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The fundamentals of research administration (UK version)

Monday 16 June 2008

This one-day course takes the key elements of ARMA's long-established annual Induction workshop and concentrates them into a single day for those new to research administration and attending their first conference. The course focuses on the key knowledge areas for research administrators: it is an intensive day! The course complements parallel sessions in the main conference programme, which indicate the level of experience expected of participants: those labelled 'basic' or 'any' are particularly suited to newcomers. A final meeting over tea at the end of the Congress completes the programme, allowing participants an opportunity to reflect on what they have learnt over the three days.

As part of the international dimension of the Congress, we are pleased to offer an international version of this course, aimed at research managers and administrators in new and emerging research organisations, predominantly in less-developed countries. Where possible, some sessions will be shared between the two courses. Refreshments and lunch will be taken together.

Please note: this course is focused specifically on research administration in universities. Whilst much of the content is applicable to research administration in other public sector settings, some material is university-specific. We are not able to offer parallel sessions on this occasion.

Target audience

This intensive one-day course is aimed at Research Administrators who will probably have a maximum of one year's experience in university research centres/institutes or central offices, or in the NHS, or in the offices of sponsors of research.

Learning outcomes

Those in their first few months of service will find the course essential in providing them with a good overview of the core elements of research administration, including those elements in which they are not directly involved, and in equipping them with the basic 'body of knowledge' needed to carry out their roles effectively. Those with a little more experience will find the course useful in consolidating knowledge gained to date, in showing how different elements are linked, and in filling in some gaps in their knowledge.

Participants will complete the course with a clearer understanding of the relevant policy, legislative and funding frameworks, research governance issues, and the sources of funding available for research. They will have an opportunity to develop their knowledge of research contracts, project management, and costing and pricing processes.



Indicative programme

8.30 Coffee and Registration
9.00 Welcome and introductions
9.15 Session 1: Organisation of Research Administration

This session will look at some common ways of organising research administration functions in universities. We will look at the tasks covered by 'pre-award' and 'post-award' teams and the tasks that fall outside these areas. Participants will have an opportunity to compare their location and organisation with others in their working group.
9.45 Session 2: Research policy and funding

What's the RAE all about and how is research funded in UK universities? This session will explain the dual support system and the purpose of the RAE and give an overview of the different types of project funders in the UK.

11.00 Coffee
11.30 Session 3: Costing and pricing of research

What are the costs of undertaking a research project? How much can we charge the funder for it? This session looks at the different elements of a project budget and provides an opportunity to practise preparing a costing. Whether or not your role involves costing research, an understanding of what goes into a project budget is essential knowledge for all research administrators.
13.00 Lunch
14.00 Session 4: Research contracts

This factual session looks at the background to contracts - what they are and why they matter - before taking a tour of the 'standard' sections of a contract and key things to look out for when a funder sends you a contract for signature.
15.00 Session 5: Planning and managing research

Where do you start in planning a project? How can you help academics in their planning? What about managing it effectively and avoiding problems when it becomes a reality? This short session introduces some widely used project planning approaches and discusses some key elements of project management which can be used in research projects.
15.45 Tea
16.15 Session 6: Research ethics and scientific integrity

This session looks at some of the theory behind the development of research ethics as well as considering research integrity and scientific misconduct. We then focus on research with human participants and the issues that may arise, using a case study approach as well as reviewing legislation and funder rules.
17.15 - 17.30 Session 7: Review and looking ahead

A review of the day and a look ahead to the sessions on offer during the main conference

Course elements in main Conference Programme

Course participants may wish to attend sessions in the 'Research funding and funding opportunities' theme, or any session requiring 'basic' or 'any' prior experience.

Further details are available in the conference session matrix and the overall conference programme.

At 15.00 on Wednesday 18th June (during the final tea break of the conference) course participants are invited to meet and reflect on their Conference experiences and to identify what has been learned and how it can be applied in the workplace, including transferable skills and knowledge.

Cost

ARMA members: £210.00
Non-members: £267.00

The higher rate for non-members will include annual membership of ARMA for the period until 31st March 2009. For tax reasons, ARMA events are open to members only. If you are not yet a member, you will be able to join in the course of making your booking. If you are already a member, you will be required to use your membership number when booking.

If you are booking for more than one event at the same time, the non-members supplement is payable once only per person.

The contact for general queries is Rosemary Hatch. For queries related to course content, please contact Tony Weir, a.g.weir@hw.ac.uk.

Booking is now open for ARMA members and for participants who are not members of any INORMS society and wish to join ARMA. Members of other INORMS societies will shortly be able to book at the reduced price.