..if research administrators all understood that research preceded its administration... Personally, and with all things subjective, I am sharpened each time I work with research faculty (senior and junior). I serve and at times I am tested (e.g., 'the proposal deadline isn't until midnight'). Often (and it's true) RA posts are defined and redefined and perceived by the finest researchers. Our role is to be whatever will settle them: the budget curator, (to be fancy); the coordinator for letters of support; the S424 filler-inner; the Fastlane or Grants.gov last minute 'submitter'. We are "paper work" and gate keepers. There are delicate tensions at every turn that we (grant developers at least) must ease. It's always a challenge to serve, to read and edit content on a subject we are not specialists of, but as with any challenge the role of RA cannot be understood the same by all. Research does precede administration, in other words, for me and for hundreds more, and with fullest respect. >>> Charlie Hathaway <xxxxxx@AECOM.YU.EDU> 3/14/2007 9:21 PM >>> "PI's perspective"? I think it is a safe assumption that senior faculty members, especially at research intensive schools, know a hell of a lot about research administration. What remains in critical shortage are research administrators who really know what research is about. Certainly some can talk the talk vis-a-vis scientific method and study design jargon. But can you really convey to anyone the frustrations and joys of the actual process? Maybe it is the personal attachment to a question, the ownership of the search, that makes it special. God bless our system for understanding that it is individuals, enabled by genius and driven by passion, developing the great hypothesis, one's own great hypothesis, that makes science work. I do not think that you need research experience to be a good research administrator. But if research administrators all understood that research preceded its administration, researchers that keep us employed, and that while perhaps necessary, it is really lunacy to make scholars perform all these tricks for grant dollars, then I think the RA profession would be better and would be more respected by the faculty we seek to serve. Again I request that the next time you hear someone say, "Gee, you'd think a PhD could understand what a DUNS number is", that you fire or strangle them. Of course, you are allowed to also strangle the researcher who really is abusive. But always consider first that there is probably a lot that neither of you know about the other's work and life. And then try to be as saintly as you can. Charlie > ...when really, in some cases, the faculty member with extensive research experience only knows research administration from a PI's perspective (which can be somewhat limited). > > Paul Eduard Tuttle, Associate Director > Office of Sponsored Programs > Room C024G, Anderson Center > Winston-Salem State University > Winston-Salem, NC 27110 > direct: (336) 750-3019 > office: (336) 750-2410 > fax: (336) 750-2412 > email: xxxxxx@wssu.edu > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of Myra Norman > Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2007 4:52 PM > To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org > Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] sponsored programs backgrounds > > I agree with Spanky. I have a doctorate, but not the faculty > background. This is a stumbling block for someone who would like to move higher into a Associate VP or VP position. Search committees still look for faculty with extensive research. > > -- > Myra Norman, Director > Office of Sponsored Programs > Middle Tennessee State University > Email: xxxxxx@mtsu.edu > Telephone: (615) 898-5005 > Fax: (615) 898-5028 > > > ====================================================================== > Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists") > ====================================================================== > > > ====================================================================== > Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists") > ====================================================================== > ====================================================================== Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists") ====================================================================== ====================================================================== Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists") ======================================================================
