RM ROADMAP survey

The main aim of the survey developed by the RM ROADMAP project is to get a comprehensive picture of the current situation of Research Managers (RMs) across Europe. In our understanding, the term RMs covers a wide range of experts at different professional levels bearing specific knowledge:

1. to streamline/facilitate the planning, the development, management, administration, communication and valorisation of research and innovation,
2. to ensure compliance with policy objectives, funding programme requirements, financial rules and legal regulations,
3. to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of R&I projects/system, and/or
4. to enhance the impact of R&I on the society.

Whether they are generalists or specialised in a particular field, RMs are involved in different phases of the research and innovation projects/system.

This survey builds on previous surveys, primarily on the RAAAP (Research Administration As A Profession) series, an international, longitudinal set that has identified the key skills, attitudes and behaviours of successful research management and administration leaders, their involvement in support for impact, and their routes into the profession. This approach makes the answers comparable and provides an opportunity for a deeper analysis. However, its inclusiveness and European focus make the present survey unique, which predicts the setting of further goals, namely, the formulation of recommendations:

• on an inclusive definition and terminology including RM professional categories;
• on an RM career development framework;
• on an RM skill and competence matrix; as well as
• on a future RM training scheme.

Participation

The completion of the survey approximately takes ca. 25 minutes. Using a laptop or a similar device is recommended as several questions have multiple parts. You can save your answers by clicking on "Save and continue later" on the top of the page; thus filling in the survey can be paused any time and you can resume later. When navigating through the survey, however, please do it through the 'back' and 'forward' buttons, otherwise you will loose your data.

Participation in the research is entirely voluntary, and you have the right to withdraw from the research at any time, without any consequence, by simply closing the survey.

Data management

All data will be collected anonymously and then cleansed. If you are interested in being informed about the results of the research and/or would like to volunteer for interviews, you will have the opportunity to give us your email address at the end of the survey.

Collected data will be shared on online open access repositories (Figshare and Zenodo) after thorough anonymization. Any information that could lead to an individual being identified will be completely and irreversibly redacted. Results of the research will be also published open access in research reports and possibly in peer-reviewed scientific publications.

Contact

If you have any questions or complaints about the survey or your participation, please contact the research team at rm-roadmap@hetfa.hu and rm-roadmap@novaims.unl.pt