Abstract

In this session we delve into Society of Research Administrators International's (SRAI) ambitious project to establish a Professional Development Framework tailored for research administrators. This session will spotlight crucial aspects of the initiative, including project scoping, the meticulous process of determining clear developmental pathways, aligning educational curriculum with evolving professional demands, and maintaining flexibility in response to emerging complexities.

In this session we delve into Society of Research Administrators International's (SRAI) ambitious project to establish a Professional Development Framework tailored for research administrators. This session will spotlight crucial aspects of the initiative, including project scoping, the meticulous process of determining clear developmental pathways, aligning educational curriculum with evolving professional demands, and maintaining flexibility in response to emerging complexities.

The increasing specialization of many RMA roles can make a “one size fits all” Professional Development Framework too generic, or alternatively, too complicated. We will outline what we think are the core components of a framework, the specializations and the cross-cutting knowledge and skills that should apply to all roles. We'll also explore the forward-thinking strategies employed to anticipate and adapt to the future landscape of research administration.

We are conscious that many such frameworks are beneficial for those who participate in their development, but then often sit on a website rarely used. Consequently, we will also outline our current thinking on how to ensure that this framework is of maximum benefit to SRAI’s members.

Session Objectives:
1. Understand purpose and components of a Professional Development Framework for research managers.
2. Learn strategies for aligning educational curriculum with evolving industry demands while staying adaptable to complexities.
3. Explore approaches to anticipate and navigate future trends and challenges in research administration