In today’s fast-moving, innovation-driven world, research is not just an academic pursuit but a global currency. From driving technological advancement to informing policy and solving real-world problems, research defines the reputation and relevance of top-class research-intensive institutions worldwide.
Producing ground-breaking and impactful research doesn’t happen by accident. Behind every impactful research output, a successful grant proposal, or scientific innovation is a system working quietly and powerfully behind the scenes. That system is Research Management.
As governments, industries, and funding agencies demand greater accountability, transparency, and innovation from academic research, Research Management has emerged as a critical enabler of institutional success.
WHAT EXACTLY IS RESEARCH MANAGEMENT?
Think of research management as the engine room of a university’s research ecosystem. It is the strategic, administrative, and operational support that empowers researchers to do what they do best. As an evolving professional field, Research Management encompasses everything from crafting a robust research agenda, strategic planning, upholding research ethics and integrity, data-driven decision-making, supporting faculty and researcher development, managing sponsored research, increasing research visibility and impact and facilitating knowledge transfer and commercialisation. It is the glue that holds a university’s research enterprise together and the fuel that propels it forward.
WHY SHOULD UNIVERSITIES INVEST IN RESEARCH MANAGEMENT?
The reality is that universities prioritising Research Management outperform those that don’t.This is because a well-resourced and effective research management system creates a ripple effect of benefits that elevate the institution globally.
When universities invest in research management, they unlock various institutional benefits, including robust research governance, enhanced research performance and visibility, high-quality research support services, global competitiveness, increased research funding and retention of skilled professionals. When administrative burdens on researchers are reduced, they get more time to focus on conducting meaningful and impactful research that makes the world a better place!
HOW DO WORLD-CLASS UNIVERSITIES INVEST IN RESEARCH MANAGEMENT?
World-class research-intensive institutions don’t just “do” research administration or management. They embed it as a core part of their institutional strategy. Here’s how:
- Strategic Planning: Research management is not an afterthought but integrated into the university’s strategic plans with clear key performance indicators.
- Dedicated Research Offices and Divisions: These include institutional planning offices, research development research offices, technology transfer units and research ethics boards, all working cohesively to support the research lifecycle.
- Professional Staff: World-class universities employ and train research management professionals to provide high-quality all-round support to researchers. Research Managers are well-resourced and empowered to function effectively as professionals.
- Research Information Systems: They invest in digital platforms that provide real-time information on research performance, grants portfolio, researcher profiles and analytics dashboards that enable evidence-based decision-making.
- Researcher Development Initiatives: Through tailored workshops, mentorship, writing clinics and other capacity-building initiatives, leading universities empower faculty and early-career researchers to build strong research portfolios.
- Incentives and Recognition Mechanisms: World-class institutions reward excellence in research management and promote a culture where researchers and research managers are recognised and rewarded for their unique contribution to the university’s overall success.
- Sustainable Funding for Research Management: Budgets are allocated not only for research projects but also for strengthening institutional capacity and a sustainable research management enterprise.
WHAT IS THE WAY FORWARD?
As the global research landscape becomes more complex and competitive, investing in research management is no longer optional but critical! Universities that proactively invest in building strong research management offices, training professional research managers, and streamlining administrative systems stand to gain a competitive edge, attract more research funding, and increase the societal impact of their research. Start investing now!
Written by:
Mrs. Hannah Adom Eyison
Grants and Research Manager
Office of Grants and Research
KNUST
Email: hannaheyison@knust.edu.gh
