Society of Research Administrators International

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About Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI)

The Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI) is a premier global research management society providing education, professional development, and the latest comprehensive information about research management to professionals from over 40 countries.

SRAI maintains the largest network of research managers in the world. They provide members access to the changing research management landscape and foster relationships among collaborating institutions.  

SRAI is the only research management society in the world whose membership spans the entire spectrum of research institutions including colleges and universities, research hospitals and institutes, government agencies, non-profit funders of research, and industry.  

Mission and Vision

SRAI’s vision is to be the premier international resource for excellence in research management, administration and development of the profession.

Their mission is to develop, define and promote international best practices in research management, administration, knowledge transfer and growth of the research enterprise.

Membership

SRAI

is comprised of six (6) Sections representing members whose research administration activities are in specific geographic areas. The Sections elect their own leadership, have individual Bylaws, and hold yearly regional meetings at which SRAI Certificates are offered. The sections are the Canadian Section, the International Section, the Midwest Section, the Northeast Section, the Southern Section, and the Western Section. Within each Section are regional chapters for members to establish networks and learn more about SRAI offerings.

SRAI has four divisions based on common areas of interest– Commercial, Education, Government, and Non-Profit.

Education

SRAI offers multiple educational trainings, workshops, and professional development opportunities for members.

LevelUp

Educational program consisting of training modules 2-5 hours in duration on topics such as pre-award administration, post-award finance, and regulatory and financial compliance. Each module includes a randomized, comprehensive 50 question exam. The modules can be completed any time, from any location, and the user is awarded micro-credentials and digital badges for successfully passing the module exam.

True Fit Training

SRAI offers onsite training to catch research teams up to speed based on their customers’ location. These trainings can be full-day or multi-day and will fast-track participants’ understanding of research administration.

Professional Assessment

SRAI offers a comprehensive review and evaluation of an institution’s research management operations. Reviews are conducted by highly experienced and distinguished senior research administrators.

Events

SRAI hosts an annual conference in the United States with workshops, events, and networking opportunities. Locations have included New Orleans and Las Vegas. SRAI also hosts an annual financial management conference that focuses on the fiduciary responsibilities, approaches, processes, and strategies for effective financial research administration.

Publications

Podcast

SRAI produces the podcast Shop Talk which features research administration professionals from a variety of institutions in pre-award, post-award, compliance and communications. New episodes air the last Thursday of every month.

Journal of Research Administration

The Journal of Research Administration is a premier academic, peer-reviewed publication in the field of research administration and management. Published online twice a year, the SRAI Journal articles are dedicated to the education and the professional development of research administrators. The Journal publishes articles covering the changing research environment worldwide, focusing on quality and innovation in research administration.

Newsletter

SRAI’s monthly electronic newsletter, Catalyst, informs readers of SRAI’s extensive conference and educational offerings, recognizes members for their achievements, provides a space to network and learn more about the structure, functions, and people of SRAI, features insights from top professionals in research management and administration.  

Certifications and Recognition

Certifications

The SRAI Certificate Program offers comprehensive training specific to today’s educational needs of research administrators & managers. There are 10 certificates offered in the field of research administration & management, which includes hospitals, universities, nonprofits and commercial institutions. The curriculum for each certificate includes a required half-day or full-day workshop and a specific amount of required and elective concurrent sessions depending on the certificate. Workshops and session are held at Chapter, Section, and Annual meetings throughout the year. SRAI members have up to three years to complete certificate program requirements, allowing greater flexibility to manage time, travel, and budget constraints.

Recognition

SRAI Awards & Scholarships offer individuals a number of opportunities to be acknowledged and honored for their contributions to the research administration & management profession and to the Society. The awards are given based on applications. SRAI offers recognition to distinguished faculty in research enterprise. SRAI’s Future of the Field program aims to highlight the ‘up-and-comers’ of Research Administration -- those who have demonstrated leadership among their peers and institutions in innovative ways that advance the field.

History

In 1966 a group of business managers of various units within Yale University began to meet informally and at irregular intervals to discuss mutual problems and how to resolve them. The group formalized its organization on June 1, 1966, as the Association of Research and Education Administrators. A year later on June 23 and 24, 1967, at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, under the leadership of Ken Harford and Dick Nicholsen, 100 persons signed on as charter members of the Society of Research Administrators (SRA).

The Western Section established on January 26, 1968, in Berkley, California. In New Haven, Connecticut on May 18, 1968, the Northeast Section is established.  The Southern Section was launched on June 9 with 17 members and the Midwest Section started similarly with 24 members on June 11, 1970.

For a formal exchange of ideas, the Journal of the Society of Research Administrators was first published in July 1969. The Journal was the first broad-based scholarly periodical for research administrators.

In 1998 the word “International” was added to the Society’s name.

References

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