How to Write for the Catalyst?

SRAI’s monthly electronic newsletter, the Catalyst, informs readers of SRAI’s extensive conference and educational offerings, recognizes members for their achievements and provides a space to network, learn more about the structure, functions, and people of SRAI, and features insights from top professionals in research management and administration.

Catalyst includes many different types of articles of interest to SRAI members. It is helpful to take a look at the past newsletters to get an idea for style and content.  

Possible topics of interest and relevance to SRAI members about the Society

• Updates around Sections, Chapters, Divisions and Committees
• Recaps from meetings with picture materials and testimonials (if available)
• Membership benefits explained
• Upcoming professional development opportunities
• Blog style articles (i.e. A Day in the Work-life of an SRAI Member series): These short articles share your experiences, challenges and successes from every day in research administration. Some possible topics include: How you and your colleagues are implementing new standards, policies; challenges that research administrators face in their careers; or a new technology, resource, or strategy that you are implementing in your office.
• Review of a book, resource, or technology that you think would benefit other research administrators.

Possible topics of interest and relevance to SRAI members about Research Administration

• Reflections on professional development activities such as conferences, workshops, or participation in a transformative professional learning community. Articles should include who presented, what you learned, and how it has influenced your career.
• Sponsored Project Administration: Pre-award, Proposal Development
• Financial Management: Award acceptance, Post-award, Effort Reporting
• Research Integrity and Compliance: RCR, Research Subject Protections [IRB, IACUC, IBC, ESCRO], Compliance Review
• Professional Development: Leadership, Mentoring, Conflict Resolution, Stress Reduction
• Research Law: Regulations, Contracts, FCOI, Export Control, Information and Data Security
• Management and Operations: Core Facilities, Metrics, Strategic Planning, Training
• Clinical Research Administration
• Technology Transfer: IP, Patents, Commercialization
• Dealing with US and non-US Funding Agencies (Governmental and Private)

Formatting

• Links to longer stories or more information are acceptable.
• Although we consider articles of any length, 400 – 500 words is optimal.
• Include a specific title that describes the main idea of your article and is attractive to the reader.
• Break longer articles into chunks using descriptive headings to separate them.
• Consider writing 2-part articles to be published in two consecutive issues of the newsletter. *All parts of multi-part articles must be submitted prior to any publication.
• Pictures and images make your article more eye-catching and engaging.  Be sure that you have a photo release for any pictures that include other people.
• Be sure to cite any sources you used in preparation of your article.  It is also important to give credit to the original author(s).  If you are not sure who the original author is, you may note that it was “an unknown source.”
• Use a conversational tone and avoid jargon.

How to Submit

Submit your article through the online platform here

When to Submit

• We accept articles all month long. Submission deadline is the third Monday of the month to be included in the following month’s issue.
• The monthly electronic newsletter is sent out the second Thursday of every month (or earlier due to an upcoming holiday).

Right to Publish Agreement

All newsletter contributors must agree to a "Right to Publish" agreement (through the online submission platform), granting the association permission to publish the material in the SRAI newsletter.