MANAGING THE RESEARCH UNIVERSITY

by Smith

In recent years, the federal government and private industry have entrusted universities to manage a considerable portion of their research portfolio. Many, but certainly not all, university research administrators come from the faculty ranks, and many have little or no formal training in this role. More often than not, they learn the profession "on the job." Some facets of research administration simply require either "common sense" or personal experience as a research-active faculty member. However, there are many other aspects that benefit from formal training. These include the historical and legal background behind many institutional and federal policies and regulations. Managing the Research University aims to fill that void by providing a comprehensive background and discussion of the issues and challenges of managing a university's research enterprise. It provides a thorough background to research administration, covering all of the main issues confronting academic
research administrators.

317 pages, Hardcover

First published July 8, 2011

About the author

brother, sisters of the good Samaritan

Reviews

[Scott Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In traditional Oxford University Press fashion, this book communicates an “all you need to know” about being a Chief Research Officer at a research university. It attempts to catalogue the disparate parts of administering research. Much of the knowledge and wisdom in this field is broken up into different segments – like legal, administrative/management, marketing, and laboratory. This book attempts to bring all of this information into one place based off of sweat-earned experience.

Research universities drive the economies, spirit, and health of entire regions of the country. These universities are strong because they lure top-line talent to bring health to an area. Key to this strength is a Chief Research Officer (CRO) who maintains the health of the research in an institution. While many identify higher education with classroom instruction, universities generally describe themselves as having a three-fold mission: Education, Research, and Service. The CRO is especially focused on one of these three.

Interestingly, as Smith describes in this work, the rise of the American research university started in the 1950s as the federal government began to offload its research activities onto universities. This partnership allows top-flight research and academic training to work hand-in-hand. It has powered the American higher-education establishment to worldwide renown. This book is an attempt to put some of the effective practices into writing. Each topic is handled with the care reflective of a top-flight scholar.

I work writing software for research evaluation at one of these American research centers. As such, I find books like Smith’s particularly helpful in understanding the bigger picture of my job. Research is a big topic that even the best never truly master, or perhaps never even get far in mastering. Nonetheless, Smith’s precisely worded contribution advances the discussion through the crucible of hard-wrought experience.

[Nopadol Rompho · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are Vice Rector for research, this is the book that you should read.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immensely useful summary of the myriad issues involved with administering research at a university. Well organized and easily used as a reference of instruction manual. This should be on the shelf of any serious university administrator.