Blogs

So Your PI Has Never Read a Ledger: A Guide for Research Administrators

Grant Management & Financial Oversight | Learn how to run financial review meetings that keep brilliant-but-budget-averse PIs engaged, compliant, and to keep them coming to these meetings. An engaged PI will want to remain compliant and will ask questions when necessary. "So, what exactly is an encumbrance?” This question took me aback, not because of the question itself, but rather because it was asked by a senior Principal Investigator (PI) who had been leading studies for over 30 years. This same PI had ostensibly been attending monthly financial review meetings for all that time. And yet, here we were, reviewing her ledgers, ...
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Straight from the Experts: Creating Research Development Capacity for Institutional Success

Grant Development & Strategy | To explore how growth in research development (RD) is taking shape, I interviewed two leaders from RD programs who are actively building and redesigning innovative approaches to support their institutions’ research goals. This synopsis provides insight for exploring how to build or redesign a research development program. Apart from its vital role in helping researchers find funding, Research development (RD) is a growing, dare I say, exploding niche within the broader picture of research administration. The National Organization of Research Development Professionals (NORDP) defines RD as “strategic, ...
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Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Required for Leadership Roles in Research Administration

Career Growth & Leadership | Considering leadership positions advertised between 2021 and 2023, what do Australian institutions look for when hiring research administration leaders? The requirements fall into three categories: knowledge, skills, and experience. Considered together, the requirements point to a preference for broad understanding across the research enterprise rather than deep expertise in any one area. The research administration profession can be divided into operational, managerial and leadership roles, consistent with the professional development frameworks of various research administration societies such as the ...
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A Small Gap, A Big Risk

Regulatory & Compliance Oversight | It is important to maintain continuous training in research administration. Failing to adequately train staff is one of the biggest risks, especially in an ever-changing federal landscape. Introduction Training programs are a strategic investment in research compliance and integrity. They represent an ongoing process that evolves alongside changing regulations and sponsor expectations. Organizations that prioritize training are far better equipped to mitigate non-compliance risks during audits and regulatory inspections. We present three scenarios showing the importance of training. Please read ...
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GOALS: Guiding Objectives for Advancing Long-term Success

Community & Member Engagement | Written goals increase your likelihood of attainment and sharing those goals with others who will hold you accountable increases that likelihood even further. This article serves as a case study in the power of written goals and supporting objectives. I grew up on a working cattle ranch in South Texas, where hard work shaped both my work ethic and my resilience. I was so small when I first learned to ride that even our children’s saddle was too large for me, so my uncle had one custom-made to ensure I could “ride a horse proper.” Before I was old enough to attend school, I had already participated ...
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Beyond Silos: Strengthening Research Operations Through Financial Stewardship, Personnel Management, and Compliance Oversight

Operations & Workflow Management | Research administrators routinely navigate situations where the best answer is, "It depends." By examining examples from financial stewardship, personnel management, and compliance oversight, this article demonstrates how collaboration beyond organizational silos helps administrators resolve operational challenges, reduce compliance risk, and strengthen the research enterprise. Based on the NYC Research Administration Demonstration (RAD) Session “ Strengthening Research Operations: Financial Stewardship, H-1B Navigation and Compliance Essentials ” presented by Melissa Melgar, David Schultz, and Brian Miller. ...
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Catalyst Quarterly: July 2026

View the Full Issue (PDF)* Volume 02, Issue 02: July 2026 Editor's Note Dear Readers, Information is an incredibly powerful resource. In any profession, keeping pace with the speed of change is crucial—and in our field, perhaps even indispensable. Nevertheless, the real, measurable impact lies in how that knowledge is applied. Research administrators must ensure that their teams and institutions can adequately comply with the latest regulatory updates, follow recommended best practices, and decipher the latest technological developments; all while successfully navigating the complex technical, ethical, and financial considerations ...
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Tenants of the Federal Government: Reading OMB's Uniform Guidance Rewrite as a Lease

Current Affairs | DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are the author’s own and do not represent those of SRAI or any other institution. SRAI does not recommend responding on behalf of your institution unless authorized to do so. Proposed rewrite of the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) reshapes how federal awards are selected, terminated, and monitored. A research contracts manager walks through four provisions with direct operational consequences for research administrators, shares where he lands on each, and explains why your comment matters before the submission deadline. Institutions conducting clinical research under ...
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Giving Back to the Profession That Shaped My Career

A long time ago, I thought my story was unique. Like many in our field, I did not set out to build a career in research administration. I fell into it…or maybe it found me. Over time, I realized that almost everyone I met had a similar origin story, often not realizing they were entering into a community and a profession that would shape their career. Many of those connections happen through the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI), whether virtually, in person at conferences and meetings, or through the everyday networking that brings our field together. After finishing graduate school in 2001, I accepted a Grant and Contract Specialist ...
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Research Administration’s Defining Moment: Leading Through Complexity, Innovation, and Change

As I seek election as Secretary of the SRAI Board of Directors, I am energized by both the opportunities and challenges facing research administration today. Our profession is navigating a period of unprecedented change marked by evolving federal policies, increasing regulatory and compliance requirements, growing financial pressures on research institutions, and heightened expectations for transparency, accountability, and public trust. At the same time, research portfolios have become increasingly complex, requiring administrators to manage multidisciplinary collaborations, advanced technologies, large-scale data initiatives, and expanding partnerships across ...
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Leading Forward: Why I’m Running for At-Large Board Member and My Vision for SRAI’s Future

For more than two decades, my career has been shaped by the belief that research administration is not just a profession – it is a calling. I’ve had the privilege of serving in roles across clinical research, cradle-to-grave, finance, operations, and strategic leadership, from Cincinnati Children’s, University of Cincinnati, to TriHealth, Inc., to founding Clinical Research Analytics, Inc. Along the way, SRAI has been the constant thread that strengthened my skills, expanded my perspective, and connected me to a community that feels like home. My journey with SRAI began in 2009, and since then I’ve served as Midwest Section President/Secretary/Treasurer, Distinguished ...
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SRAI and The Work Ahead

I am running for the SRAI Board of Directors as an At-Large Board Member because I want to help SRAI continue building the kind of practical, member-focused support that research administrators need right now. Research administration is changing quickly, and SRAI gives us a place to think through that change together. I am also grateful because SRAI has been one of the places where I have been able to learn, share, ask questions, test ideas, and connect with people who understand the real work of research administration. That matters to me. Research administration is rewarding work, but it is not easy work. Most of us are operating in a space where the rules ...
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SRAI – Open to All

My name is Anthony Edmondson, and I am seeking the position of SRAI At-Large Board Member to serve as your liaison, dedicated to advancing our society’s purpose as outlined in SRAI Bylaws, Article II: The education of research administration professionals and the enhancement of communication among all stakeholders . Over the past four years, I have attended open sessions of the Annual Board of Directors Meetings in San Antonio, Chicago, and Seattle to gain a deeper understanding of SRAI operations. Through this experience, I observed the strategic planning and decision-making conducted on behalf of SRAI members. The Board of Directors actively works to fulfill ...
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Making the Connection in Research Administration

Research administration is built on work that is often unseen but essential. Behind every successful proposal, funded project, compliant report, and research breakthrough is a network of professionals ensuring that systems function, risks are managed, and institutions remain accountable. Yet much of this work remains invisible, even within our own organizations. As our profession continues to evolve, the challenge is not simply to sustain what we have built, but to ensure that the work we do is fully understood, valued, and structurally supported. Too often, compliance gaps, operational challenges, and workforce struggles are attributed to individuals rather ...
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Moving Forward in Challenging Times

I am pleased to submit my nomination for an At-Large Board Member position for SRAI. I have been part of SRAI for the past 15 years, actively engaged for the last decade. I have found this Society to be revelatory, in that it welcomes all individuals with open arms and encourages them to grow themselves and the field of research administration. SRAI excels in professional development, networking, education, and research. The Society is aspirational and encouraging. Simply put, it is an exemplary resource for current and future research administrators and has become the standard by which we judge ourselves and our field. I have over three decades of experience ...
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Future of SRAI: Leading with Experience, Inclusion, and Practical Vision

I believe I will be an excellent At-Large Board Member for SRAI because I bring a combination of deep operational experience, visionary leadership, and long-term commitment to the Society. To begin, I understand the full research administration lifecycle. For example, at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHSCH), I helped launch the Intellectual Property office, oversaw all pre-proposal services, and led faculty training and education. At Temple University, I have managed the process from proposal submission through award closeout and have been actively involved in large-scale, institution-level proposals during a period when Temple ...
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The Future of SRAI and Why it Matters

My initial engagement with SRAI commenced at a meeting in San Diego, California over a decade ago, and since then, I have maintained a steadfast commitment. As a member of the SRAI community, I have experienced both personal and professional growth. I have been able to apply the knowledge acquired and assume a leadership role. As we contemplate the future, I aspire to contribute to the continued success of SRAI by influencing decision-making processes and advocating for the needs of SRAI members. This can be achieved by focusing on several key areas. Firstly, SRAI should consider incorporating more leadership sessions into its annual meetings and online offerings. ...
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An Educator’s Vision: Engagement and the Future of SRAI

I am excited to run for an At-Large position on the SRAI Board of Directors. I made my decision because I am grateful to SRAI and because of my deep belief in the future of our profession. SRAI has been important in shaping me as a research administrator. Also, I see Board service as an opportunity to give back to this community, which has helped me grow professionally. I very much want to continue my service and to be a part of SRAI’s next chapter. SRAI’s mission resonates with me. The mission, which is to empower research administrators globally with the knowledge, resources, and community they need to excel, collaborate, and drive impactful research, ...
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Volume LVII, Number 2 - From the Editor's Desk

From the Editor's Desk Author Holly Zink, PhD, MSA University of Kansas It is my privilege to introduce the Spring 2026 issue of the Journal of Research Administration and to do so as the journal’s new Editor-in-Chief. I step into this role with deep respect for the journal’s history and a clear commitment to strengthening its position as a rigorous, globally representative scholarly forum for research administration, both as a profession and as a field of study. The articles in this issue span North America, Europe, and Africa—with contributions from the United States, Canada, Denmark, Uganda, and Portugal—illustrating the increasingly international ...
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Building Research Infrastructures from Ground Zero in Biomedical Laboratory Science at Six Bachelor’s Degree University Colleges: A Decade of Danish Experience

Volume LVII, Number 2 | Julie Smith Biomedical Laboratory Science, Department of Technology, Faculty of Health, University College Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark Helen Nordahl Madsen Education of Biomedical Laboratory Science and Research Centre for Rehabilitation, VIA University College, Aarhus N, Denmark Lene Noehr-Jensen Biomedical Laboratory Science, Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Physiotherapy and Radiography, UCL University College, Odense, Denmark Steffen Jørgensen Biomedical Laboratory Science, Centre for Engineering and Science, University College Absalon, Naestved, Denmark Leif Kofoed Nielsen Biomedical Laboratory ...
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