An Analysis of Academic Research Administration Central Office Structures
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2017-12
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Abstract
The purpose of this Capstone Project was to assess academic research office structures. A descriptive and qualitative research method was used in the process of conducting a literature review and the analysis of survey results obtained specifically for this project. A sample of five institutions of higher education were surveyed in order to compare and contrast their experiences with the University of Colorado Boulder. There was an investigation into the history of the research administration office, an examination of areas that can impact a research office structure, and an analysis of recent trends affecting change in the field of research administration.
The results of this capstone project reflect the importance of office infrastructure in the perception of research administration staff and the growing prevalence of the team based model in academic research offices. In an increasingly competitive funding environment, academic research institutions are learning to adapt through change management while working to ensure staff and faculty expectations are met. The results reflect a trend towards the centralization of research administration work on academic campuses. There is also a prevailing desire for better communication and more defined roles and responsibilities by those working in research administration.
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office, structure, research, administration