University of Newcastle; Supervised by Prof Allyson Holbrook; PhD or equivalent.
Commenced in or prior to 2005 - Completed (or expected to be completed) 2009.
Field of Study: Research Management & Administration
Is research directly related to the work of professional staff in tertiary education? Yes
Scholarship: APA

Contact: darlene.sebalj@studentmail.newcastle.edu.au
Website: www.newcastle.edu.au/research-centre/sorti/people/darlene-sebalj.html

Abstract: This foundational research aimed to develop a picture of the profile, role and contribution of research services managers and administrators within Australian universities. The contextual backdrop to the study was the lead up to the then planned 2008 implementation of the Australian Research Quality Framework (RQF). Undertaking the study at that time provided the opportunity to capture how staff prepare for, and respond to, significant policy change events. It is hoped that this evidence-based research highlights a particular subset of the work of university administrators, thereby, encouraging the long overdue recognition of this group as a profession in their own right and, more importantly, to increase their visibility as partners to academics in the business of higher education. Such work will advance our understanding of the professional contribution by research administrators to university research and by extension, to Australia’s global competitiveness.