ARMS ACCREDITATION NEWSLETTER

December 2024

Welcome to the latest edition of our Accreditation Newsletter.

In this edition, we will focus on:

The year that was 2024;
Our 2024 Accreditation Programs:
- Foundation Level Accreditation Program (FLAP)
- Established Level Accreditation Program (ELAP)
Master Classes;
Training Fellows; and
Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

THE YEAR THAT WAS 2024

Throughout the year, ARMS accomplished a number of significant milestones:

Commenced the review and update of compulsory Foundation Level Accreditation Program (FLAP) modules to ensure that they are current, relevant, and meet the goals of the program. These included:
- 1.1-Aus: The National Research and Innovation System in Australia
- 1.2-Aus: Legislation as it Affects Research in Australia
- 1.3: Understanding Research and Researchers (all regions)
Conducted twenty-three (23) online elective modules, engaging and educating over 255 participants.
Provided online compulsory modules via a Learning Management System (LMS) to 297 participants.
Administered Foundation Level Accreditation Program case studies in May and October, with 46 participants.
Delivered the Costing and Pricing of Research Master Class on five (5) occasions and the Fundamentals of Project Management Master Class two (2) times, meeting diverse learning needs. This included hosting three (3) in-person Master Classes on Costing and Pricing.
Welcomed eight (8) new participants into the Established Level Accreditation Program (ELAP) with a further three (3) applications pending.
Delivered five (5) electives and one (1) Leadership, Management and Strategic Thinking Program which form part of the ELAP.

ARMS extends its gratitude and recognition to our esteemed Training Fellows for generously dedicating their time and expertise in delivering one or more Modules or Master Classes.

Foundation Level Accreditation Modules:

Module 2.1: Pre-Award Grants Processes – Professor Margaret Jones, Dr Fraser Rogerson and Dr Julian Zipparo
Module 2.2: Post-Award Processes – Dr Marina Delpin and Ms Sharon York
Module 2.3: Research Finance - Mr Chris Thompson
Module 2.4: Navigating Agreements - Ms Karen Burke
Module 3.1: Higher Degree by Research Scholarships – Dr Louise Dwyer
Module 3.2: Higher Degree by Research International Partnerships – Dr Anne-Marie Hede
Module 3.3: Higher Degree by Research Candidature Management – Dr Louise Dwyer
Module 3.4: Higher Degree by Research Admissions and Completions - Dr Anne-Marie Hede
Module 4.1: Research Ethics - Human and Animal – Dr Heidi Gaulke and Dr Yordanka Krastev
Module 4.2: Research Integrity - Dr Marina Delpin and Dr Willie Koh
Module 5.1: Research Information and Reporting – Mr Alistair Duncan and Ms Michelle Duryea
Module 6.1: Working with Industry – Mr Taksil Dias and Ms Tania Tambiah

Master Classes:

Costing and Pricing of Research – Mr Jeff Kasparian, Ms Connie Killey and Mr Chris Thompson
Fundamentals of Project Management – Ms Sharon Auburn and Mr Jeff Kasparian

FOUNDATION LEVEL ACCREDITATION PROGRAM

Compulsory Online Foundation Level Accreditation Modules:

Registrations for all compulsory (online) Australian modules are currently closed as content is being updated. The Modules will be available from April 2025. These modules include:
- 1.1-Aus: The National Research and Innovation System in Australia;
- 1.2-Aus: Legislation as it Affects Research in Australia; and
- 1.3: Understanding Research and Researchers (all regions).
  
  NOTE: Members wishing to register for Singapore and New Zealand specific compulsory Modules (except for Module 1.3) may continue to do so during this period.
  
  Compulsory Modules should be completed within twenty eight days (28) of commencement of the Module via the LMS (Moodle).
  
  To ensure that Modules content is current, we advise that participants complete compulsory modules within one (1) year from the date of purchase.

Foundation Level Accreditation Program Elective Modules:

The Society aims to offer elective modules to members where feasible and based on identified needs.
On average, Foundation Level Accreditation elective Modules will be delivered via Zoom 2 times a year, while HDR modules will be delivered once annually.
Registrations for all elective Modules are expected to open on the ARMS website in March 2025.
Delivery of the elective Modules is set to commence in May 2025 and conclude in October 2025.
The Society retains the right to cancel, postpone, or reschedule modules in the event of insufficient registration numbers or unforeseen circumstances.

ESTABLISHED LEVEL ACCREDITATION PROGRAM

In 2024, the Established Level Accreditation Program (ELAP) continued to expand with eight (8) new members commencing the three-year program, three applications under review and four participants graduating.

ARMS wishes to formally congratulate the following 2024 Accredited Research Managers (Established), ARME's:

Ms Sharon Aburn, Monash University
Ms Louise Barnsbee, Griffith University
Dr Denise Dillon, James Cook University, Singapore
Ms Veronica Loew, University of Melbourne

Leadership, Management and Strategic Thinking

In 2024, ARMS delivered the highly engaging and informative Leadership, Management and Strategic Thinking Program to thirteen (13) participants. The program, scheduled over five (5) online sessions covers topics on leadership, management and strategic thinking. The program is scheduled for delivery in August 2025.

Electives

Five (5) Electives were successfully delivered in 2024:

Research Funding: A Pathway to Best Practise – Professor Moira Clay – March 2024
Maximising Research Impact: The role of Research Managers in supporting impact to thrive – Dr Faith Welch – May 2024
Business Process Improvement in Research Management – Assoc Prof Tam C. Nguyen – June 2024
Due Diligence and Good Governance in Research – Mr Chris Thompson – October 2024
Informed Decision Making in Research Management: Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis Methodologies – Dr Simon Kerridge, Madhuri Dutta, Melinda Fischer and Cristina Oliveira - October/November 2024

2025 Elective Schedule

The 2025 schedule is now available via the ARMS website Registrations will open closer to the delivery dates.

Expressions of Interest

Prospective participants seeking enrolment in the Established Level Accreditation Program (ELAP) can apply at any time by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI).

We encourage mid to senior-level Research Management Professionals to contact the ARMS Accreditation and Member Engagement Coordinator, Dana Watts, to discuss their ELAP journey. ARMSAccreditation@researchmanagement.org.au.

MASTER CLASSES

In the upcoming year, ARMS remains committed to offering its highly sought-after Master Classes focused on the Costing and Pricing of Research and the Fundamentals of Project Management. These comprehensive classes will span two (2) partial days, comprising concise 2.5 or 3.5 hour on line sessions.

Registrations will open in March 2025, and the Master Classes are scheduled for delivery commencing in July.

Attendance and successful completion of the assessment for each Master Class will enable participants to accumulate accreditation points for the Established Level Accreditation Program.

TRAINING FELLOWS

ARMS is currently seeking to expand its current pool of ARMS Training Fellows. These subject specialists will be provided the opportunity to deliver, and/or review, Foundation Level Accreditation Program Modules and or Master Classes.

In particular, Training Fellows are currently being sought for:

Module 2.3: Research Finance
Master Class: Costing and Pricing of Research

Interested in becoming an ARMS Training Fellow? Here are 6 good reasons to consider applying:
1. Hone your leadership skills;
2. Actively contribute to the upskilling of our global research management workforce;
3. Provide opportunities to engage with like-minded Research Management Professionals from across the broad geographical remit of ARMS;
4. Apply for CPD hours as part of the ELAP;
5. Receive an honorarium payment to recognise the time needed to prepare and deliver a workshop; and
6. Help support your own professional development training needs.
  Want to find out more or apply? Visit the website for full details.
  Please direct any enquiries to ARMSAccreditation@researchmanagement.org.au.

The following new Training Fellows were welcomed in 2024:

Dr Rahel Cramer

Module 3.1: Higher Degree by Research Scholarships
Module 3.2: Higher Degree by International Partnerships
Module 3.3: Higher Degree by Candidature Management
Module 3.4: Higher Degree by Admissions and Completions

Dr Anne-Marie Hede

Module 3.1: Higher Degree by Research Scholarships
Module 3.2: Higher Degree by International Partnerships
Module 3.3: Higher Degree by Candidature Management
Module 3.4: Higher Degree by Admissions and Completions

Dr Dora Horvath

Module 2.4: Navigating Agreements: A Guide for Research Management Professionals

Dr Teresa Howard

Module 2.2: Post_ Award Grants Processes
Module 2.4: Navigating Agreements
Master Class: Fundamentals of Project Management

Dr Floris van der Leest

Module 2.1: Pre-Award Grants Processes
Module 4.2: Research Integrity
Module 5.1: Research Information and Reporting

Additional deliverables were added to:

Mr Jeff Kasparian

Module 2.4: Navigating Agreement: A Guide for Research Management Professionals

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

In 2013, the first cohort of ARMS Foundation Level Accreditation Program (FLAP) graduated and in 2017, the first graduates of the Advanced Level Accreditation Program became Accredited Research Managers (Advanced) or ARM(A)s.

These two programs have amassed over 660 Accredited Research Manager (Foundation) graduates and 42 Accredited Research Manager (Advanced) graduates.

In 2024, the first four individuals of the newest accreditation level - The Established Level Accreditation Program (ELAP) graduated with the post nominal Accredited Research Manager (Established).

Continuing Professional Development

To retain accreditation Continuing Professional Development, CPD (previously known as Continuing Professional Education, or CPE) was introduced to ensure that accredited members maintained and enhanced their knowledge, skills and competencies throughout their research management journey. The aim of CPD was to ensure that accredited members:

Maintained relevant knowledge;
Developed and implemented research management practices in their workplaces;
Developed their career; and
Would be an example or mentor to other research management professionals in their workplace.

Accredited members were required to accumulate 60 hours of CPD over each 3-year block of time, commencing upon graduation.

In 2024, a sub-committee of the Accreditation Council undertook a comprehensive review of it's CPD policy to ensure that it was current, obtainable and responded to member concerns.

This combined with feedback received via the 2024 ARMS Member Survey, showed that accredited members questioned the rationale for the CPD policy noting that it was difficult to maintain.

It was observed that:

Members found that it was becoming more difficult to accumulate CPD in light of increased work loads, part-time employment and working from home.
Some professional development activities are costly and institutions are often decreasing available funding for professional development or not providing time for staff to undergo professional development.
Often members felt that their institutions did not support their ongoing professional development.
CPD could be seen as disadvantaging those who were working less than 1.0 FTE or experienced long periods between jobs due to institutional cut-backs.
Members felt stressed having to find professional development opportunities while balancing work life and personal priorities.
In general, the majority of accredited members have not been lodging CPD applications since pre-COVID.

CPD is no longer a requirement for retaining accreditation status.

As such, and effective immediately, the requirement to maintain accreditation by accruing CPD has been removed from the ARMS Accreditation Policy. Accredited members are no longer required to accrue (lodge) CPD to maintain their accreditation status. Any applications lodged via CPD diaries will be converted to zero (0) hours. Additionally, CPD will no longer be automatically approved for participation in PD Sessions @ Zoom, Chapter events, Special Interest Group events, conferences and any other events where ARMS traditionally granted CPD to registered attendees.

Where to from here?

ARMS firmly believes that it is important for Research Management Professionals to take ownership of their own personal professional development journey by continuing to seek out opportunities that enable Accredited members to:

stay updated with industry trends;
maintain any professional competencies directly associated with job classifications;
network with others at professional events to share ideas;
mentor others or ask to be mentored;
expand personal competencies through workshops, seminars and conferences; and
learn new approaches, technology or techniques to promote innovation and creativity.

Sources of Professional Development

The Society offers a variety of education, training and professional development opportunities:

participation in PD Sessions @ Zoom as an attendee or presenter;
joining and contributing to ARMS Special Interest Groups (SIGs);
joining and contributing to an ARMS Chapter Committee or attending a local event;
joining and contributing to the Australian Ethics Network (AEN) or the Australasian Research Training Network (ARTN);
investigating opportunities to connect with others and seek mentoring opportunities via the ARMS Skills network;
enhancing your research integrity knowledge via the Promoting Research Integrity: A Practical Guide for Research Integrity Advisors;
examining open research policy, strategy and practice via the Open Research Toolkit;
attending the ARMS 2025 Conference in Melbourne (10-12 September 2025) or the AEN Conference in Newcastle (6-7 November 2025); and
finally, consider taking up additional module, master class or elective offerings to learn new skills and meet like minded colleagues.

Should you need assistance with identifying future Professional Development opportunities, we encourage you to contact your supervisor or direct line manager.

2023 ACCREDITATION NEWSLETTER SCHEDULE

2025 Accreditation Newsletter schedule:

Updates will be provided at the following intervals throughout 2025:

February
May
August
November

Please contact Dana Watts, ARMS Accreditation and Member Engagement Coordinator on email ARMSAccreditation@researchmanagement.org.au or (08) 8201 5592, If you have any questions or require assistance with accreditation.

Also be advised that the ARMS Executive Office will be closing 1 PM ACDT on Tuesday, the 24th of December with limited staff returning to work on the 6th of January 2025.

We wish you all a wonderful and relaxing end of year break, and look forward to supporting you on your accreditation journey in 2025.

FOLLOW US

ARMS acknowledges the generous support of our corporate partners:

PLATINUM PARTNER

SILVER PARTNER

BRONZE PARTNERS

Australasian Research Management Society
e: ARMSAccreditation@researchmanagement.org.au

telephone: +61 8 8201 5592

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