Beginners to intermediate, working in the research contracts space
Workshop content and learning outcome:
This interactive workshop aims to enable beginner or intermediate research contracts managers / legal advisors working in the research contracts space to develop a greater awareness of the challenges associated with research contracts and the applicable legislative environment which impacts on such agreements and to consequently assess and mitigate associated risks. It will provide an understanding of aspects related to the governance framework in which universities operate and will cover the broad themes related to legislation, institutional policies and funder requirements. Amongst the aspects which shall be covered during the workshop are due diligence, conflict of interest, intellectual property rights, rights to privacy, ethics, negotiation strategies and relevant policies will be addressed. Case studies will be incorporated and a risk assessment tool will be shared to allow the participants to engage with real scenarios to incorporate the lessons learned during this workshop.
The learning outcomes will include the ability to assess research agreements for possible risks, how to address and negotiate problematic contract clauses and how to navigate the global legislative environment applicable to research contracts.
Workshops facilitaros:
Dr Cornelia Malherbe
Dr Cornelia Malherbe has more than twenty years of experience in research management and is currently the Director: Research Contracts at Stellenbosch University. She established the Research Contracts Office at Stellenbosch University (SU) and a pre-award and research finance function. She plays a pivotal role in research contracts negotiations and remedial actions. She developed and implemented several critical Policies for SU (including a custodian role). She plays a key role in research governance, compliance and risk management. She is known to be a strategic and operational problem solver. She builds partnerships and is recognised for her leadership on national and international levels in the field of Research Contracts and IP Management. She was vital in establishing the Social and Business Ethics Committee of Council, serves on ethics committees and acts as an advisor to research integrity matters. She was the recipient of the Rector’s Award (3 times), the Chancellor’s Award (2018) as well as the National DSI-SARIMA Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Research and Innovation Management Profession (2019). She holds an MSc, an MBA and a PhD in Industrial Engineering. She has several publications and holds a Senior Lecturer academic rank in the Department of Industrial Engineering at SU, where her research directly relates to complex problems from the research compliance perspective, and therefore further contributes to the profession of research management.
Julie Nadler-Visser
Julie Nadler-Visser (BSoc LLM) has more than twenty years of experience in research contracts management and is currently employed as Specialist Legal Advisor: Research Contracts at Stellenbosch University. She has extensive experience in drafting, reviewing and negotiating research related contracts across the spectrum of research related agreements and in all aspects of research contracts management. She assists in mentoring junior legal advisors in respect of the review and the management processes associated with research contracts. As part of the research management process, due diligence, budget approvals and compliance with institutional and national requirements are essential. Applications to the National Intellectual Property Management Office and the Reserve Bank form part of such compliance. Legal opinions and the review of policy documents also fall under her purview.
