1. Improving Research Management for Improving Research Outcomes
Key Issues in Research Management
Erik Arnold
European Parliament
10 October 2012

2. Drivers for increased management of University research
More demand for research funding as university system grows
Increased competition among universities via rankings and performance-based research funding systems
Changing customer base for research, with the share of income won under competition tending to rise
Multiple research funders with different and idiosyncratic administrative requirements
University reform and professionalisation of management
Increasingly specific university strategies
Integration of the Technology Transfer Office function into wider research management

3. Five main roles for research management
Devising and implementing aspects of research strategy
Creating strategic intelligence about funding opportunities
Managing and monitoring the research project life cycle
Marketing and valorising research cooperation and results
Monitoring research performance to feed performance-based research funding systems
But the legitimacy and boundaries of the role are contested

4. Barriers to improved research management
The weakness of university research strategies and the difficulties universities experience when trying to deploy these strategies
Some degree of resistance to research management from the researchers themselves
Lack of clear organisational models
Variety in the institutional and funding environments, that impede the emergence of a standardised or ‘normal’ definition of research management
Lack of professional standards and accreditation

5. Issues for discussion
How to establish and maintain links between research strategy, strategy deployment and research management in universities
The appropriate division of labour between the management centre and researchers in university research management
How to generate benefits from research management for individual researchers, so as to make the cooperation between the two levels more effective
Organisational models for effective and embedded research management
Whether there is a need for professionalisation and accreditation of university research management
Other opportunities for policy to improve the quality and effectiveness of university research management

6. Thank you
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