In the intricate world of research management, success is rarely a solo journey. Mentorship and networking together act as twin engines of professional growth: one offering guidance and resilience, the other opening doors and building meaningful connections. This session takes a fresh, engaging look at how these practices shape careers, foster collaboration across borders, and cultivate a thriving RMA community. Through real-life stories, practical tips, and a touch of humor, we will interactively explore how mentorship provides a safe space for experimentation, nurtures creativity, and accelerates learning, while networking equips professionals with the tools, mindset, and confidence to build authentic, lasting connections. Attendees will uncover the power of a gift, learn effective instruments of networking, and take away the ten do’s and don’ts for maintaining trust and professional relationships.

The session also highlights modern, flexible approaches - leveraging technology, social media, and curiosity-driven engagement - while dispelling common myths, such as the “grass is greener” illusion. Ultimately, we will celebrate mentorship and networking as dialogues, where laughter, generosity, and shared experiences spark innovation and opportunity. Participants will leave inspired with strategies to not only grow their careers but also enrich the professional journeys of others.

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Apply mentorship and networking together to build adaptability, resilience, and authentic connections.
2. Use practical tools, mindsets, and strategies to strengthen professional growth and career development

Track: Professional Development 

Leadership Certificate Required Session : LD-VI: Professional Development

Speaker(s): Floris van der Leest, Manager, Research Performance Information, University of the Sunshine Coast

This session will explore the role of the Research Development Offices (RDOs) to connect researchers and funding agencies aiming to strengthen international research collaborations —particularly between research institutions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high-income nations. We will present a triangular model of collaboration that builds institutional capacity and promotes equitable engagement across regions and sectors to develop research with global impact. As an illustrative case, we will draw on the final report of a British Academy-funded initiative led by Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) in Brazil, which convened regional workshops to foster dialogue among researchers, research managers and funders at local and international level. The initiative mapped structural barriers and identified strategies to overcome the challenges enhancing the role of RDOs in supporting long-term, inclusive, and transparent partnerships. Participants will gain practical insights into how RDOs can act as bridges between institutional priorities and international funding opportunities, how it can better support equityable-oriented collaboration, and how communication strategies can enhance transparency, engagement, and impact. The session will combine conceptual framing with real-world case studies and an open discussion, offering participants replicable strategies to strengthen research ecosystems and navigate the complexities of global cooperation.

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Define actions to be implemented by research offices to align objectives of researchers and funders in order to support equitable and impactful international partnerships.
2. Assess how institutional support structures—such as RDOs—can be leveraged to reduce power asymmetries, strengthen engagement in global research networks, and apply communication strategies that incr

Track: International Collaborations

Speaker(s): Goret Paulo, Director of Research and Innovation , Fundação Getulio Vargas, Tamara Marques, Coordinator of International Partnerships, Fundação Getulio Vargas

The research ecosystem in India is changing to output-driven research. From calls for proposals by funding agencies to government policies, the community is embracing this change to facilitate transfer of technologies from lab to market. These changes have necessitated the need to set-up institutional processes and frameworks to manage the research output efficiently. Many institutes for the first time have started hiring research managers, who liaise with different stakeholders, and play a crucial role in facilitating optimal utilization of the research outcomes.  
This session is focused on case studies from India, which will bring out the different aspects of how effective research management systems were set up at institutional levels to steer output-driven research in the country. The panel of speakers in this session bring together experiences from a publicly funded research institute involved in basic and applied research (Dr. Alpana Dave; Project Scientist, BRIC-National Institute of Biomedical Genomics), a privately funded research institute involved in basic, translational and clinical research (Dr. Ponnari Gottipati Associate Director- Research, LV Prasad Eye Institute), a research park focusing on industry-academia partnerships (Dr. Sneha Ranade, Head, Industry-Academia Engagements, ASPIRE, IITB Research Park Foundation) and from a science communicator (Dr. Somdatta Karak, Head, Science Communications and Public Outreach, CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology) who is actively contributing to bringing science out of the labs to the communities. 
The insights from this session will be useful for research managers & administrators from emerging research ecosystems who are in the process of setting-up processes at their institutions. This session will help them understand the various aspects of research output management and how to prioritize them according to the needs of their institute. It will also be useful for research managers & administrators from the more established ecosystems to become aware of the changes in the Indian research environment and the systems being developed, which may assist in facilitating future research collaborations. The panel will highlight insights from this broad-spectrum case study of Indian research and translational ecosystem that can be applied in the global context, helping all participants streamline their operations to enhance output-driven research. "

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

1. To know about current trends in output driven research ecosystem in India 
2. To learn the measures being undertaken for output driven research and their impact in low-resource setting 

Track: Output Driven Research

Speaker(s): Dr. Alpana Dave, Project Scientist, National Institute of Biomedical Genomics, Dr. Ponnari Gottipati, Associate Director- Research, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Dr. Sneha Ranade, Head of Industry-Academia Engagements, ASPIRE, IITB Research Park Foundation, Dr. Smodatta Karak, Head of Science Communications and Public Outreach, CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology

Coming soon

Content level: Coming soon

Learning objectives:

1. Coming soon
2. Coming soon

Track: Regulatory Landscapes

Speaker(s): Karmyn Eyles, Compliance and Regulatory Subject Matter Expert, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Ashleigh Jackson, Pre/Post Award Subject Matter Expert, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Denise Clark, Associate Vice President for Research Administration, University of Maryland, Ann Holmes, Senior College Budget Officer Emeritus, University of Maryland College Park

The contemporary higher education landscape faces unprecedented challenges in managing the complex post-award grant lifecycle, where researchers increasingly find themselves overwhelmed by administrative obligations that detract from their core mission of advancing knowledge. This abstract examines the transformative impact of post-award grant management automation software on university research ecosystems, revealing how intelligent systems are revolutionizing the relationship between administrative efficiency and research productivity.

Post-award grant management automation represents a paradigmatic shift from traditional manual processes to sophisticated digital frameworks that fundamentally reshape how universities handle funded research projects. The implementation of these automated systems generates substantial benefits that cascade throughout the entire research enterprise, creating ripple effects that extend far beyond mere administrative convenience.
The most immediate and profound benefit is the dramatic reduction in administrative burden, where researchers experience liberation from time-consuming bureaucratic tasks that previously consumed weeks of valuable research time. This transformation allows faculty to redirect their intellectual energy toward groundbreaking research activities rather than navigating complex compliance requirements and repetitive data entry processes. Simultaneously, automation significantly improves data accuracy while eliminating costly duplication errors that frequently plague manual systems, creating robust data integrity that protects both institutional reputation and researcher careers.

Enhanced compliance management emerges as a critical advantage, particularly as federal regulations become increasingly stringent. Automated systems proactively track grant expenditures, ensure adherence to Uniform Guidance requirements, and prevent compliance penalties that could jeopardize future funding opportunities. This protective capability provides researchers with confidence and security, knowing their projects operate within established regulatory frameworks without constant manual oversight.
The acceleration of fund disbursement through automation dramatically impacts research timelines, enabling projects to commence more rapidly and maintain momentum throughout their lifecycle. Coupled with streamlined communication and collaboration features, these systems create transparent project environments where milestones, budgets, and team responsibilities are clearly defined and easily accessible to all stakeholders.

Automated reporting and analytics capabilities transform how institutions understand and optimize their research portfolios. These systems generate comprehensive reports effortlessly while providing valuable insights into research performance, funding patterns, and strategic opportunities. The centralization of data management creates unified information repositories that eliminate information silos and enhance institutional knowledge management.
The cumulative impact of these benefits creates operational efficiency gains that are quantifiably significant. Universities report hundreds of hours annually saved in grant administration, time that can be reinvested in research activities, faculty development, and strategic initiatives. The transformation extends beyond mere efficiency improvements to fundamental changes in how researchers experience their professional lives.

Post-award grant management automation software represents more than technological advancement; it embodies a philosophical shift toward empowering researchers to focus on their core mission while intelligent systems handle administrative complexities. My experience at Ashoka University with facts exemplifies this transformation - what began as a necessity to manage growing research portfolios has evolved into a strategic advantage that enhances our institutional competitiveness. The Media Studies and Visual Arts Departments now operate with unprecedented efficiency, where researchers express genuine excitement about project management rather than dread about administrative obligations. This transformation ultimately accelerates discovery, enhances institutional competitiveness, and creates sustainable frameworks for managing increasingly complex research funding landscapes. As universities continue embracing these technologies, the boundary between administrative burden and research brilliance continues to blur, creating new possibilities for academic achievement and societal impact."

Content level: Basic 

Learning objectives:

1. Learn the benefits of automation in post award grant management 
2. Learn the key process of implementation of such automation 

Track: RMA Futurescapes

Speaker: Uttkarsha, Deputy Manger - Academic Support, Ashoka University

The global research funding landscape is undergoing a fundamental shift from a focus on discovery and applied research, to research which will deliver societal benefit.  This presentation analyses this funding trend across countries including Australia, New Zealand, and Europe, using Australia's Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) as a prime example of impact-focused funding.

We present a detailed case study of how RMIT University and Impact Research Management Ltd worked with RMIT’s research community to co-design a comprehensive roadmap to respond to this evolving landscape. 

Our highly collaborative approach resulted in a shared vision which harnessed and built upon RMIT’s multi-disciplinary research culture to strengthen the potential to leverage MRFF investment.  Through the development of a practical framework and alignment with strategy, RMIT has been able to prioritise areas of focus, resources, support and engagement activities to enable attraction of funding to support the delivery of health and medical research outcomes. 

The session will share analysis of research impact driven funding landscape, lessons learnt from the co-designed methodology, potential initiatives to support research for impact, and implementation challenges. 

Content level: Advanced

Learning objectives:

1. Participants will acquire actionable insights and tools to prepare their own research communities for impact-focused funding landscapes
2. Participants will learn about stakeholder engagement strategies and framework development approaches that can be adapted to their institutional contexts.

Track: Sponsors & Funding Agencies

Speaker(s): Jane Holt, Executive Director, Research Strategy & Services, RMIT University, Rochelle Finlay, Director, Impact Research Management Ltd

The successful administration of research grants is critical for sustaining higher education institutions and Caribbean institutions often encounter significant challenges that can jeopardize grant implementation, leading to delays, underutilization of funds, and even project failure. This presentation, ‘Ensuring Grant Success: Detecting and Addressing Challenges in Higher Education Research Funding’ addresses the early warning signs of grant mismanagement and offers strategic solutions to mitigate risks associated with research funding.
This session will highlight several critical challenges faced by Principal Investigators (PIs) and institutional grant management offices. Key issues include PIs securing funding but struggling with execution, insufficient project management support, budget misalignment, rigid donor requirements, high import duties affecting procurement, and delays due to regulatory compliance. Additional concerns such as academic misconduct, legal issues involving PIs, and the lack of contingency planning for leadership transitions will also be explored.

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

1. Equip attendees with practical strategies for early identification and resolution of challenges in sponsored research, focusing on budgeting, financial reporting, and risk management.
2. Diversify Funding Portfolio to Strengthen Resiliency for Science and Innovation

Track: International Collaborations 

Speaker(s): Louri Clare, Financial Manager - Budgets & Grants Management, The University of the West Indies, PetaGaye Allen, Sponsored Research Analyst, The University of the West Indies, Sandra Gayle, Sponsored Research Analyst, The University of the West Indies

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Insights into regional funding restrictions whether it be from an operations perspective or from the perspective of developing research collaborations with institutions with regional restrictions. 
2. Build-in strategies in Sponsor, Pre-Award and Post-Award operations for research award success.

Track: Professional Development 

Leadership Certificate Required Session : LD-IV: Team Building

Speaker(s): Dr. Jaiyana Bux, Acting Associate Director Internal Programs & Research Development, Khalifa University, Cira Mathis, Director of Research Institute Strategy and Public Engagement, New York University Abu Dhabi, Aseela Al Dhaheri, Research Programs Senior Specialist, Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research

The Universidad de los Andes (Chile) is implementing Building an Open Scientific Community, a two-year initiative funded by the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID). The project aims to establish a sustainable culture of open science aligned with Chile’s Open Access Policy and international standards, addressing gaps in governance, infrastructure, training, and dissemination.

The initiative is organized around four pillars: (1) develop a governance framework and institutional policy on open science, including regulatory updates and incentives for researchers; (2) implement interoperable infrastructure to manage and preserve research data and publications; (3) deliver a comprehensive training program incorporating pedagogical strategies, specialized reference services, and ethics and integrity practices; and (4) expand visibility and networking to position UANDES in national and international open science communities, while engaging civil society.
Expected outcomes include a formalized institutional open access policy, fully operational repositories, systematic training, and active participation in global networks—strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing research visibility, and embedding open science principles across the academic community.

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

1. Identify strategies for implementing governance frameworks, infrastructure, and training programs that support the adoption of open science practices within higher education institutions.
2. Assess approaches to building institutional capacity and global networks that enhance research visibility, promote data sharing, and engage civil society in advancing open science.

Track: International Collaborations 

Speaker(s): Pia Trivelli, UANDES Open Science Project Executive Director, Universidad de los Andes, Dr. Carolina Melo, UANDES Library Director and UANDES Open Science Project Director, Universidad de los Andes

Content level: Advanced

Learning objectives:

1. Examine the role of communication strategies in disseminating research findings to policymakers, healthcare providers, and the public.
2. Assess the impact of stakeholder engagement, including community involvement, in enhancing the relevance and uptake of research. 
3. Identify key enablers and barriers to achieving research impact within the context of The Gambia and similar settings

Track: Output Driven Research

Speaker(s): Abdoulie Sohna, Project Manager, Mrc At Lsthhm, Dembo Kanteh, Acting Head of the Research Support Office and Head of Strategic Partnership, Medical Research Council Gambia, Isatou Foon, Program Manager, Medical Research Council

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Develop a common understanding of the due diligence process and the challenges it poses to developing research institutions. 
2. Identify practical steps that can be taken to support institutions undergoing due diligence successfully improve their governance systems 

Track: Regulatory Landscapes

Speaker(s): Elizabeth Batchilly, Director of Operations,  WARIMA

Content level: Intermediate 

Learning objectives:

1. Identify mechanisms to improve AI capacity for researchers through an institutional framework.
2. Describe why policies on AI use in research are needed and what they should include.

Track: RMA Futurescapes

Speaker(s): Stacy Pritt, Associate Vice Chancellor & Chief Research Compliance Officer, Texas A&M University System, Dr. Henry Fadamiro, Associate Vice President for Research, Strategic Initiatives, Division of Research, Professor, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Texas A&M University

Populations from developing countries have traditionally been underrepresented in global clinical research, which affects clinical decision-making, creates inequities, limits knowledge about efficacy and safety, restricts local research, and impacts access.
Developing local clinical trials to close these knowledge gaps can be highly costly, often beyond the budgetary and infrastructure capacities of developing countries. The lower complexity and cost of observational research make it more feasible in lower-income settings. Despite its lower cost, accessing funds to conduct observational research in developing countries can still be challenging
Observational research can help reduce the gap and improve inclusion and representativeness by generating data from underrepresented populations, increasing equity in clinical evidence by providing real-world data that inform efficacy and safety, enabling better health decisions, and strengthening local capacity so that populations from developing countries are better represented in global biomedical innovation.
This presentation aims to share the experience of observational research funded by pharma in a middle-income country and its impact on generating data from underrepresented populations in clinical research. It is particularly useful to demonstrate how high-impact research can be conducted when the economic resources of pharma are combined with the infrastructure and other capabilities of local research centers.

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Examine how observational research can address the underrepresentation of developing country populations in global clinical research.
2. Understand the barriers pharma-funded observational research faces in closing evidence gaps in developing countries.

Track: Sponsors & Funding Agencies

Speaker(s): Dr. Luz Eugenia Pérez, Director data science and epidemiology, Biociencias SURA, Carlos Andrés Agudelo, Managing director, Biociencias SURA

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Provide actionable recommendations to strengthen institutional policies and support a more robust Sponsored Research framework in Higher Education Institutions.
2. Build an action plan that prioritizes 3 quick-win integrations or policy updates (e.g., department-level ORCID collection practice, repository push of DOIs with ORCID iDs, CRIS-to-ORCID affiliation assertions)

Track: Output Driven Research

Speaker(s): Dr. Paloma Marín-Arraiza, Associate Director of Engagement, ORCID, Ivo Wijnbergen, Director of Engagement, ORCID

Research administration is an increasingly recognized profession, with established degrees and certifications in some regions. Yet worldwide, many institutions—especially universities—must operate without such structured career pipelines. This reality requires leaders to look beyond conventional hiring pools to find and develop talent. Professionals in NGOs, community programs, government agencies, and other administrative settings often possess transferable skills that can translate seamlessly into research administration, even if the profession is not formally established in their context. This session, tailored primarily for university research administrators but relevant across sectors, explores how to recognize administrative talent in under-recognized global communities, reframe job requirements, and build inclusive recruitment pipelines that expand opportunities across borders. Through practical frameworks, and interactive exercises, participants will gain tools to strengthen their own teams by tapping into overlooked global talent and cultivating robust, diverse offices that reflect the international nature of research.

Content level: Immediate 

Learning objectives:

1. Identify transferable skills and core competencies in diverse, non-traditional backgrounds that are applicable to research administration roles.
2. Design inclusive recruitment and mentorship strategies that build a globally representative, resilient research administration workforce.

Track: Professional Development

Leadership Certificate Required Session: LD-IV: Recruitment and Retention

Speaker(s): Kathleen Furr, Associate Vice President for Research, Oklahoma University - Heath Campus, Rashid Khan, Research Finance Specialist, Khalifa University, Ingrid Liekens, Director of Research Services, American University of Sharjah

Content level: Immediate

Learning objectives:

1. Analyze real-world challenges and successes in managing complex collaborations.
2. Apply key tools and templates in their own institutional settings.

Track: International Collaborations

Speaker: Ali Hussaini, Senior Grants Manager, Aga Khan University

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Understand how responsible research assessment principles may or may not be applied across diverse institutional contexts
2. Identify key drivers and barriers influencing the incentivization of research assessment practices within varied regulatory and resource environments

Track: Output Driven Research

Speaker(s): William Bramwell, Senior Policy and Networks Manager, INORMS Research Evaluation Group / Association of Commonwealth Universities

Content level: Intermediate 

Learning objectives:

1. Identify the most salient audit and compliance areas when participating in US-government-funded projects
2. Deploy strategies to mitigate risk of noncompliance with US government funding terms

Track: Regulatory Landscapes

Speaker(s): William Ferreira, Partner, Hogan Lovells

Content level: Advanced

Learning objectives:

1. Charting a path toward increased non-traditional domestic financial resource mobilization, efficiency, equity, and sustainability strategic actions, to strengthen domestic financing innovative mechanisms reforms and policies.
2. Call for action on the urgency of adopting non-traditional homegrown, sustainable solutions to government, corporate body, investors, firms, experts and policymakers, financial institutions, researcher, philanthropists, diaspora and essentially strategic.

Track: RMA Futurescapes

Speaker: Dr. Ernest Tambo, Implementation MERL and Grants Writer, University of Global Health Equity

Coming soon

This session explores the complex regulatory frameworks governing clinical trials and the export of clinical trial materials and technologies. It will address compliance challenges faced by institutions conducting international research, with a focus on navigating export controls, ethical approvals, and cross-border data and material transfers. No names suggested, but I'm sure there will be several ideas.

Track: Regulatory Landscapes

Speaker: Allen Mukhwana, Head of Programmes, Science Knowledge in Society, Science for Africa Foundation 

Coming Soon

The CHAIN Network is a Global South-led research collaboration focused on understanding child mortality in Africa and South Asia. Coordinated from Nairobi, Kenya, it brought together multidisciplinary teams across countries in Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, Burkina Faso), Asia (Bangladesh, Pakistan), and partners in Europe and North America. CHAIN faced and addressed several key challenges common in international research partnerships, including aligning budgets with actual work at local sites, clarifying roles across diverse institutions, ensuring inclusive and equitable decision-making, and managing power dynamics with Global North donors. Through transparent governance, locally driven priority-setting, and fair resource distribution, CHAIN maintained scientific integrity while empowering leadership from the Global South. The network offers a valuable model for future consortia aiming to build sustainable research capacity and leadership in low- and middle-income countries, demonstrating that impactful, equitable collaboration is possible when local voices are central to the research process.

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

1. Understand the unique challenges faced by Global South-led research collaborations, particularly in multi-country, multidisciplinary contexts.
2. Apply lessons from CHAIN to design or improve collaborative research models that prioritize local ownership and capacity building

Track: International Collaborations

Speaker: Martin Muthomi, Programme Manager, Strategy and Planning, KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme

Research Management Offices are no longer just administrative units; they are evolving into strategic partners driving institutional excellence. This session focuses on how research offices can leverage data analytics and open science principles to strengthen decision-making and compliance—without requiring technical expertise.
Participants will explore practical strategies to transition from static spreadsheets to actionable intelligence, using dashboards to monitor proposal pipelines, success rates, ROI, and collaborations. The discussion emphasizes what to measure, why it matters, and how RMAs can lead the process, even if they are not IT specialists.
The session also introduces the emerging role of Open Data Stewards—professionals within research offices responsible for data sharing compliance, FAIR principles, and open science mandates. These roles are increasingly critical as global funders (EU Horizon, NIH, QNRF) require Data Management Plans and transparency in research outputs.
Attendees will leave with a clear roadmap for building a data-driven and compliance-ready research office, applicable to institutions across the GCC and beyond. By focusing on strategy, governance, and collaboration, RMAs can champion digital transformation and position their organizations for global competitiveness.

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Identify key research KPIs and how they influence institutional strategy.
2. Understand the steps to plan dashboards without technical skills. 3.Explain the importance and responsibilities of Open Data Stewards for compliance and transparency.

Track: Output Driven Research

Speaker(s): Anu Kuriakose, Proposal Lead, Sponsored Research Office, HBKU 

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

1. Evaluate research behaviours and institutional practices to identify risks and opportunities for fostering integrity across disciplines and international contexts.
2. Apply strategies and global frameworks to promote responsible research practices and support a culture of integrity within their own institutions.

Track: Regulatory Landscapes

Speaker(s): Floris van der Leest, Manager, Research Performance Information, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sidney Engelbrecht, Senior Research Compliance Specialist, King Abdullah University of Science & Technology

Amid Lebanon’s polycrisis, AUB’s Office of Research (OR) demonstrated the ability to not only survive but to lead in institutional innovation. Through strategic resource use and dynamic capabilities, it ensured research excellence& sustainability. The session provides a roadmap for similar institutions seeking resilience and strategic advantage in challenging contexts and emphasizes the role of the OR at AUB in sustaining the institution’s research productivity, resource mobilization, and strategic positioning during ongoing simultaneous crises. It aims to examine the capacity of the AUB OR to activate and reconfigure its research-derived resources in response to crisis, assess how the OR’s internal resources (e.g., staff, processes, infrastructure, collaborative networks) function as strategic assets in ensuring continuity and analyze the application of dynamic capabilities to adapt research management strategies. Key coping strategies to secure funding, support research excellence, and maintain stakeholder engagement, will be identified, and best practices for research offices on how to operate effectively under extreme external pressure shall be exposed.

Content level: Basics

Learning objectives:

1. Understand how strategic resource use and dynamic capabilities can be used by Offices of Research to leverage their role achieving sustainable research excellence, in spite of crises.
2. Adopt actionable insights for enhancing operational efficiency in managing research at their institutions to remain agile and adapt to change.

Track: RMA Futurescapes

Speaker(s): May Awar, Director Sponsored Programs & Technology Transfer, American University of Beirut

Evaluating research programs is crucial for determining a program's effectiveness, efficiency, and impact, leading to informed decision-making, continuous improvement, and better resource allocation. By understanding the successes and failures of a program, decision-makers can guide future planning, resource allocation, and policy development. Evaluation provides actionable recommendations to enhance program design, delivery, and outcomes, ensuring they meet the needs of the target audience. Program evaluations demonstrate transparency and accountability to stakeholders, funders, and the public by showing the results of invested resources. Evaluation determines if a program is achieving its objectives, producing the desired results, and using its resources effectively. Insights from evaluations help identify best practices, discontinue ineffective strategies Demonstrating a program's impact and effectiveness provides a solid basis for securing continued or new funding from investors and other sources. Evaluations also allow for the collection of feedback from researchers and other stakeholders to understand their experiences and gauge the program's suitability for its intended purpose within the framework of a given institution. The Session would aim at presenting how institutions create and navigate these evaluations. Three presenters from different Institutions, would make 15-minute presentations with 15 minutes allowed for questions.

Content level: Advanced

Learning objectives:

1. Understand the importance of 360 evaluation of research programs
2. Understand that different models of research program evaluations are available and the differences amongst them

Track: Sponsors & Funding Agencies 

Speaker(s): Dr. Luis Rizzo, Director of Research and Development, Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein, Dr. Antonio Coutinho, Fundação Champalimaud, Patrice Debre, Advisor to AVIESAN, the Delegation of International Relations and the Directorate of Clinical Research and Innovation, AP-H

Know your audience and who you are messaging to; how to message and support your research and not adjusting messaging simply to secure funding; social media aspect of messaging and identifying what form of messaging is best for you; how to know what to believe and not believe in messaging 

Learning objectives:

1. Navigate the mapping and crossroads between and among the regulatory aspects of conflict of interest, research security, other support and research misconduct
2. Parse the differences between the regulatory investigations environment and the historical financial audit process

Track: RMA Futurescapes

Speaker(s): Denise Clark, Associate Vice President for Research Administration, University of Maryland 

African research managers are operating in a dynamic and increasingly complex environment. With domestic funding becoming more competitive and international sources constrained by global budget cuts, the profession must evolve to remain strategically relevant. Research management professionals are vital to shaping equitable programmes, securing partnerships, and demonstrating the value of research and innovation across the continent. However, responses to these challenges vary widely across institutions and countries.
This presentation introduces the International Professional Recognition Council (IPRC), an Africa-led initiative that recognises and elevates research managers through a peer-reviewed, competency-based framework. By aligning professional standards with continental realities and supporting initiatives, the IPRC is building a coherent, visible cohort of skilled practitioners. The session will explore how professional recognition strengthens institutional capacity, enhances research governance, and drives innovation—ultimately contributing to a more resilient and impactful African research ecosystem.

Content level: Advanced

Learning objectives:

1. Understand the evolving role of RMAs in Africa’s research ecosystem.
2. Gain insight into the IPRC’s recognition framework and professional designations.

Speaker(s):Pamisha Pillay, Director: Research & Consulting Services, Wits Enterprise, Karin Dyason, SARIMA, Garry Aslanyan, TDR/WHO

Content level: Coming Soon

Learning objectives:

Coming Soon

Speaker(s): Hemansi , Research Administrator, Ashoka University, Amanda Breeden, Associate Chief, Research, Denver Health & Hospital Authority, Nicole Quartiero, Director, Research Project Management, Notre Dame

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Exploring Innovative Work Practices: Understanding new methodologies in the current research environment and how they can enhance resilience.
2. Identifying Essential Skills: Recognizing the competencies required for becoming a dynamic and adaptable research manager or administrator.

Speaker(s): Dr. Madhuri Dutta, Head Strategic Partnerships and Commissioned Research, The George Institute for Global Health, Rosemary Madnick, Vice President, Research Administration, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation

Learning objectives:

1. Understand how science diplomacy practices enhance international research collaboration and explore opportunities and challenges of managing research in emerging technologies.
2.  Gain insights into funding options available for global engagement, with a focus on EU and Middle East initiatives and learn practical strategies for fostering sustainable, trust-based partnerships across diverse research ecosystems.

Speaker(s): Dr. Luca Polizzi, Manager Strategy and Program Reviews, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Silke Blohm, Director, 4Sciences Group Ltd

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

1. Practical Problem-Solving Framework: Learn to apply systematic design thinking to daily research administration challenges
2.  Stakeholder Engagement Strategies: Techniques for facilitating collaborative solution development with researchers, faculty,

Track: Professional Development

Leadership Certificate Required Session: LD-VIII: Risk Management and Compliance

Speaker(s): Carmelita Sylvester, Centre Manager, University of Cape Town, CIDER, Jacqueline Sylvester, University of Cape Town

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Understand some of the barriers to effective research management and administration across diverse regions.
2. Be more skillful in developing international research administration partnerships to better support international research collaborations at their institutions.

Track: International Collaborations

Speaker(s): Kathleen Halvorsen, Associate Vice President for Research, Integrity and Facilities Michigan, Eme Owoaje, Professor of Public Health, The University of Ibadan, María Cid, Director of Institutional Partnerships and Interdisciplinarity, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Pete Larsen, Associate Vice President for Research, Development, Michigan Technological University

This interactive session will explore how implementation research in resource-limited settings can be translated into impactful, community-based health models. Drawing on the case study of Tele_ESSI, a school-based epilepsy intervention from India, participants will examine how research design, stakeholder engagement, and digital tools can drive real-world change. Through group activities and strategic mapping, attendees will analyze barriers and enablers to implementation and create practical pathways for translating their own research into sustainable impact. The session will emphasize actionable strategies for engaging communities, tracking outcomes, and aligning academic research with societal needs—especially in the context of global health disparities. Participants will receive a digital toolkit to apply these approaches in their own institutions or collaborations.

Content level: Advanced

Learning objectives:

1. Describe strategies for designing and implementing impact-driven research in low-resource settings.
2. Identify enablers and barriers to community-based neurological or NCD intervention scale-up and apply a structured mapping tool to link research outputs with real-world societal impact.

Track: Output Driven Research

Speaker(s):Sulena Sulena, Doctor, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, 

This session will explore the evolving landscape of research security and dual-use technologies through a comparative lens, examining legal and policy frameworks across Asia, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and the United States. Participants will gain insights into how different regions define and regulate dual-use research, manage institutional risks, and balance scientific openness with national security imperatives. The discussion will highlight best practices and emerging trends to help research managers navigate compliance and foster responsible international collaboration.

Track: Regulatory Landscapes

Speaker(s): Coming Soon

The Clinical Research Enterprise (CRE) was established six years ago as a small, shared service team with just 8 staff members, supporting 3 divisions within the Department of Medicine. Today, our team has grown to nearly 60 staff, now providing comprehensive support to 6 divisions within the Department of Medicine and 8 additional departments across the Heersink School of Medicine. As our scope of work expanded, the traditional methods of tracking and reporting clinical trial activities became insufficient. With over 100 Principal Investigators under our purview, it became imperative to develop a more efficient and streamlined approach to managing and communicating trial data. 
While most institutions utilize clinical trial management software, these systems often have multiple potential failure points and rarely provide all pertinent details. As clinical trial management has become increasingly nuanced, with multiple vendors involved in study startup, the need for transparent and accurate tracking has become more complex. To address these challenges and meet industry demands, we leveraged free, open-source tools to automate and enhance data tracking. This initiative has not only reduced inefficiencies and staff frustration but has also empowered investigators and leadership with clearer, more accurate insights into their clinical trial portfolios. The result has been a marked increase in confidence and improved communication between our shared service team and the divisions and departments we support.
By integrating these open-source tools with our institution's existing clinical trial management software, we have created resources that can be developed and managed by clinical trial administrators, regardless of their technical expertise. These tools have been successfully implemented within our large, shared service team, the Clinical Research Enterprise (CRE), to support the six divisions and eight departments we currently collaborate with. We believe these resources can be adopted in full or in an ad-hoc manner to benefit administrators across a variety of settings.
These resources have been well received by divisional and departmental leadership, investigators, and our clinical trial support staff. We have successfully reduced the time spent on administrative tasks while providing greater transparency to our collaborators. This has enabled the CRE to operate more efficiently and deliver excellent customer service through an easily reproducible, scalable, and cost-free platform.

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Identify and utilize cost-effective data management tools to enhance research efficiency
2. Implement automation techniques using scripts and AI tools to reduce manual workload.

Track: RMA Ruturescapes

Speaker(s): T. Patrick Frazier, Director of Clinical Research, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Robert Adkins, Clinical Research Administrator II, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Sarah Houston, Research Nurse Manager, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Cindy Joiner, Vice Chair Research Operations & Development, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Jane Vines, Research Nurse Coordinator III, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Insights into regional funding restrictions whether it be from an operations perspective or from the perspective of developing research collaborations with institutions with regional restrictions. 
2. Build-in strategies in Sponsor, Pre-Award and Post-Award operations for research award success.

Track: Sponsors & Funding Agencies

Speaker(s): Jaiyana Bux, Acting Associate Director Internal Programs & Research Development, Khalifa University

The session will be a case study identifying key research priorities and aligning them with institutional goals. The session will walk attendees through the process of: engaging with stakeholders, defining measurable outcomes, and the methodologies for resource allocation for developing and implementing an organizational research strategy. Using real world examples from academic medical centers; attendees will understand how developing a research strategy that the meets the needs of the community and is understood by the community and can impact both the organization and the local community. 

Content level: Advanced 

Learning objectives:

1. Develop a Research Strategy
2. Communicate a Research Strategy to the community

Track: Output Driven Research

Speaker(s): Marcos Garza, Assistant VP of Research Operations, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine

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Content level: Xxxxxxx

Learning objectives:

1. Xxxxxxx
2. Xxxxxxx

Track: Xxxxxxx

Speaker(s): Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Compare diverse professional development models and approaches for Research Managers and Administrators, and gain insights into how elements of these models can be adapted to your own context.
2. Apply practical principles from international case studies to design or strengthen scalable, sustainable, and culturally responsive professional development pathways within your institution.

Track: Professional Development

Speaker(s): Olaf Svenningsen, Independent Research Advisor, Research Lighthouse, Ellen Schenk, Research Funding Advisor, DrEAMS Funding Consultancy, Luke Banda,Senior Project Manager, Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme, Melissa Nakiyaga, Grants Officer Makerere University, School of Public Health, Jackie Nakabira, Makerere Lung Institute, MLI, Ivan Mutyaba, Departmental administrator and UASP fellow, Makerere University, Martina Savio, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, LSTM, Shruti Srivastava, Senior Manager Ashoka University 

Moderator: Floris van der Leest, Manager, Research Performance Information, University of the Sunshine Coast

Content level: Advanced

Learning objectives:

1. List the importance of international collaborations and partnerships.
2. State the necessary steps to take to establish and sustain international collaborations. 

Track: International Collaborations

Speaker(s): Griselda Osae Amoako, Principal Research Administrative Assistant, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Nana Oye Akuffo, Senior Research Development Officer, University of Ghana

Track: Output Drive Research

Speaker(s): Coming Soon

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Understand how regional variations in data protection frameworks impact international research collaboration and open science practices.
2. Identify practical strategies for managing cross-border data transfers and compliance requirements across different jurisdictions.

Track: Regulatory Landscapes

Speaker(s): Goret Paulo, Director, Fundacao Getulio Vargas, Rob Johnson, Managing Director, University of Nottingham

Content level: Intermediate 

Learning objectives:

1. Gain practical strategies for embedding digital tools responsibly and sustainably.
2. gain insights into how systems like REMSYS can future-proof research management functions while ultimately enhancing efficiency, accountability, and operational oversight in research administration.

Track: RMA Futurescapes

Speaker(s): Caroline Potin-Sambou, Program Manage, MRC Unit Gambia, LSHTMr

Track: Sponsors & Funding Agencies

Speaker(s): Coming Soon

This session will unpack timely and emerging concerns in the oversight and ethical governance of human subjects research, with a focus on how regulatory frameworks are evolving regionally and internationally in response to scientific innovation, geopolitical shifts, and societal demands for accountability and equity. Session speakers can examine recent developments in data privacy laws, emerging technologies, big data, and/or Indigenous Knowledge Systems and community-based research. 

Track: Regulatory Landscapes

Speaker: Lama Choufani, Assistant Director, Research Ethics and Governance, New York University Abu Dhabi

This presentation examines how research administrators, leaders, and support offices can effectively navigate periods of financial uncertainty and organizational volatility while also addressing the growing challenge of change fatigue within research institutions. Participants will gain insight into how shifting funding environments and government mandates contribute to organizational “whitewater,” often resulting in change fatigue. Through shared strategies and active discussion, attendees will learn approaches for developing resilient employees and strengthening institutional support structures. By integrating resilience-building practices with agile research management, this session will equip attendees with tools to maintain research momentum and support their teams amid ongoing and future change.

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Participants will identify key drivers of rapid change and coping mechanisms to stabilize research programs. 
2. Participants will learn the tools to develop a personalized/organizational resilience plan. 

Track: Professional Development

Leadership Certificate Required Session: LD-I: Change Management/LD-VII: Employee Engagement (Culture)

Speaker(s): Lakeisha Wilson, Senior Program Administrator, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Elizabeth Demski, Assistant Provost and Director of Sponsored Research, Wellesley College,

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Gaining a deeper understanding of the factors that influence the establishment of international collaboration, particularly across diverse contexts.
2. Developing more effective plans when establishing international collaboration

Track: International Development

Speaker(s): Trang Vo, Senior Grants Officer, University of Oxford

Content level: Advanced

Learning objectives:

1. Understand the Process of Leveraging International Cooperation for Science Communication Strategy in National Research Management Administration (RMA) Partnerships in African Research Universities
2. Appreciate the role of science communication in promoting research communication by university academics in Africa and globally

Track: Output Driven Research

Speaker(s): Dr. Wilson Okaka, Professor, Kyambogo University, Aminah Namugenyi, PhD  Scholar, Kyambogo University

Track: Regulatory Landscapes

Speaker(s): Coming Soon

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Understand how AI workflow automation can be applied to financial management in large international research grants, using the NFRF-T case study as an example.
2.  Identify key strategies for operationalizing financial intelligence across borders, including forecasting and automated reporting to strengthen international collaboration and turning data into decisions.

Track: RMA Futurescapes

Speaker(s): Anna Kalakutskaya, Associate Finance Director, FOFA Concordia University

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Strengthen the selection process of research proposal for funding by the global research councils.
2. Learn on how to strengthen the selection process of research proposal for funding by the global research councils.

Track: Sponsors & Funding Agencies 

Speaker(s): Philbert Luhunga, Chief Research Officer, Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology

Coming Soon

Content level: Advanced

Learning objectives:

1. Describe the research administration and management landscape in LMICs in South and Southeast Asia
2. Understand capacity building strategies that can enhance equitable partnership between well-resourced, and less well-resourced research organizations.

Track: Professional Development

Speaker(s): Katrina Lawson, Grants and Communications Manager, Oxford University, David Gandy, Grants and Contracts Manager, Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Diana Janizar, Senior Grants and Contracts Administrator, OUCRU

Content level: Basic

Learning objectives:

1. Learn how to build a strategy to deliver an efficient RCS (research capacity strengthening) and knowledge exchange program embedding trust building, team building and effective communication
2. Understand the use of dashboards for tracking performance and internal communication and process metrics

Track: International Collaborations

Speaker(s): Sarah Iqbal, Research Manager George Institute for Global Health, Aakanksha Mehrotra, Project Manager (Research Capacity Strengthening), George Institute for Global Health

A decade if research impact at the University of Limerick, Ireland Since 2014, University of Limerick (UL) has been growing its research impact program to become a cornerstone of organizational strategy and identity. A national leader in the research impact agenda, UL’s Research Impact program is in line with international best practice (OECD 2017). Through this program, we have developed a library of case studies demonstrating our excellent research and its impact across a range of sectors. We continue to evolve how impact is recognized. Key initiatives include the President’s Research Excellence and Impact Awards recognizing outstanding research collaborations, early-career researchers and research outputs. Our research impact program has been enhanced to include mechanisms to support and enhance the impact journey across all career stages, including case study development, public engagement activities, Research Week, and our awards scheme.
In this presentation Christine Brennan, Research Strategy and Policy Manager, Yvonne Kiely, Research Impact Officer UL will provide an overview of how organizational strategy was realized and sustained by forging synergistic collaborations between academics and professional staff.
We share what we’ve learned across strategic planning, case study development, staff research awards, research communications and engagement activities and highlight how global agendas such as reform of research assessment, Open Science have shaped the journey for the better.

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Identify factors which are critical for building research impact/knowledge valorization into organizational strategy
2. Highlighting the role RMA can play in the impact agenda and the skills which are central to this.

Track: Output Driven Research

Speaker(s): Yvonne Kiely, Research Impact Officer University of Limerick, Christine Brennan, Research Strategy and Policy Manager, University of Limerick

In a world of trade wars, kinetic wars, funding instability, ethical research and security concerns, how does an institution maintain and ensure successful research collaborations across national borders. What are the top risks facing international research today and what tools we can use to mitigate those global risks? From dollars to data and the ethical quandaries in between, this session will use a discussion/case study format to identify top risks facing research in different countries and identify solutions to navigate those risks.

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Identify up to five top risks in international research
2. Identify tools and options to mitigate risks in international research

Track: Regulatory Landscapes

Speaker(s): Cindy Kiel, Chief Conflicts Officer, Stanford University

With the growing trend of AI's engagement in various professions, professionals across the World are in a state of dubiousness. Same goes for Research Administration as a profession. Research Administrators and faculty members need to think ahead and plan for the integration of AI into research and grants administration and hence this study aims to study the perceptions of investigators and research administrators in AI replacing the role of research administrators in three countries (Canada, United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan). This multi site study, through a self administrated questionnaire will ask specific questions from investigators and research administrators to understand their perceptions, apprehensions, concerns and then analyze the data using selected Focus Group Discussions with a sub-sample. The study will be completed by Feb 2026.

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Identify how investigators and research administrators perceive AI might or might not replace the role of research administrators
2. Understand how these perceptions would help the research administrator community prepare for the future

Track: RMA Futurescapes

Speaker(s): Sajjad Surani, Research Administrators, University of Calgary, Mir Asghar Ali Khan, Consultant and Former Director Research, National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Muhammad Rashid Khan, Finance Specialist, Khalifa University

Co-presented with Dr. Kiki Caruson, Vice President of USF World on the impact of international scholars, a thought leader for academic and global audiences on economic resiliency, our subject matter experts speak to the risks and best practices for countering the strain facing global research management. Acknowledging global competitiveness, unpacking ERASMUS funding and providing practical insights to diversified funding portfolios as well as fresh ideas that reflect and respond to the dynamic global research environment. 

Content level: Intermediate

Learning objectives:

1. Strategies to Bridge the Unmet Demands for Sustainable funding of Global Research
2. Diversify Funding Portfolio to Strengthen Resiliency for Science and Innovation

Track: Sponsors & Funding Agencies

Speaker(s): Sandra Justice, Director, University of South Florida, Dr. Kiki Caruson, Vice President, USF World, University of South Florida

Coming Soon