me confidence, knowledge, and leadership opportunities that I never would have expected in my life. Growing up in a very small town in Utah. Learning how to interact with others across the globe, in a profession that I have come to love, was initially uncomfortable. However, so many of you have made this an exciting adventure. Throughout my 14 years as a member of SRAI, I have been able to network with so many of you and rely on you for information when I have a problem to solve. I have always felt part of a community that is working to make the world a better place. I am running for Secretary of the SRAI Board of Directors ...
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Praising ‘Up’ | by Marcos Garza

By SRAI News
My passion for SRAI began at the first meeting. I had attended other professional meetings but always left wanting a different experience. After my first meeting I knew I had found my professional development home. It was SRAI. This organization and its members have given so much to me personally and professionally. I have served on the SRAI Finance Committee and DEI Task Force. I have attended numerous annual and sectional meetings presenting at most, but also going to learn from my colleagues. In my first term as Secretary, I learned from my colleagues and the SRAI staff. I learned that the board could have robust debates about the future of SRAI and no ...
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A Seat at the Table | by Artisha Wright

By SRAI News
A few months into my grants management career in 2005, my supervisor recommended I attend the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) meeting in Niagara Falls, NY. Excitement best describes what I felt as this would be my first work travel, my conference attendance would count towards my certification, and I could potentially network with research administrators and principal investigators whose grants I managed. Looking back on that trip compared to where I am today, the growth that I’ve experienced professionally and personally because of the opportunities afforded to me by SRAI is truly amazing! Recently I asked myself what I could do beyond ...
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Hands in the Air: Shaping the Future of Research Administration Through Leadership | by Judy Bristow

By SRAI News
"Raise your hand if you knew as a young child that you wanted to be a research administrator when you grew up?" I ask that question at every Basics training that I have taught over the years and have yet to have anyone raise their hand. (However, I did come close with a participant in the current class, who responded that their mother is a research administrator. In fact, I know of one other mother and son who are currently research administrators and there are likely more!) Fortunately, I expect the answer to that question to change as the next generation of research administrators are exposed to the career that helped shape and change my life. Research administrators ...
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Get Interested in What You’re Doing and Give It Your All | by Pamela Montgomery

By SRAI News
My name is Pamela Denise Montgomery, and I am excited to announce my candidacy for the position of At-Large Board Member on the Board of Directors for the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI). For over twenty years, I have served the research community at Duke University in various capacities, starting as a subject matter expert in sponsored programs administration and finance, and extending to workshop facilitation to mentor others. I bring a wealth of expertise and experience that I believe will contribute to guiding the vision of SRAI. I am dedicated, responsible, motivated, and a self-starter. My dedication is evident in my commitment ...
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Facing the Challenges of the Research Enterprise | by Maria Soliman

By SRAI News
In spring 2024, I made the decision to run for the SRAI Board of Directors. As with any significant commitment, serving on the Board requires time, dedication, and a deep understanding of the challenges facing the United States research enterprise as well as the international community. We must also consider the tools necessary for research administrators to navigate changing regulations, stricter reporting requirements, and increased administrative burdens. Throughout my professional career in research administration, I have worked at universities both with and without academic medical centers, as well as a multiple-state healthcare system. While my current ...
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A Duty and an Honor: Serving SRAI | by Kevin Titus

By SRAI News
SRAI membership includes a wide variety of people from all over the world with varied experiences and are at institutions with varied resources and missions. It’s that variety and commitment to service that makes us the premier research administration organization in the world and why I’ve truly enjoyed serving in a variety of roles over the past 15+ years with SRAI. I’ve told many people that after my very first SRAI meeting, I returned to my institution and shared that I was surprised at what I had learned. I honestly expected to learn more at my first foray into a research-related conference. I told our leadership that they did a great job of training and ...
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Prioritizing Professional Growth and Career Progression of Research Administrators | by Jennifer E. Woodward

By SRAI News
Investing in the professional development and career progression of research administrators is crucial for advancing the field of research administration. These professionals are the backbone of our organizations, playing a pivotal role in our collective success in research. This commitment to invest in research administrators begins internally within our institutions and extends outward through our active engagement with the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI). As research administrators, our roles continuously evolve alongside the complexities of research. To navigate these challenges effectively, SRAI must continue to innovate and expand ...
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Part of Credibility as a Research Administrator is Listening | by Jason Claes

By SRAI News
Have you ever considered seeking feedback from your team members? Asking for feedback demonstrates that you value their opinions. Simply inviting their experiences, thoughts, and ideas reduces the likelihood that team members view themselves merely as task executors under your direction. As a leader, it's essential to encourage and actively solicit feedback periodically. When your team understands that you welcome constructive criticism, you cultivate a culture of trust and foster stronger engagement. In a recent article by Annette Y. Harris, MBA, ACC, a respected people manager, she emphasizes the challenge of setting aside biases when receiving feedback. ...
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Hot Topics in Research Law | Legal Issues in the Age of AI-Generated Media: Deepfakes and Other AI Chicanery

By SRAI News
Hot Topics in Research Law | Legal Issues in the Age of AI-Generated Media: Deepfakes and Other AI Chicanery The Spotlight concludes its series on the implications of emerging legal issues when artificial intelligence (AI) platforms are incorporated as part of the research administration discipline. This month, potential problems provoked for research integrity through use of sophisticated AI deepfake techniques are examined. The ability of artificial intelligence (AI) to create near-perfect replicas of images and voices and even video has ushered in a new era of creative expression. However, this rapidly increasing ability to mimic reality beyond our ability ...
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Note from the Editor | Summer Reading Guide

By SRAI News
Note from the Editor | Summer Reading Guide Welcome to the “summer reading guide” that is this month’s Catalyst! Or, for those of you not in the northern hemisphere, perhaps a nice, cozy “winter reading guide” instead? Either way, we have an excellent line-up of topics for you this July. We wrap up our current Spotlight series on Hot Topics in Research law this month with Legal Issues in the Age of AI-Generated Media: Deepfakes and Other AI Chicanery . However, I fully anticipate artificial intelligence to remain a hot topic, so stay tuned for more articles on AI in the future. Outside of our spotlight, we have some great, thought-provoking ...
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View from the Top | Gratitude and Thanks

By SRAI News
View from the Top | Gratitude and Thanks Reflecting on our achievements and looking ahead to future endeavors, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the unwavering dedication and hard work of our Board of Directors, Leadership, Committee Chairs, Volunteers, and HQ Staff. I appreciate your extraordinary commitment and support to SRAI, its members, and the research community. Your tireless efforts and generous contributions are the backbone of our success and have a significant impact on the research community. We could only achieve our mission of advancing research management, administration, and knowledge transfer with you. Your commitment not only ...
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Applying the Dreyfus Five-Stage Model of Skill Acquisition in Research Administration

By SRAI News
Applying the Dreyfus Five-Stage Model of Skill Acquisition in Research Administration Introduction In 1980, researchers Hubert and Stuart Dreyfus introduced a widely recognized theoretical model of skill acquisition. This model delineates the progression from novice to master skilled through the accumulation of experiences. The Dreyfus model comprises five distinct stages, each relevant to the field of research management and administration. As one ascends the hierarchy of skill acquisition, the number of research administrators at each stage diminishes. Stage 1: Novice Novice research administrators are newcomers to the profession, role ...
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The Big Handshake: The Pre-Award to Award Management Hand-Off

By SRAI News
The Big Handshake: The Pre-Award to Award Management Hand-Off In the research administration profession, the location of roles and responsibilities vary from institution to institution. There are positions in departments, service centers, central offices – jobs at sponsoring agencies, non-profits, and industry . Each area is unique, utilizing the best formats and layouts of responsibilities for that specific entity. In the area of pre-award (proposal generation) and post-award (award management) there can be several variations for distribution of workload. The two largest models that one might typically see is the “cradle-to-grave” model, where each research ...
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The Evolutionary Path of Research Administration: Advocating for the Faculty-Appointed Research Administrator (FARA) in Academic Medical Centers

By SRAI News
The Evolutionary Path of Research Administration: Advocating for the Faculty-Appointed Research Administrator (FARA) in Academic Medical Centers The landscape of academic research is evolving, compelling a transformative shift in research administration. Integrating Faculty-Appointed Research Administrators (FARAs), who combine teaching responsibilities in grant writing and scientific writing with research administration duties, represents the next pivotal step in the profession. This dual role is essential for enhancing research productivity and academic rigor, positioning academic medical centers at the forefront of global research innovation. The Role ...
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Rethinking the Accidental Research Administrator

By SRAI News
At a recent conference I presented a talk describing the field of research administration as a proper career path and a legitimate profession to aspire to and perhaps thrive in. I posed the question, “how many of you just ended up getting a job in research administration not really meaning to, and here you are 5,10, 20+ years later?” Right on cue I got a lot of yeses, nodding of heads, raising of hands, affirmative laughs, and comments in agreement. When I asked, “how many of you were intentional about getting a job in research administration as a career path and as a plan or viable option for career post college degree?” I got crickets. The first question and ...
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Special Delivery: Feedback

By SRAI News
Special Delivery: Feedback When we hear the word feedback most of us have a negative feeling, especially if we are near that time of the year when organizations require annual reviews. But stop for a moment and think of all the feedback you give and receive every day between co-workers , managers, friends, and family. It’s happening all the time! The feedback you provide is very important; it can show approval or disapproval, motivate or stop action, be constructive or destructive. Feedback can reduce confusion on expectations, encourage personal improvement, and sometimes give a new perspective. A better understanding of feedback environment, types, ...
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Preparing for SRAI's 2024 Annual Meeting in Chicago

By SRAI News
Preparing for SRAI's 2024 Annual Meeting in Chicago The 2024 SRAI Annual Meeting in Chicago is fast approaching! To make the most of this event, it's essential to plan ahead. Here are some tips and strategies to help you maximize your experience, from scheduling your time effectively to networking and engaging with exhibitors. Plan Your Schedule in Advance Check out the Program Before you arrive, be sure to check out the entire program . This allows you to review all the tracks and sessions and identify those that interest you the most. As we approach the meeting, you will be given instructions to download the event app, which will allow ...
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SRAI in Your Country: Up Close and Personal | United Kingdom

By SRAI News
SRAI in Your Country: Up Close and Personal | United Kingdom Thanks to SRAI’s extensive international scope (over 40 countries around the world), SRAI members literally have the world at their fingertips. Wouldn’t it be great to spend a few days or months, submerged in the life of a fellow research administrator in another part of the world, to walk in their shoes, and to expand your international view of research administration? To whet your appetite, this four-part series will take you on a virtual, imaginary tour of the daily life of an individual research administrator on four different continents or geographic regions – Africa, Australia, Europe, and ...
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Your Questions Answered | What Would I Tell a Brand-New RA?

By SRAI News
Your Questions Answered | What Would I Tell a Brand-New RA? 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: What would I tell a brand-new Research Administrator starting in the field today? Jose G. Alcaine, Director of Research Services/Affiliate Faculty, Virginia Commonwealth University, SRAI Distinguished Faculty . Give yourself grace to settle into the profession ...
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