Abstract

As the research conducted at Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) around Europe becomes more mature and professional, the support offered for their researchers is growing as well. Research Managers (RMs), librarians, ICT specialist and other support staff also need to ensure that their knowledge and skills continue to develop.

The professional competences and skills necessary for RMs in UASs are often different from those in fundamental universities pursuing basic science research because of the short history of UAS research and its different mission. In addition, issues like making science Open, evaluating research impact and making it visible, and creating UAS-specific tools and systems such as a CRIS continue to be a challenge. The struggles of time, resources, and expertise continue to be topics to be developed. These are areas we feel are helped by bringing RMs and support staff together from UASs in Europe and around the world.

At the EARMA conference of 2022, we began the process of creating a platform for sharing and learning together; a network that is open, transparent, and has added value for members that leads to support, change and professionalization of the RM role in UASs. This is a place where issues and solutions specific to UASs’ needs can be addressed. Using the findings from our 15-minute Discussion Table in Oslo, we would like to take the next steps in establishing a Transnational Research Management Support Community for Universities of Applied Sciences under the umbrella of EARMA Community.

Our session’s 24 participants at EARMA Conference 2022 represented universities and UASs from 11 countries. The contact details of participants as well as main points of discussions, needs and expectations were documented. The comments indicated a great need and interest for such a community, emphasizing learning from others, best practices sharing, strengthening the brand of UASs, and peer support. Ideas for suggested platforms of such a community ranged from informal exchange to utilizing various already established organisations such as EARMA. Possibilities for applying external funding to facilitate the community were also presented. Geographical widening was seen as important as there are more than 26 European and South and Central American countries with UASs which are all tackling the same issues such as time, resources, and expertise.

As reflected in the themes of EARMA 2023 conference, we propose widening and deepening the RMA profession by offering research support professionals the chance to come together, collaborate and support each other. Our proposal will widen the scope of the RMA profession by bringing together experts from UASs both from various parts of Europe and even from the neighboring regions

Take-away message
EARMA 2022 participants included members of interdisciplinary research support teams, research project officers, grant officers and librarians, to name but a few. Connecting and collaborating with the various groups of experts offering components of the research ecosystem will be a benefit to all. The connection and collaboration will also help deepen the role of the RM as they learn from each other and work together.