My theory is that sponsored projects offices have become bigger and too specialized.  Also, we have not designed our offices with the thought of progressing through the ranks to demonstrate a clear path of upward mobility to our promising stafff.  

 

 

Interesting topic – and one that is coming home for me.  Governors State University is seeking a new Director of Sponsored Programs and Research.  The announcement has been posted in all the ‘right’ spots, including on some professional organizations’ websites.  The initial posting went out two weeks ago and to date we have, I believe, 8, possibly 9 applicants!  A few years ago that number would have been easily doubled.  This is an attractive location, just outside Chicago; the school is young and evolving, with lots of energy, and the office was just established in April 2006 so there is plenty of room for creativity and growth.  Why so few applicants? 

 

I am thinking that the people wanting a senior position are simply not coming up through the ranks, somehow.  And, your questions, Robin, about what are we as a profession doing are really pertinent.  I do wonder, what ARE we doing to sell this work as valid and exciting and, yes, might I say, even fun - sometimes?

 

Mary H. Watson, Ph.D.

Director, OSPR

Governors State University

 

 

Several interesting questions posed this week and last week and this week have gotten me thinking...

 

What are we collectively doing to encourage the younger generation to follow in our footsteps? Surely it isn't the compensation - just kidding. But seriously, outside of professional meetings do you do anything? Try to get others at your institution interested in grants? Talk to people younger than that? Out of curiosity what do you find the age demographic to be at your institutions? I am certainly one of the youngest around my hallways at 33 - and the funny thing is I consider this to be my second career because I started it at 29. I don't see many people my own age doing this, and I wonder if in 5 or 10 years we are going to have a severe shortage of people in the field?

 

Just some random ideas I've had floating around my head ever since Maggie Bryan-Peterson from SUNY Fredonia said "Where have all the administrators gone? ;-)"

 

Robin

**************************************
Robin Dewey
Research Grants Manager
Department of Medicine Administration
University of Rochester Medical Center
601 Elmwood Avenue
Box MED, Room 3-3236
Rochester, NY 14642
Phone: 585-275-6253
Fax: 585-442-3695
xxxxxx@rochester.edu