RMAs and informal power
Event details
In the past years, the research funding landscape has become increasingly complex. For institutions, there is an increased importance on attracting external funding, whereas research funding organisations put more and more emphasis on the transversal elements of research, such as Impact, Open Science, Ethics, Gender Balance, and so on. Consequently, research support has to adapt continuously to the changing requirement meaning that it shall become more and more multifaceted, strategic and professional.
Today, RMAs are experts on funding opportunities, rules for participation, Open Science, EU R&I policy, stakeholder engagement, societal impact, etc. They have an important role in leveraging the excellence and innovation potential of the researchers in their respective institutions. In addition, they have knowledge that is instrumental in shaping institutional strategies. However, despite further professionalization, in many cases, RMAs have no formal power to influence institutional strategies or to direct researchers in organising their work. Instead, we have to make use of informal tactics for spreading our knowledge. In this session, we will discuss and provide examples of RMAs’ informal and soft power to make an impact.
Some of the topics addressed by our speakers (2x45 min):
- Top-down vs bottom-up strategic activities
- How can RMAs influence institutional strategies or higher-level policies?
- How can RMAs support the internalization of R&I policy directions?
- How can Research Support Offices be organized? How can you improve your office’s efficiency? How can you support collaboration and knowledge exchange among central and departmental research support offices?
- How can RMAs highlight their values?
- How RMAs can get the trust of researchers and provide them with the necessary support, information & training?
The exchange of speakers’ experiences and presentations will be followed by breakout room discussions on diverse topics, such as:
- Better highlight the role of RMA's within your organisation
- Increase support for Horizon Europe within the institution
- Soft skills for RMAs (30 min)
Speakers
Wannes Ribbens is a research and policy advisor on International funding at KU Leuven. He advises researchers on collaborative funding applications, as well as represents KU Leuven in relevant international organisations such as LERU and Universitas 21. He is also active in the Research Strategy Group and Research Coordination Cluster of Una Europa, and the European University Alliance. Before his position as a research and policy advisor, he was an Assistant Professor in the domain of Media & Communication at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Torben Høøck Hansen works at the University of Copenhagen's central EU team as a Senior Executive EU Liaison Officer. His main tasks are project development and assistance to coordinators, internal development of training, strategy and other tasks related to the EUs’ framework programmes. He represents UCPH in LERU and in Universities Denmark’s EU Working Group. Before coming to UCPH In 2013, he worked in similar roles at the Capital Region of Denmark and at the Technical University of Denmark.
Zygmunt Krasiński is the head of the centre for EU Research Projects at IPPT PAN, former H2020 National NCP Coordinator and member of the H2020 and Horizon Europe Shadow Strategic configuration Programme Committees. He has a long-lasting experience in EU project portfolio management and STI international cooperation. Zygmunt is an expert in several European Commission working groups and an advisor for EU R&D programmes, a trainer and author of publications in the field of RMA. He further is a co-founder and board member of the National Council of Research Project Coordinators, a member of the PM Certification Committee of IPMA Poland and a member of the EARMA External Relationships Committee.
Stefania Grotti has more than 20 years of experience as a Research Manager at Politecnico di Milano, most of it as a Manager and Coordinator, with strong leadership and negotiation skills. She has great knowledge of funding and financial management with remarkable experience and the ability to negotiate and mediate at any level and stage since 1995. Thanks to national and international experience on complex projects, Stefania has developed extensive knowledge in the Organisational HR Field suitable for transnational and diverse Research Contexts (academic and industry). She is an expert in Strategic Coordination of Human Resources and funding opportunities (European Programmes), in private, public and academic sectors.
Stefania Suevo is a research performance and strategy senior expert at Politecnico di Milano specialising in the design of high-value support structures and integration between roles and competencies. With more than 15 years of experience in the European context, she is focused on Talent Attraction and Development to improve performance strategies in Research Management. Stefania is highly involved in international activities and networks both at the European and international levels. Besides EARMA, she is actively involved in the Crowdhelix Network, NCURA and NORDP.
Jaroslav Sip developed and managed the Project centre of the University of West Bohemia, Pilsen, Czechia between 2003 and 2018. This centre became the central office with three departments: pre-award, post-award and technology transfer. Since 2018 he has been working in the departmental administration, responsible for services to almost one hundred researchers stretching from funding advisory to IPR. Part of the job is also research and business development as well as establishing new relationships with RTO and universities around the globe.
Sandra Mereu is the head of the Research Support Office dedicated to the SH Faculty of the University of Paris. She has been working in research management for more than 14 years at three different French universities. Her contribution went from advice and support to researchers in the preparation and management of their national, European and international projects, to policy advice and research communication. She actively participated in some institutional initiatives like the HRS4R labelling process. She was also a member of WG1 of BESTPRAC.
Moderator
Sarah Richardson is group editor at Research Professional News, an editorially independent news service published by Ex Libris. She oversees global editorial coverage of research policy and funding from a team of 30 specialist journalists based around the world. She has been a journalist and editor for more than 16 years and has an MA in English from the University of Cambridge. She is also a trustee of UK-based education charity The Talent Foundry.
Content duration:
1 Hour
33 Minutes
54 Seconds
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RMAs and informal power
This session aims to cover how RMAs can wield informal power in their institutions to create impact. Wannes Ribbens, Zygmunt Krasiński, Stefania Grotti, Stefania Suevo, Jaroslav Sip and Sandra Mereu will share their insights in this event moderated by Sarah Richardson.
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