Society of Research Administrators International - SRAI

The role of research management is evolving, and the conversation is going global. ☕

This Coffee Talk, presented by SRAI's International Section, explores how research management professionals are adapting to new technologies, expanding portfolios, and growing expectations for strategic partnership across diverse global contexts.

🗣️ Nael Abdelsamad, MD, MBA, FACHE — Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
🗣️ Suzanne Condie Lambert — Khalifa University
🗣️ Floris van der Leest, SRAI Distinguished Faculty, SRAI International Section President
🗣️ Moderator: Silke Blohm, SRAI Distinguished Faculty

Free and open to members and non-members. Registration closes June 23.
📅 June 24 | 2:00 PM GST / 6:00 AM ET
➡️ https://brnw.ch/21x3qW9

What does it take to build a research culture from the ground up?

📚 In this article, researchers across six Danish university colleges reflect on the first decade of building research infrastructures within biomedical laboratory science programs.

Their findings highlight how student involvement, dedicated research time, collaboration, and decentralized research structures helped shape research productivity, educational quality, and professional practice in a brand-new research environment.

Read the full article in the upcoming issue of the Journal of Research Administration: https://brnw.ch/21x3qev

Shout-out to the authors: Julie Smith, Helen Nordahl Madsen, Lene Noehr-Jensen, Steffen Jørgensen, Leif Kofoed Nielsen, Marianne Ellegaard, Sofie Gry Pristed, and Francisco Mansilla Castaño.

Research management and administration is often associated with universities and research institutions, but RMAs are also shaping research and innovation from within funding agencies, policy organizations, and other non-research performing organizations.

📚 In this article, authors José Santos, Carolina Varela, and Simon Kerridge explore how RMAs working across these spaces define their professional identity, navigate research ecosystems, and contribute to the growing professionalization of the field.

Read the full article in the upcoming issue of the Journal of Research Administration: https://brnw.ch/21x3p36

💫 This week’s spotlight is on Becky Nau.

After building a career in personal finance, Becky realized it wasn’t the right fit and discovered research administration was far more aligned with her values, strengths, and interests.

“A family member of mine had been successfully treated at the Hillman Cancer Center, and I was drawn to the meaningful work I could do to further their mission,” she shares.

At the University of Pittsburgh, Becky’s career has been shaped by mentors who have inspired her growth in the field. Now, she hopes to mentor others and help them discover the same rewarding career path that transformed her own.

👏 Congratulations, Becky, on earning your CRA certification and on this well-deserved recognition! Meet the Class of 2025 Rising Stars: https://brnw.ch/21x3iSD

Some things can't be replicated on a screen.

The 2026 SRAI Annual Meeting gives research administrators the time and space to ask better questions, build stronger relationships, and return with renewed clarity. In person, the conversations go deeper, and so does the impact.

📅 October 10–14, 2026 | Honolulu, Hawaii
➡️ Register now: https://brnw.ch/21x3gZB

Building a strong foundation in Canadian research administration starts with the right training.

SRAI's Basics for Canadian Research Administration is designed by Canadian RA professionals, for Canadian RA professionals, covering everything from pre-award fundamentals to award closeout, with content tailored to Tri-Agency guidelines and Canadian institutional practices.

Four live sessions. Four self-paced modules. A certificate of completion. And a community of peers learning alongside you.

⏳ Registration closes July 17 — Wednesdays, July 22 – August 19
➡️ Register now: https://brnw.ch/21x3d6Y

Research innovation is growing across universities worldwide, but many researchers still lack awareness of how to protect and commercialize their work.

📚 In this article, authors Stella Kakeeto, Mordecai Tayebwa, Wasiu Afolabi, and Christine Nalwadda examine intellectual property awareness among researchers and research managers at Makerere University College of Health Sciences in Uganda.

Their findings raise important questions about how institutions can better support research innovation, commercialization, and long-term impact.

Read the full article in the upcoming issue of the Journal of Research Administration: https://brnw.ch/21x3bHd

💫 This week’s spotlight is on Kirsti Moose-McConkey.

Just over eight years ago, Kirsti began her career in research administration as a front-desk assistant in the Office of Grants and Contracts at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. She quickly developed an interest in the field and pursued every opportunity she could to expand her knowledge, gain experience, and grow professionally.

Since then, Kirsti has contributed to projects that improved tools and processes, supported submissions for large collaborative initiatives, and, most recently, represented colleagues as a member of the Virginia Tech Administrative and Professional Faculty Senate.

👏 Congratulations, Kirsti, on this well-deserved recognition, and best of luck on your studies. Meet the Class of 2025 Rising Stars: https://brnw.ch/21x37TF

Federal agencies are placing greater emphasis on broader impacts and societal benefit in research proposals, changing how researchers communicate the value of their work.

📚 In this article, authors Rita S. Graef, Daniel D. Foster, Kathleen M. Hill, and Tracy S. Hoover introduce a framework for characterizing broader impact activities across NSF, NIH, and USDA-funded proposals.

As broader impacts continue to play a larger role in proposal evaluation, how can research administrators help researchers more clearly define and communicate the impact of their work?

Read the full article in the upcoming issue of the Journal of Research Administration: https://www.srainternational.org/blogs/srai-jra2/2026/06/02/framework-characterize-broader-impact-activities