Author: Tricia Callahan, Interim Director, Research Training (OSOT)
Research Week 2025 showcased the Office of Research Administration’s commitment to equipping staff with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in a rapidly evolving research landscape. Over two packed days, ORA delivered a robust program of learning opportunities designed to keep research administrators at the forefront of best practices, compliance, and technological innovation.
With six general sessions and over fifteen concurrent sessions, staff had access to more than 20 distinct learning opportunities that provided comprehensive coverage of the essential topics in research administration. Staff participated in sessions and panels that covered:
- Federal Updates & Compliance: Sessions such as “Federal Reflections & Updates” and “Rules, Risks, and Research: A Compliance Adventure” provided timely insights into the changing federal landscape. These sessions ensured staff were up to date with new requirements, including the NIH’s SciENcv mandate, which was addressed in the “SciENcv Refresher for NIH” session.
- Driving Efficiency with M365: The “Driving Efficiency – Beyond Basics: Mastering Copilot Prompts for Research Workflows” and “Driving Efficiency – Meet Microsoft Copilot: Your Efficient AI Companion” sessions empowered staff to leverage Microsoft 365 and AI tools to streamline research workflows and boost productivity.
- Operational Excellence: Sessions on “Procurement and Support Services,” “Accounts Receivable (AR) on Sponsored Awards,” and “Sponsored Projects Subaward Management: Resources and Best Practices” kept staff informed about the latest processes and best practices in procurement, financial management, and subaward administration.
- Insight Modules: The newly launched Insight Learning Lab – Agreements Module introduced staff to advanced tools for managing research agreements, further enhancing operational efficiency.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with high ratings for the overall experience (4.8/5), quality of sessions (4.9/5), and variety of sessions (4.6/5). Participants appreciated the hybrid format, knowledgeable guest speakers, and the breadth of sessions offered.
Research Week 2025 exemplified ORA’s proactive approach to staff development, ensuring research administrators are well-prepared to navigate federal changes, harness new technologies, and implement best practices in every aspect of their work. The event’s extensive learning opportunities and positive attendee feedback highlight its success in fostering a culture of excellence and innovation in research administration.