Program

Program

The program for the SRAI Global Research Management Summit includes six tracks tailored specifically for research management professionals. Our goal is to bring together research management professionals, investigators, and sponsors from around the globe to explore emerging trends, share insights, and strengthen our collective impact on research and innovation. We invite proposals—case studies, workshops, panel discussions, and interactive sessions—that can illuminate challenges, showcase successful strategies, and forge meaningful connections. 

1. Sponsors & Funding Agencies: Bridging perspectives to secure and manage global funding

• • Gain valuable insights: The track explores the perspectives, priorities, and expectations of diverse funding agencies—public, private, and philanthropic. Sessions will showcase best practices for effective communication with sponsors, understanding funding landscapes, and strategies for securing and managing grants. 

  • Engage in dialogue: Connect with international private and public funders and those receiving funding to enhance understanding between sponsors and research organizations.

2. Research Management and Administration (RMA) Futurescapes: Shaping RMA’s future through emerging technologies and new organizational frameworks 

• • Explore emerging technologies: Dynamic and interactive sessions will dive into the use of emerging technologies and systems as crucial components for the future of research management. Emphasis will be placed on integrating AI and machine learning tools to streamline operations while considering the ethical challenges that come with the use of such tools. 

  • Transform research management offices: Discover how shifting from traditional hierarchies to adaptive, agile structures can help RMAs remain resilient in a rapidly evolving global research ecosystem.

3. Professional Development: Building leadership capacity and professional capabilities in research management

• • Cultivate a skilled RMA workforce: This track emphasizes both individual development and building successful teams. Participate in leadership training, skill-building workshops, and mentorship sessions designed to prepare you for advancement in research management.

  • Adapt to hybrid and multi-national environments: Explore strategies for effective collaboration among globally dispersed teams increasingly hybrid and multi-national environment with team members placed worldwide. Learn how to manage communication channels, cultural nuances, and virtual workflows.
  • Professionalism and recognition: Understand how professionalization efforts—from certification programs to peer recognition—can elevate the status and influence of RMAs worldwide.

4. Regulatory Landscapes: Navigating evolving regulations for ethical, compliant research

• • Explore the complex world of research regulations: This track provides in-depth analyses of current standards, emerging policies, and future trends across different regions. Stay informed and compliant in this age of growing international collaboration. 

  • Navigate cross-border complexities: Emphasis will be placed on understanding the interface between different regulatory systems and practices across borders. Sessions will highlight strategies for effective collaboration that respect local laws, ethics, and institutional policies.

  • Perspectives on regional variations: Compare and contrast regulatory requirements in regions such as MENA, Africa, and Asia, providing professionals with nuanced insights into local best practices.

5. International cooperation: Building impactful research collaborations across borders

• • Foster equitable international collaborations: This track explores methods for creating and sustaining fair partnerships among funding bodies, research organizations, and communities. Identify how to promote mutual benefit and shared decision-making.

  • Enhance research development: Share and gain practical tips for topics such as grant writing, funding strategies, budget development, and grant submissions that foster interdisciplinary collaboration in a global research environment.

  • Navigate cultural and ethical dimensions: Understand the cultural and ethical considerations involved in international research collaborations, ensuring respectful and effective cooperation's across borders.

6. Output-Driven Research (TTI, Impact, Community Engagement): Driving impact and community engagement in research

• • Highlight the shift to output-driven research: Discuss strategies for leveraging research discoveries to address local and global challenges. Share insights on technology transfer, commercialization, and strategic partnerships that turn ideas into viable solutions.

  • Explore approaches to measuring and maximizing impact: This track will also examine methods for assessing research impact while critically evaluating performance indicators. Sessions will cover assessment tools, techniques for amplifying research findings, and strategies to ensure research contributes to societal and scientific progress.

  • Discuss changes in publication requirements: This track provides a platform to discuss these changes and examine trends toward open access, public dissemination, and the budgetary implications of making research widely available. 

Interactive Workshops and Masterclasses
Engage in hands-on, practical sessions designed to address the challenges faced by research management professionals. These sessions will equip you with actionable strategies and tools. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!