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Introduction

This survey is part of an ongoing exercise by The African Academy of Sciences and the Association of Research Managers and Administrators (UK) under their collaborative project – ‘Strengthening Research Management Communities of Practice in Africa’. The project is contributing to the Africa wide ‘Research Management Programme in Africa’ (ReMPro Africa), an initiative of The AAS. ReMPro aims to fill critical gaps in the African research ecosystem to support a vibrant research culture and   leadership at universities and research institutions. It also aims to transform research management at institutional level. The initiative is addressing these gaps through four key interconnected strands, namely: institutional leadership, sustainability, standards and developing individual capacity of research management staff.

The survey aims to map and identify the strengths and gaps of African research institutions in specific core functions identified by the AAS as critical for a robust research management support system, namely: research governance and policies; research infrastructure; training and development; communication and engagement; funding and collaboration; project management; and research integrity. It will also be instrumental in contextualising the operational environment of research management staff in Africa.

The survey recognises research management professionals as anyone, overseeing, carrying out administrative or operational support functions related to research in an institution. These can include activities related to pre- and post-award management, such as, procurement, contractual arrangements, finance, Intellectual Property, research communication and public engagement, research IT systems management etc.

The survey is divided into two sections:
Section one: context, drawn from literature
Section two: development needs of research management professionals.

This survey is available in both English and French languages. To access and fill out the French version of the survey please follow this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8YNXH7X

It should not take more than 25 minutes. In case of any questions related to this survey, please contact the ReMPro team at remproafrica@aasciences.africa or Eva Kagiri-Kalanzi at eva@arma.ac.uk 

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* 1. Profile information

To help us analyse the responses to the survey, we'd like to collect some profile information. All data will be handled according to The African Academy of Sciences data privacy and protection policy, which can be accessed here. 

In which country are you based in?

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* 2. What institution do you work at?

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* 3. What is your job role?

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* 4. What is your gender?

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* 5. Are you a member of your regional Research Management and Innovation Association?

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* 6. Section one: Research context

In this first part of the survey, we’d like to understand the research context in your area. To do this, we’ve developed a ‘context scenario’, drawn from a range of literature, that captures some of the challenges facing researchers and research managers across Africa. At the same time, we are very aware that this does not capture the nuances of different regions and different countries. To help us refine this understanding, please read the following scenario and then answer the questions below.

Scenario: At a systems level, the literature points to a context where governments have not prioritised the role of research & innovation in national policies, due to different factors: such as political unrest and insecurity in some areas; and a focus on providing basic social services in others. Where a national research policy framework is in place, it is often incomplete, uncoordinated, fragmented, or poorly implemented. Research funding also remains an issue and has been cited as being inadequate, non-existent or misappropriated. At an institutional level, the literature records perceived gaps in strategic management; low accountability for research; poor relationships between staff and unhelpful power dynamics; gaps in research governance, data, and capacity; and workloads and incentives that favour teaching, administration and consulting over research, leading to significant brain drain. At the same time, some interventions – including centres of excellence, north-south partnerships, and the development of networks and consortia – have been positive.

How well does this scenario capture the situation in your country?

Not at all Very well.
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i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 7. What are the three most important interventions that would bring the most impact for your country?

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* 8. What key issues from your country are missing from the scenario? Please describe in as much detail at you can.

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* 9. Which of these interventions are most likely to be successful in your country/institution? Please tick all that apply.

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* 10. What interventions have been successful in your country/institution in building capacity of research management staff?

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* 11. Section two: Professional development of research managers

In this section, we’d like to explore the context in which research managers within your institution are operating, range of knowledge and skills that are most essential, and the extent of existing expertise and any professional development needs.

Research governance and policies
Governance is the set of rules and policies that should form the basis of decision making within an organisation. This section seeks information about institutional, school, faculty and/ or departmental governance and policies in place to support research in your institution. Examples of policies include HR, financial, data, procurement, regulatory, and IP.

How aware of institutional research governance and policies are you?

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* 12. How well developed is the research governance framework (including policies) in your institution?

Not developed Very well developed
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i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 13. How well has your institution implemented a research governance framework (including relevant policies) to support good quality research?

Not at all Very well
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i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 14. Which skills related to research governance and policies require most development in your institution? (Please tick all that apply)

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* 15. Are there any other skills that you think are important for establishing effective research governance and policies in your institution? Please specify.

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* 16. Research Strategy

Strategy sets out what an organisation wants to achieve and how it will achieve that change. This section looks for information about your institutional, school, faculty and/or departmental strategies that provide frameworks in which research will be developed and delivered.

How aware of institutional research strategies are you?

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* 17. How well developed is the research strategy

  Least developed Somewhat developed Well developed
In your institution?
In your school or faculty?
In your department or research unit?

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* 18. How well do you think your institution has implemented research strategy to support good quality research?

Not at all Very well
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i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 19. Which research strategy skills require most development in your institution? (Please tick all that apply)

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* 20. Are there any other skills that you think are important for developing and implementing research strategy in your institution? Please specify.

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* 21. Institutional support services and infrastructure

This section looks at research support services and research infrastructure currently within your institution.
Do you have a dedicated research office in your institution?

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* 22. If yes, what is the capacity (full-time equivalent staff numbers) of the research office?

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* 23. If no, how is research supported within your institution?

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* 24. How well established is the technical research infrastructure in your organisation? You might think about laboratory facilities, library facilities, subscriptions, and video-conferencing facilities.

Not at all established Very well established
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i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 25. Please add any comments to explain your answer to the previous question.

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* 26. Professional development and training

In this section, we ask questions about the systematic approaches to professional development opportunities for research management staff.
Does your institution offer career progression opportunities for research management staff?

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* 27. What are the key knowledge, skills and resources that would be useful for Research Management staff in your institution?

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* 28. How aware are you of training providers and/or schemes that offer development related to research management skills?

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* 29. What type of professional development delivery do you prefer? Please tick all that apply.

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* 30. Communication and Engagement
In this section, we look at the mechanisms and platforms or tools that exist within organisations for engaging with audiences across the institution and with external partners/ stakeholders.
How well developed do you think research communications are within:

  Not developed Somewhat developed Well developed Very well developed
Your institution?
Your school, faculty or directorate?
Your department or research unit?

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* 31. How are these communications enacted/ carried out? Please tick all that apply.

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* 32. How well developed do you think research communications are with external stakeholders and/or partners?

Not well developed Well developed
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i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 33. How well do you think your institution recognises the importance of research communications and engagement in delivering good quality research?

Not understood Very well understood
Clear
i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 34. How well do you think your institution recognises the importance of research impact?

Not understood Very well understood
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i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 35. What do you understand by research impact?

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* 36. Which skills related to research communications and engagement require most development in your institution? (Please tick all that apply)

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* 37. Are there any other skills that you think are important for ensuring research communications, engagement and impact in your institution? Please specify.

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* 38. Funding and collaboration

In funding and collaboration, we're looking at the extent of systematic approaches to identifying and managing research funding (pre- and post-award) and research collaborations.

How well do you think your institution actively sources and manages external funding, collaborations and partnerships in delivering good quality research?

Not at all Very well
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i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 39. Which skills related to funding and collaboration require most development in your institution? (Please tick all that apply)

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* 40. Are there any other skills that you think are important for developing funding, collaborations and partnerships in your institution? Please specify.

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* 41. Project Management

Project management is a set of tools that can be used to manage the delivery of projects successful. In this section, we ask about the project management tools within your institution, including contract review, financial management and compliance.
How would you rate the research project management expertise in your institution?

Not at all developed Very well developed
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i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 42. How well do you think your institution recognises the importance of project management expertise in relation to delivering good quality research?

Not at all understood Very well understood
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i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 43. How well established is the framework (policies, systems and processes) for project management in your institution?

Not established Embedded within day-to-day activities
Clear
i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 44. Which project management skills require most development in your institution? (Please tick all that apply)

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* 45. Are there any other skills that you think are important for project management in your institution? Please specify.

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* 46. Research integrity

Research integrity means conducting research in a way which allows others to have trust and confidence both in the methods used and the research findings. It includes, but is not defined by, research ethics. The final section of our survey explores the extent to which your institution has defined and widespread approaches to ensure research integrity.
How well developed do you think research integrity is within your:

  Not developed Not well developed Developed Very well developed
Country?
Institution?
Departments/units within your institution?

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* 47. How well do you think your institution implements research integrity to support good quality research?

Not at all Very well
Clear
i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 48. Which skills related to research integrity require most development in your institution? (Please tick all that apply)

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* 49. Are there any other skills that you think are important for ensuring research integrity in your institution? Please specify

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* 50. Are there any other comments you would like to make in relation to this survey?

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* 51. Thank you for taking part in this survey. Your comments will be used to inform the development of resources and training to support the research management community. If you would like to find out the results of this survey or any of The AAS and ARMA's activities related to ReMPro, please include your name and contact details below:

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