The second national event of the “Italian Research Managers” network recently took place at Eurac Research in Bolzano, marking a significant milestone for the professionalization of Research Management (RMA) in Italy. The initiative, titled “L’impatto dei research manager”, gathered over 100 professionals from universities, research centers, and both public and private organizations to discuss the strategic role of RMAs within the European Research Area (ERA).
The University of Siena participated in the event with the Research and Technology Transfer Division.
The two-day program was designed to develop a shared vision of the profession: the first day focused on the strategic and institutional dimensions, while the second was dedicated to thematic workshops and the development of emerging transversal skills. The sessions highlighted how research management is becoming a fundamental pillar of institutional governance, essential for fostering scientific excellence and securing international funding.
Specific attention was given to the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence throughout the project lifecycle. The dedicated workshop explored the contribution of AI tools from the ideation and proposal writing stages to project management and reporting, highlighting both their operational value and their ethical implications. Furthermore, the session on contextual complexity explored the role of the RMA as a cultural mediator in complex inter-organizational environments. Through practical scenarios, participants discussed the importance of facilitating collective work and mutual understanding between different “communities of practice” to manage potential regulatory and operational incompatibilities.
The Round Table sparked an authentic peer-to-peer dialogue between universities, research institutions, and public-private partners. The discussion emphasized that sharing best practices and mutual recognition of expertise are the foundations for building a cohesive professional community ready to support national scientific excellence.
The Poster Session was a key highlight, showcasing innovative practices and tools developed by various Italian institutions. The “Poster Challenge” served as an opportunity to showcase participants’ work, culminating in an award ceremony for the best contributions selected by both a technical jury and the audience. These initiatives demonstrated how to build cohesive RMA communities and bridge the gap between administrative processes and scientific research.
The high level of participation confirms the increasing recognition of Research Managers within the Italian research system. This initiative is part of a wider effort to strengthen the profession at a national level and further consolidate the “Italian Research Managers” network in line with international dynamics.
For the full report, please read the article: Italian Research Managers – Event Report