Abstract

Effective research management plays a pivotal role in enabling the successful execution of impactful research projects, thus driving sustainable development. As universities increasingly collaborate on projects delivering international development, the need for robust research management practices is imperative. We will illustrate good practice of the research management community in the United Kingdom, facilitated through a strong network of over 40 Higher Education Institutes, working with LMIC partners in research for international development and global challenges.

Our presentation will show how the network developed to foster collaboration, share knowledge, engage with funders and address challenges. We will also highlight how the network evolved within a complex, unstable and continually changing funding environment impacted by UK government ODA cuts, Brexit, and Covid-19 since 2020.

The presentation begins by emphasizing the importance of research management in advancing international research projects. Research management underscores the transformative potential of research collaboration amongst research managers by supporting universities, policymakers, and practitioners to address complex global challenges. By setting the stage for discussion, the audience gains insight into the multifaceted nature of robust research management's impact on international research projects and how the authors have sought to support this through the development of their network in the UK.

A core focus of the presentation is elucidating the foundational components of effective support for partnerships for international development research. This entails streamlining processes for project initiation, funding acquisition, ethics approval, and project execution. We also delve into strategies for building and sustaining research management networks, which are essential for tackling multifaceted development challenges.

Collaboration is a central theme throughout the presentation, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and knowledge exchange among universities, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and local communities. Strategies for fostering cross-sector collaboration and ensuring effective communication are highlighted, along with case studies that exemplify successful support of international partnerships. The presentation also addresses the challenges that may arise in cross-cultural collaborations and offers strategies for mitigating misunderstandings and promoting inclusivity.

Furthermore, we examine the ethical considerations inherent in international development research management, as they emphasise the significance of engaging local communities as equal partners in research endeavours, ensuring their knowledge, values, and needs are respected and integrated. The presentation advocates for an ethical approach that prioritizes mutual benefit and safeguards against colonial tendencies, promoting sustainable, equitable development outcomes. We will also engage with the audience through Slido to gather feedback, tools and solutions from other similar European networks and we intend to connect these up and share our toolkits resources as an outcome of the event.

In conclusion, this conference presentation offers varied learning outcomes by exploring UK best practice in university research management networks for international collaboration. It highlights the transformative potential of research collaboration, emphasizes foundational components of effective management, and addresses ethical considerations. By leveraging case studies and real-world examples, the presentation will equip attendees with actionable insights from across Europe to enhance their cross-institutional research management networks in the pursuit of sustainable global development.