Welcome to the latest edition of the EARMA Newsletter. In this month's publication, the deadline for EARMA Conference abstract submissions is approaching, we're looking for volunteers to help us shape the content for the next EARMA Conference, join our special demonstration webinar for the RM Roadmap Knowledge and Community Platform, we're hosting a one-day conference on RMA and AI, we're asking managers and leaders from research organisations to join us for the EARMA Leadership Event 2023, the next Early Stage Research Administrators Masterclass is coming up in Denmark, EARMA made a submission on Global perspectives on research management, Research Professional News wants to consult with research support office staff, the 12th meeting of the ERION group will take place in Brussels, the first meeting of the EARMA Open Science thematic group will also take place in Brussels, we'll discuss the key takeaways from the Southern African study tour, registration for the BESTPRAC and EARMAimpact joint meeting in Ljubljana is closing soon, we have an upcoming webinar that will preview the year ahead for grants and awards, join our Research Administrators Day celebrations, learn how to develop a Research Integrity Promotion Plan in our webinar, and we ask if a Research Support Office can be self-sustained.
Want to view previous EARMA newsletters? Visit our archive.
Deadline approaching for EARMA Conference abstract submissions
The Call for Abstracts for the next EARMA Conference is currently open but will close September 15, 2023.
This year's theme is ‘Where is RMA Going? The Future of RMA in a Rapidly Changing World’ and topics include Operations and Planning; EARMA Thematic Group Themes; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Pre-Award; Post-Award; What can EARMA Do; IT Systems and tools supporting RMA now and in the future; and Leadership.
New challenges for RMAs are appearing every day across the research ecosystem, and RMAs are expected to adapt and absorb. Artificial intelligence, Academic Freedom and Integrity, Open Research, Education and Innovation, Professionalisation and Broadening of the Profession, EDI, these and many others are transforming the ‘traditional’ role of the RMA.
What do you have to say to your community on these topics? Make your submission today and we will see you in Odense, Denmark, April 23 - 25, 2024.
Call for EARMA Conference abstract expert evaluators
The 2024 EARMA Annual Conference Programme Committee (ACPC) is seeking enthusiastic volunteers to contribute to the development of the programme for the upcoming conference in Odense, scheduled from April 23-25, 2024.
The EARMA Conference will feature various topics, and we invite individuals with expertise in these areas to join us in evaluating and prioritising submitted abstracts. Your insights will play a vital role in shaping the content and quality of the conference program. It's also a great way to enhance your CV. Apply to be an expert evaluator by September 15, 2023, using the application form.
RM Roadmap Knowledge and Community Platform demonstration
Join us for an introduction to the dynamic online co-creation platform created as part of the RM Roadmap project. This open-for-all event is an introduction for Research Managers (RM) to a platform designed to connect professionals, and foster thematic and national collaborations through a new co-creation space. We want to emphasise that this event is accessible to all interested parties. The primary aim is to offer a comprehensive introduction to interacting with the RM Roadmap Knowledge and Community Platform before the first co-creation sessions start. We invite every research manager to engage and propel this co-creation process forward. Your presence and participation will be crucial in the success of this endeavour. This webinar takes place September 25, 2023, at 14:00 CEST. Register now.
Exploring the future of RMA and AI with EARMA
We are inviting you to the EARMA AI Day. This one-day event has been specifically designed to provide members of the EARMA community with valuable insights into the world of AI in RMA. Our aim is to equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to enhance your performance in your field. This conference offers a unique opportunity for you to gain valuable insights and stay ahead of the curve in your profession. We look forward to seeing you there and sharing this knowledge with you. This in-person event takes place in Brussels on November 10, 2023. Registration open.
EARMA Leadership Event 2023
Are you a manager or leader overseeing research, grants, or sponsored programs within research organisations? You are invited to participate in the EARMA Leadership Event 2023.
The role of leading a research support office or fostering excellent research support for exceptional researchers is both inspiring and demanding. As a manager, you face day-to-day challenges, dilemmas, and strategic considerations that require action by you and your team. Balancing the expectations of rectors, faculties, individual researchers, funders, and authorities is essential. To address these issues, EARMA has created a tailor-made programme for the Leadership Event, featuring insightful keynote presentations and collaborative peer learning groups for working and sharing ideas. This event takes place November 22 - 24, 2023, in-person in Brussels. Register now.
Early Stage Research Administrators Masterclass (ESRAM)
The Early Stage Research Administrators Masterclass (ESRAM) is designed for people who have recently moved into research administration (RA) roles with 6 months – 2 years of experience. RM roles can be in central support units, faculties, institutes, or within specific funded projects.
The aim of this course is to empower research administrators to undertake their new role with confidence, to present career pathways, and give the participants an appreciation of the full research project life-cycle and related service tasks. The course covers research funding, going beyond European Union funding, and is delivered and facilitated by experienced research managers and administrators from the EARMA community. This course takes place October 24 - 26, 2023, in Odense, Denmark. Register today.
EARMA makes submission on “Global perspectives on research management"
With global research spending increasing rapidly, and a growing emphasis on international collaborations, professional management of research is essential. University leaders around the world are starting to see the value of building a sustainable research office, along with the research manager role. However, in many respects these roles are still highly adapted to their local research and funding environments.
To understand the growing trends in research management, and how the research manager’s role is changing in light of global challenges, Springer Nature interviewed senior representatives of Research Management and Administration (RMA) organisations in Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, North and South America. Europe was represented by Dr Evelina Brännvall, EARMA Chair, Read more.
Do you work in a research office? Research Professional News wants to hear from you
Research Professional News is seeking the sector’s help to understand and define the problems and challenges facing research offices across the world, and those who work in them. They are aiming to publish a special report into research management challenges, opportunities and future direction and are surveying readers on their views. The survey is completely anonymous and should take less than 10 minutes to complete.
12th Meeting of the EARMA Ethics and Research Integrity Officer Network (ERION)
The 12th meeting of the ERION group will take place in Brussels, Belgium, November 21, 2023. ERION is the Ethics and Research Integrity Officer Network within EARMA. It is an open community to discuss the practical and implementation side of Research Ethics and Integrity. The community is for all of those that need to ensure compliance, efficiency, functionality, fairness, and robustness in the practices and processes in their organisation. People may have titles such as ethics/integrity officer, administrator, and many others. The programme for this event will be published soon on our website but you can already sign up to attend now. Please note that this meeting is being held in conjunction with the first Open Science EARMA thematic group meeting as detailed below and discounts in fees are available. Register.
First Open Science EARMA thematic group meeting
In this inaugural meeting of the EARMA Open Science thematic group we aim to explore the interactions and synergies between Open Science, in particular data management and ethics. The event will be held over two half days in conjunction with the 12th meeting of the ERION group. We welcome the participation of not only our group members but everyone interested in data management plans and ethics from a practical implementation perspective. If you sign up for the ERION and the Open Science meetings, you will benefit from a discount in participation fees. This meeting takes place November 21 and 22, 2023, in Brussels. Please register before November 3, 2023.
Learnings from the pre-INORMS Southern Africa Study Tour
We invite you to join us online for an event in which we will reveal the key takeaways from this Southern African study tour. Discover the notable individuals we had the privilege to meet, the valuable lessons we learned, and the potential for ongoing collaborations. Additionally, we will explore discussions about future study tours and the prospects they hold. Furthermore, we will reflect on the INORMS 2023 conference, sharing insights on its outcomes and the INORMS 2025 conference's exciting prospects. We hope to see you there September 7, 2023, 13:45 - 15:30 CEST. Read more and register.
BESTPRAC and EARMAimpact joint meeting in Ljubljana
The BESTPRAC and EARMAimpact thematic groups will come together for a special joint meeting in Ljubljana, Slovenia. This in-person meeting will focus on driving impactful collaboration - bridging BESTPRAC and EARMAimpact. Participation in both events is free of charge, and registration is open until September 4, 2023, but please note that the deadline to register for Tuesday's dinner closed August 25, 2023. This in-person event takes place September 18 - 20, 2023 and will mark a new era in collaboration between EARMA's thematic groups. Register today.
Spreading the joy: the work of the EARMA Awards Committee
EARMA seeks to build an inclusive community through the provision of grants and bursaries to enhance participation and support widening. The Awards Standing Committee (AC) of EARMA plays an important role by allocating awards of up to €20k to EARMA members through a wide range of initiatives.
In an upcoming webinar that will be a preview to the year ahead for grants and awards, Chris Knighting (Chair) and Nicolas Schulthess (Deputy Chair) will deliver a comprehensive overview of the Awards Committee's structure, procedures, and priorities to the attendees. Join us to find out what funding is available. It takes place September 28, 2023, 14:00 - 15:00 CEST. Register.
Campfire stories RMA Day 2023 edition
The EARMA campfire events provide a laid-back and informal space for members of the EARMA community to connect virtually, network and enjoy time together. It's a time to celebrate the important role that research managers play in the R&I ecosystem. Over the years, the International Research Administrators Day festivities have gained global recognition, and this year, EARMA is proud to organise its third campfire event in honour of this special day dedicated to RMAs. Join us September 25, 2023, 14:00 - 15:00 CEST. Register today.
Learn how to develop a Research Integrity Promotion Plan
A representative from the European Commission will explain the importance and obligations of implementing a Research Integrity Promotion Plan (RRIP). The webinar will then focus on Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines that Research Performing Organisations can use to develop their own Research Integrity Promotion Plans (the SOPs4RI tool). Our experts will provide a step-by-step guide on how to navigate the SOPs4RI website and offer valuable guidance on how to use this tool effectively. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to gain insights from practical implementation experiences using the SOPs4RI material. This event takes place online October 17, 2023, 13:30 - 15:30 CET. Register.
The overheads conundrum: Can a Research Support Office be self-sustained?
Overhead costs are often the source of a tug-of-war between research support offices and principal investigators. Institutional policies are put in place to regulate the use of these funds. Yet there seems to be no right or good models that prevail. Hence, discussions are ongoing and, at times, inconclusive. This session is being presented by members of EARMA’s Finance and Governance Committee as part of EARMA’s initiative to bring its committees closer to the RMA community. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact and familiarise themselves with the Committee’s members while also engaging in a very common discussion among RMAs in their day-to-day work. Join us online October 26, 2023, 14:00 - 15:00 CET. Register now.
