Abstract

The GEMSTONE is a Horizon Europe Twinning Project that aims to strengthen research support services at Acıbadem University (ACU) by mapping competencies and skills and policies and practices related to research management and administration. The project ultimately aims to enhance ACU's research support services, enabling researchers to compete at the European level and secure funding from international programs. The idea behind the research management approach of the GEMSTONE project put importance on research support services for efficient and effective research operations. Research management relies on the expertise and assistance provided by research support services to navigate complex processes and ensure integration with funding agency guidelines and institutional policies.
This article presents the methodology, activities, and preliminary results of the mapping exercise conducted in the first phase of capacity building. The mapping exercise involved assessing the current organizational capacity at ACU and identifying gaps compared to Lund University (ULUND). Qualitative and quantitative research was conducted with ACU's Technology Transfer Office (TTO) staff, ACU researchers, and ULUND's Research Support Services. The results highlighted areas for improvement in ACU's research support capacity and efficiency. Additionally, research management and administration policies and practices at ULUND were reviewed to identify transferable best practices. These findings laid the foundation for developing a capacity-building plan to address the identified gaps.
The next steps involve implementing training, mentoring, and short visits to enhance the skills and knowledge of ACU's research support staff. The impact of these capacity-building activities will be evaluated to ensure their effectiveness. The methodology's participatory approach fosters stakeholder collaboration, aiming to create sustainable outcomes. By sharing experiences and lessons learned, this article contributes valuable insights to universities and policy-makers in Widening countries seeking to strengthen their research support capacity.
Keywords: Research management, research support services, mapping exercise, capacity-building, competencies and skills, best practices