The professionalisation of research support staff: New skills for research managers to face the international challenges of the research and innovation ecosystem

The European Commission (EC) has been developing a common European Research Area (ERA) to strengthen the EU's position in research and development. A set of Actions, forming the ERA Policy Agenda, has been established. Of particular importance to the RMA community is ERA Action 17, where the EC recognizes the importance of proper management as a backbone of efficient research and innovation systems. A strong community of research managers is essential for excellent hubs in knowledge creation and innovation. The ERA Policy Agenda aims to support networking, improve training and skills development for research management staff, develop better research management capacities, and pave the way toward recognizing research management professions. Enhancing career prospects and working conditions for managerial staff aligns with Europe-wide efforts to attract, retain, and skill talents in Europe’s research and innovation system.

Goals
The event will stimulate an open dialogue on the professional development of research managers in public and private Italian institutions. It will focus on promoting training initiatives, networking, and new skills development, showcasing concrete examples of activities carried out at the European and Italian levels. In line with upcoming European actions on research management, the event aims to:

• Increase awareness of the professionalism of research managers in public and private research institutions.
• Promote dialogue and collaboration between research managers, knowledge transfer managers, policy makers, and other actors in the research and innovation ecosystem, considering emerging challenges and new European policies.
• Identify new skills and training needs for professionals.

Agenda of the Day:
09:30 – 10:00 | Registration and welcome coffee
10:00 – 10:30 | Institutional welcome

• Mariachiara Zanetti, Vice-Rector for Local, National, and European Affairs, Politecnico di Torino
• Vincenzo Tedesco, Director - General, Politecnico di Torino
• Laura Fulci, Head of Research, Technology Transfer, and Innovation Department, Politecnico di Torino

SESSION 1: The Role of Research Management in Europe and Italy
Presenting: Valentina Romano, Head of Collaborative Research Division, Politecnico di Torino and Coordinator of Italian Research Managers
10:30 – 11:00 | The Recognition of Research Managers and the Path Towards Professionalization in Europe

• Giulia Carpineti, Unit A2 - ERA, Spreading Excellence and Research Careers, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission

11:00 – 11:30 | Creating Framework Conditions for Research Management to Strengthen the European Research Area

• Nik Claesen, Managing Director, European Association of Research Managers & Administrators (EARMA) and Coordinator of RM ROADMAP Project

11:30 – 12:00 | The Professionalisation of Research Managers in Italy

• Maria Luisa Lavitrano, Full Professor, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Expert on ERA Action 17 and Coordinator of RItrainPlus Project

12:00 – 13:00 | Round Table: The Challenges of the National Ecosystem for Research Managers
Moderating: Laura Fulci, Head of Research, Technology Transfer, and Innovation Department, Politecnico di Torino

• Alberto Anfossi, Secretary General, Compagnia di San Paolo
• Alessandra Baccigotti, Representative of the Network for Research Valorization (NETVAL)
• Alessandro Coda, Engineering & Technology Office – Strategic Tech Partnerships - Director of Collaborative Projects & University Partnerships, Stellantis
• Luca Moretti, Head of the CNR Brussels Office and Member of the ERAC Task Force (TBC)
• Loredana Segreto, Director - General, Università del Piemonte Orientale

13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch

SESSION 2: Research Managers' Tasks and Competencies
Presenting: Francesca Mura, Head of International Research Office, University of Padua and Core Group Member of the Italian Research Manager Network
14:00 – 14:30 | The European Professional Development Framework for Research Managers

• Lluís Rovira Pato, Director, Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR) and Partner of CARDEA Project

14:30 – 15:00 | The Italian Professional Development Framework and the Activities of Research Managers in Italy

• Valentina Romano, Head of Collaborative Research Division, Politecnico di Torino and Coordinator of Italian Research Managers
• Adele Del Bello, Programme Manager, RESTART Foundation and RM ROADMAP Ambassador

15:00 – 15:10 | Soft Skills in Research Management: RAAAP and RAPIDS Projects (Recorded Video)

• Melinda Fischer, Grants Administrator, Clemson University
• Simon Kerridge, Honorary Staff, Research and Innovation Services, University of Kent and Founder of Kerridge Research Consulting

15:10 – 16:00 | Interactive Session: Discussion on The New Skills of Research Managers to Address the International Challenges of the Research and Innovation Ecosystem
Moderators: Mirella Collini, Head of Research Management Division, Università di Trento and Marco Berzano, Head of Medical Area, International Project Service, Università Politecnica delle Marche; Core Group Members of the Italian Research Manager Network
16:00 | Closing remarks and end of the meeting.

The event will be held exclusively in person, and to participate, you need to register at this link by July 5th.

For more information contact RIMIN.Europoli@polito.it.