Blogs

Volume LVI, Number 2 - From the Editor's Desk

SRAI Journal of Research Administration Volume LVI, Number 2 From the Editor's Desk Author Jennifer E. Taylor, Ph.D., M.B.A. Rush Medical Center and University The Journal of Research Administration (JRA) is the premier scholarly publication in research administration and management. We publish timely, essential work that enhances the knowledge base for research administration and supports research administrators worldwide, making JRA a crucial resource for career development as well as to grow the overall knowledge base for the field. Our contributors share best practices and innovative strategies to help research administrators worldwide ...
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The Needs And Challenges of the Research Administrator Workforce

Volume LVI, Number 2 The Needs And Challenges of the Research Administrator Workforce Jennifer E. Woodward, PhD University of Pittsburgh Evan Roberts Society of Research Administrators International Abstract Research administrators are integral to the research enterprise, yet the profession remains hindered by the absence of standardized job titles, responsibilities, and compensation frameworks. These inconsistencies drive turnover, restrict career progression, and weaken institutional efficiency. The findings and recommendations from a three-phase National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded GRANTED conference are presented in this study. ...
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Ghostwriting Grants: Uncovering the Experiences of Professional Research Staff in Grant Capture

Volume LVI, Number 2 Ghostwriting Grants: Uncovering the Experiences of Professional Research Staff in Grant Capture Jacqueline M. I. Torti Centre for Education Research and Innovation, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada Kevin Oswald Centre for Education Research and Innovation, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada Farah Friesen Centre for Advancing Collaborative Healthcare & Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Mariam Hayward Western Research, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada Lorelei Lingard Centre ...
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The 2025 Research Admin Superlatives: A Lighthearted Look Back at the Year

Community & Member Engagement The 2025 Research Admin Superlatives: A Lighthearted Look Back at the Year Spotlight Story In the spirit of appreciation — and a little well-deserved humor — we present the 2025 Research Administration Superlatives, honoring the skills, strengths, and superpowers that kept our institutions running, our investigators compliant, and our sanity (mostly) intact. As research administrators, we spend our days navigating regulations, managing deadlines, translating PI urgency into actionable workflows, and occasionally performing miracles disguised as routine tasks. At the end of the year, it’s important ...
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From Sand Dunes to Skylines: Building Research Administration in Qatar

Operations & Workflow Management From Sand Dunes to Skylines: Building Research Administration in Qatar Qatar wowed the world with the 2022 FIFA World Cup — but did you know they also built a research empire in just two decades? It's like going from 'budget cuts' to 'funding surplus' in record time! When most people think of Qatar, they picture desert sand, futuristic skylines, or perhaps football stadiums. Fewer know that beneath the cranes and glass towers, a national research ecosystem has been taking shape at breakneck speed. In less than two decades, research management in Qatar has developed what took many countries generations ...
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Grant Anatomy: A Crash Course in Proposal Timelines

Grant Development & Strategy Grant Anatomy: A Crash Course in Proposal Timelines Do your faculty scramble to meet a grant deadline like Meredith Grey? Kimberly Pratt and James Taylor share how proposal timelines can transform chaos into clarity. Learn practical strategies to streamline submissions, avoid last-minute drama, and support your research team without the tears. We — Kimberly and James — first met through SRAI’s Odyssey mentoring program, and we quickly found out we’re both fans of Grey’s Anatomy. That shared interest helped build a connection, making our mentoring relationship feel more like a partnership. And while the ...
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It’s a Wonderful Life, Research Administrators Edition

Community & Member Engagement It’s a Wonderful Life, Research Administrators Edition What would the world look like without research and research administrators? Publicly funded, university-based research has long been a hallmark of the U.S. research enterprise — fueling discovery, innovation, economic growth and national security. Let's not take it for granted. Happy Holidays and Merry New Year! It’s the season to talk about snow, opening presents, holiday closures and winter breaks, or watching classic movies on endless repeats. But with the struggles that universities, researchers, and research administrators are currently ...
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Travel Trouble: Why “Just Charge It to the Grant” Isn’t Always Safe

Grant Management & Financial Oversight Travel Trouble: Why “Just Charge It to the Grant” Isn’t Always Safe Travel is one of the most common — and most confusing — categories of sponsored project expenses. Between federal regulations, sponsor-specific guidance, and institutional travel policies, it’s no wonder research administrators, PIs, and even central office staff often feel like they need a boarding pass just to navigate what’s allowable. You’ve found the conference of a lifetime—super exciting! It checks all the boxes of topics you’re interested in; you have funds available on your grant, and it’s being held in a warm, beachy ...
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Thirteen Years of Purpose: Insights from a Journey in Research Administration

Career Growth & Leadership Research Administration: Building on Your Skill Set After 13 years in research administration, I'm stepping into a new chapter. This article shares five key lessons that shaped my career (from setting boundaries to embracing growth) and offers encouragement to those exploring this rewarding, mission-driven field. Discover what makes research administration both impactful and personally fulfilling. After a deeply fulfilling career in research administration, I will be transitioning at the end of this year to pursue personal interests and new adventures. Over the past 13 years, I’ve had the privilege of working ...
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AI and the Trump Administration

Federal Pulse AI and the Trump Administration Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a central pillar of U.S. federal research strategy and that shift is reshaping what scientific discovery looks like, how agencies fund work, and how institutions need to position themselves and navigate policies and regulations relating to AI. The Trump Administration is making AI competitiveness a top national priority while AI is also a focus of state policymaking , which has the potential to create a tricky regulatory and compliance environment for research organizations to navigate. Overview of Trump Administration AI Priorities Right out ...
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Improving Post-Award Grant Management Efficiency through Process Mapping and Activity-Based Costing

Volume LVI, Number 2 Improving Post-Award Grant Management Efficiency through Process Mapping and Activity-Based Costing Ninette Kotzee Research Grants Manager, Department of Research and Innovation, University of Pretoria Prof Elda du Toit Department of Financial Management, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, University of Pretoria Abstract This case study details how the University of Pretoria’s Grant Management Unit improved post-award grant management efficiency and compliance. Using process mapping and Activity-Based Costing, the Unit identified and addressed inefficiencies, high compliance costs, and process bottlenecks. ...
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What are the Crucial Factors Explaining Job Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction in RMAs? Statistical Analysis Based on the Japanese Survey

Volume LVI, Number 2 What are the Crucial Factors Explaining Job Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction in RMAs? Statistical Analysis Based on the Japanese Survey Shin Ito, Ph.D., MBA Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo, Japan Hiroaki Hanaoka, M.A. Co-Creation Affairs Division, Department of Co-Creation Promotion, The University of Osaka, Japan Norihiro Hirata, Ph.D. Research Administration Center, Innovative Research and Liaison Organization, Shinshu University, Japan Makiko Takahashi, Ph.D. Graduate School of Innovation Management, Kanazawa Institute of Technology, Japan Abstract Research managers and administrators ...
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Reflections on AI Implementation in Research Administration: Emergent Approaches and Recommendations for Strategic and Sustainable Impact

Volume LVI, Number 2 Reflections on AI Implementation in Research Administration: Emergent Approaches and Recommendations for Strategic and Sustainable Impact Amber Hedquist Arizona State University Max Castillon Arizona State University Megan Cooper Arizona State University Valerie Keim Arizona State University Tasha Mohseni Arizona State University Kimberly Purcell Arizona State University Abstract This reflective inquiry reports on the experiences of a working group at Arizona State University (ASU) that, over the course of four months, built, integrated, and iterated artificial intelligence (AI) solutions into their ...
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Building a Culture of Grantsmanship at an Urban Community College via Internal Funding Opportunities

Volume LVI, Number 2 Building a Culture of Grantsmanship at an Urban Community College via Internal Funding Opportunities Sofia Oviedo, Ph.D. Hostos Community College, CUNY Research Programs Director, Office of the President Yoel Rodríguez, Ph.D. Hostos Community College, CUNY Chair and Professor, Natural Sciences Department Antonios Varelas, Ph.D. Hostos Community College, CUNY Professor of Psychology, Behavioral and Social Sciences Department Abstract Securing external grants is essential for the nation’s institutions of higher education where decreased funding for research and educational programs has triggered the imperative ...
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Research Authorization and Protocol Review (RAPR): A Centralized Research Review Model for Advocate Health Midwest

Volume LVI, Number 2 Research Authorization and Protocol Review (RAPR): A Centralized Research Review Model for Advocate Health Midwest Angela Navarrete-Opazo Advocate Aurora Research Institute, Advocate Health 960 N 12th Street, 4120 Milwaukee, WI 53233 414-534-7897 angela.navarreteopazo@aah.org Cheryl Lefaiver Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Advocate Health 1775 Dempster St Park Ridge IL 60068 630-817-4704 Cheryl.Lefaiver@aah.org Mercedes Robaina Advocate Aurora Research Institute, Advocate Health 960 N 12th Street, 4120 Milwaukee, WI 53233 414-534-7897 Mercedes.Robaina@aah.org Jessica Kram Academic Affairs, Advocate ...
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Conflict Resolution in Research: Turning Friction into Collaboration

Regulatory & Compliance Oversight Conflict Resolution in Research: Turning Friction into Collaboration Spotlight Story In research, conflict is inevitable—but it doesn’t have to derail progress. From protocol disputes to scheduling strains, learn how active listening, shared goals, and proactive communication can transform tension into teamwork, protecting participants, strengthening trust, and keeping studies on track. Collaboration is the real breakthrough. Research is built on partnerships, collaborations, and teamwork. Investigators, sponsors, regulatory bodies, and clinical staff often have competing priorities—and those ...
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The Importance of University Based Research and Why It is Worth Saving | Part 3: Expansion of the Profession, Management of Research, and Value to Society

Community & Member Engagement The Importance of University Based Research and Why It is Worth Saving Part 3: Expansion of the Profession, Management of Research, and Value to Society Read Part 1: Why Are We Doing All of This? Why Does Research Matter? Read Part 2: Brief History of the Research Enterprise in the U.S. Since World War II, university-based, federally funded research has driven transformative advances in science and discovery to the benefit of society and the world. In parallel, the research administration profession has grown to meet this expanding need. The bottom line: these research efforts matter—and are ...
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Research Administration: Building on Your Skill Set

Career Growth & Leadership Research Administration: Building on Your Skill Set Many of us in Research Administration found this profession by chance. This article discusses some avenues in which research administrators can build knowledge and break silos by becoming a part of the RA community. Are you new to the field of Research Administration? How can one gather skills and knowledge to build expertise to succeed? This article discusses some of the ways that are worth exploring. Reading the Uniform Guidance as a reference guide: Referring to 2 CFR 200 to find acronyms and definitions commonly used in this profession to understand ...
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Subrecipient Monitoring: Keys to Successful Subrecipient Relationships

Grant Management & Financial Oversight Subrecipient Monitoring: Keys to Successful Subrecipient Relationships Navigating the complex dynamics of a subrecipient collaboration between institutions can be a daunting task. From initial proposal to closeout, effective oversight of internal controls, good time management, and clear communication all help lead to successful outcomes. A subrecipient is a legal entity that receives a subaward in which your organization serves as the prime recipient (pass through entity) of a grant. The subrecipient is responsible for carrying out a portion of the programmatic effort of the proposed project. ...
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Don't Be Afraid of the Lawyers!

Community & Member Engagement Don't Be Afraid of the Lawyers! An in-house research attorney shares insights on his role from the legal vantage point, the relationship with colleagues, and how he tackles the perception of "Legal" involvement as intimidating. “Because I Carry a Big stick, Speak Softly.” To borrow from Teddy Roosevelt, I like to invert his famous adage, “Speak softly and carry a big stick”, into “Because I carry a big stick, speak softly”. In a well-run organization, the Legal office wields significant clout- but I admit I’m biased as in-house counsel for a large nonprofit. Legal needs the authority to intervene ...
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