Abstract

We've all been there.

1) You start in a new role and whoever was in your role before has clearly downed tools rather enthusiastically. You're left with a drab, context-light handover note (if you're lucky) to make sense of. You’re unclear on priorities, opportunities, preferred working styles and politics and it takes you a good few months to start to figure things out.

2) You’re required to leave your role due to the latest round of organisational improvements. While you’re not sure if your exact role will exist in the future org structure, you know that much of the work will continue to need to be actioned in some way. How do you ensure the hard work you’ve put into understanding and nurturing the academics serviced by your RMA unit doesn’t go to waste?

Every time this happens, there's a risk to the organisation, to the researchers supported by the RMA team, and to the individual starting in the new role. The intricate, complex web of intel and relationships held by RMAs is important to capture to eliminate the gaps while new staff members to come up to speed with their new role/team/org's culture, strategy, etc.

There's got to be a better way.

This session will plan for the long term sustainability of RMA services across the research sector.

Come join Suzanne Austin (University of New South Wales, Australia) and Kathleen Furr (Cornell University, USA) as we lead you through a discussion to pinpoint more creative and efficient ways to manage changes in your team and/or how to leave your RMA role in the best shape so that the work can continue after you're gone. The two presenters have vast experience in moving between roles, organisations, and continents across their careers in research management. Both are committed to supporting necessary change whilst ensuring succession plans are in place.

Learning outcomes - attendees at this session will gain a deeper appreciation for the impact of staff change on RMA services, and will also gather new ideas to incorporate into workforce planning beyond the basic handover note.