Strengthening of Collaboration, Leadership and Professionalisation in Research Management; Application Number: 138

One of the greatest challenges faced by higher education institutions (HEIs) is the effective and strategic management of research and innovation to ensure sustainability in an increasingly complex and competitive global environment. Sourcing external funding continues to be challenging and uncertain, and have a focus on excellent science and pro-actively set priorities. HEIs increasingly need to partner with other institutions and organisations, and demonstrate research quality, relevance, impact and innovation throughout. Skilled research and innovation managers (RMs) are key in the efforts of modern HEIs to help sustain and grow research, and a professional RM function is a critical enabler for HEIs to achieve maximum research deliverables and impact (Langley, D. (2012): Research management and administration. Perspectives: Policy & Practice in Higher Education. 16(3), 71-76).

In the developing world, in particular, there is a need for universities to build a stronger research base, enabling its researchers to find evidence-based solutions for unique local challenges. In Africa, governments are placing increased focus on national research priorities and strengthening their   research-intensive HEIs. International collaboration is essential to addressing national societal challenges, and has been shown to increase the efficiency of outputs. Therefore improved and professionalised RM capacity will also play a key role in strengthening the delivery of Africa's research agenda, and in supporting international collaboration. However, in many African HEIs the capacity for effective RM is not yet well established, and as yet no professional RM qualification or career pathway exists on the African continent. The aim of a new Erasmus+ programme-funded international project entitled “StoRM” (Strengthening of RM) is to promote research support, delivery, innovation and impacts through capacity building and professionalisation of a globally connected and up-skilled group of RMs.