Effective research administration involves several core relational skills. In this 3-part series, we will look at: • Effective communication – essentials and best practices, including establishing key messages, mindful listening, persuasion, and assertiveness. • Stakeholder collaboration – defining stakeholders and their requirements to build effective collaborations. • Prioritization and time management - applying a goal-setting approach to tasks, classifying work within the urgent-vs-important matrix, and look at some effective tools for managing your time to increase effectiveness and productivity and (more importantly) to reduce stress and improve contribution.

Effective research administration involves several core relational skills. In part 2 of the series, we will look at: • Effective communication – essentials and best practices, including establishing key messages, mindful listening, persuasion, and assertiveness. • Stakeholder collaboration – defining stakeholders and their requirements to build effective collaborations. • Prioritization and time management - applying a goal-setting approach to tasks, classifying work within the urgent-vs-important matrix, and look at some effective tools for managing your time to increase effectiveness and productivity and (more importantly) to reduce stress and improve contribution.

There is no magic wand or wonder pill or one strategy by itself to compel faculty to apply for funding and to do research projects. This session will cover some simple, down to earth strategies at both the individual level and institutional level that can be used to engage faculty to be more active in research activities. Individually, tactics such as meeting with new faculty, creating personalized timelines for applying for funding, sending out targeted emails, creating grant templates, and providing funding opportunities via a monthly newsletter will be discussed. At the institutional level, necessary factors such as providing research supports, having access to bridge funding, providing necessary training through grant workshops, acknowledging research accomplishments, promoting collaborations via networking lunches, having targeted programming to support grant development, having a matching funds program, and the need for faculty research mentorship programs will be considered. This presentation will end with an interactive exercise to discuss best practices to encourage time-pressed faculty members to participate in research.

Effective research administration involves several core relational skills. In 3rd part of the series, we finish our look at: • Effective communication – essentials and best practices, including establishing key messages, mindful listening, persuasion, and assertiveness. • Stakeholder collaboration – defining stakeholders and their requirements to build effective collaborations. • Prioritization and time management - applying a goal-setting approach to tasks, classifying work within the urgent-vs-important matrix, and look at some effective tools for managing your time to increase effectiveness and productivity and (more importantly) to reduce stress and improve contribution.

This will be an in-person version of the webinar that was presented to CARA members on June 26, 2024. If you are a presenter at CARA West, please bring your laptops and presentations - we will have time built into the session for you to make changes that support accessibility and ask questions!

It is difficult to put square pegs in round holes and systems change is typically quite slow. Within that context, and with recognition that many institutions are in processes of decolonization, this session will explore approaches for decolonizing research administration. The value of authentic, place-based and relationship-based approaches will be brought forward, as well as questions around systems and practices that thwart and render disingenuous those approaches. Rhianna is of Irish, Romanian, Dutch and Welsh decent.

Authors: Dr. Robert Henry, Dr. Chelsea Gabel, Terri Hansen-Gardiner, Fleur Macqueen Smith (presenter) Despite the push towards integrated knowledge translation, we have found that many researchers and research administrators still think more about knowledge translation and mobilization near the end of a research project rather than the outset. In the CIHR-funded Saskatchewan NEIHR network (Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research), we are encouraging researchers to use KT strategies as an entry point to developing partnerships with Indigenous communities. The nātawihowin and mamawiikikayaahk Research, Training and Mentorship Networks that make up the SK-NEIHR provide funding of up to $10,000 for knowledge translation and community research partnership development to assist in developing these partnerships. One example of this approach is a legacy project led by Terri Hansen-Gardiner (Métis), the Saskatchewan NEIHR’s knowledge keeper in residence. As a breast cancer survivor living in northern Saskatchewan, Terri is an advocate for Métis undergoing cancer treatment. In 2023, she co-led a knowledge translation legacy project with Dr. Robert Henry and Dr. Chelsea Gabel, both Métis researchers, and the StoryCentre Canada. In July 2023, at the Back to Batoche Métis Gathering, we brought together six senior Métis residents of Northern Saskatchewan who were cancer survivors. Together with facilitators from StoryCentre Canada, and staff of the Saskatchewan NEIHR, survivors visited and created digital stories of their cancer experiences. Once the stories were completed, we brought participants back to Saskatoon to share their completed stories, and talk about what the project meant to them. Speaking about the experience at Back to Batoche afterwards, Terri said, “That was one of the best weekends I have had since I started doing cancer advocacy and support, and helping with cancer research after my own cancer diagnosis and recovery. Afterwards, I talked to other Métis people who participated, and we all felt the same way. It was a very special few days together.” We have found the advantages of focusing on knowledge translation first helps develop more authentic relationships from which research partnerships can form, counters extractive methods, and emphasizes storytelling as a process of research development. By “working backwards” this research highlights the importance not on the question, but on the process and outcome to create authentic relational accountability.

The CFI will share upcoming activities and discuss ongoing activities. We will touch on the Northern Fund, provide highlights from the 2023 Innovation Fund strengths and weakness analysis, and answer questions about the 2025 Innovation Fund competition (or any other fund). We will also highlight some common myths about CFI programs and funding. As usual, we will encourage a discussion with the participants.

In the ever-evolving landscape of college research, fostering a sustainable research culture is more critical than ever. This session aims to delve into the current state of research culture at Humber College, examining how we've arrived at this point and sharing insights into our strategies for creating a sustainable future. This session will be an opportunity for other Colleges and institutions to share their experiences and best practices, and we hope to identify actionable steps that institutions can take to support a thriving, inclusive, and resilient research environment. Participants will be divided into small groups to share research culture successes.

The issues negotiated in clinical trial agreements haven't changed that much over the years. There have been a number of streamlining projects over the years, including a model agreement funded by CIHR and contract principles adopted by many hospitals. Yet, the contracts process is slow and cumbersome. This talk will cover reasons that the process takes so long, including personnel skill sets, the value of prioritization and follow ups, the impact of volume of work and institutional resources, negotiation tips and how to consider improvements for the future.