UNAM Networking Series

Effective research management requires more than technical proficiency—it demands the ability to navigate complex interpersonal, institutional, and cross-cultural dynamics. This professional development course on research management is designed for researchers and research managers and administrators working in diverse and resource-constrained environments. Participants will explore the intersection of technical competencies—such as budgeting, compliance, and reporting—and soft skills including communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, and stakeholder engagement. The course provides tools for practical strategies for managing research projects and supporting researchers in contexts where institutional capacity, infrastructure, and funding landscapes may vary significantly.

Participants will:

• Strengthen their understanding of core research management functions within international and local frameworks.
• Develop strategies to address common challenges such as limited resources, administrative bottlenecks, and power imbalances in global partnerships.
• Enhance their ability to communicate effectively with researchers, funders, and institutional leadership.
• Reflect on their own professional roles and identify opportunities for growth and leadership within their institutions.

In this session we try to be as interactive as possible and ground the presentations with real-world experiences. It is a safe space for participants to share challenges, exchange best practices, and build a supportive network of peers. Active participation is expected. By the end of the course, participants will be better equipped to contribute to the development of robust, responsive, and sustainable research ecosystems in their institutions and regions.

Schedule:

• 9:00 - 9:30 AM: Setting the Stage - The Research Management Landscape

Welcome and introduction to the key elements of effective research management. We'll explore the essential interplay between technical competencies and crucial soft skills, highlighting their combined impact on research success.

• 9:30 - 10:30 AM: Navigating Core Functions: International and Local Frameworks

An in-depth look at international and local research frameworks, discussing the practical realities of implementation across diverse settings. We'll examine different perspectives on topics like open science, knowledge security, research ethics, and integrity, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the landscape.

• 10:30 – 11:30 AM: Addressing Challenges in Research Management: Interactive Strategy Session

Let's tackle the common challenges! This interactive brainstorm focuses on specific hurdles like limited resources, administrative bottlenecks, and power imbalances. We'll collaboratively develop practical strategies and share valuable best practices for overcoming these obstacles.

• 11:30 - 12:30 AM: Communication and Growth: Enhancing Impact and Leadership

Master the art of effective communication with researchers, funders, and leaders. We'll delve into communication archetypes, active listening techniques, and cultural sensitivity, equipping you to navigate diverse interactions. Finally, we'll explore "Leadership from Control," focusing on identifying your circle of control and reflecting on personal strengths and areas for development.

• 12:30 - 13:00 PM: Summary and Closing Remarks

Breaks are introduced when needed.

The workshop is facilitated by Edwin Kanters, Utrecht University, Netherlands and Merel-Marlijn Sondervan, UMC Utrecht, Netherlands

Edwin Kanters is a Senior EU Liaison Officer at Utrecht University, with a deep passion for research management, policy, and diplomacy. He serves as a Board Member of the European Association of Research Managers and Administrators (EARMA) and is a founding and former board member of ARMA-NL. Edwin has significantly contributed to the professionalization of research management in Europe through initiatives such as the COST Action BESTPRAC , FoRMAtion. And the ERA action 17. In 2025 he has received the INORMS award for excellence in research management leadership for all his contributions. He is an experienced presenter and trainer, specializing in grant application strategies, research management, and RMA leadership. Edwin strongly believes that research managers are the rare unicorns of the research and innovation ecosystem, deserving much-needed recognition for their invaluable contributions.

Merel-Marlijn Sondervan is working as cluster lead Funding & Support at UMC Utrecht and providing RMA trainings for MeSo. I have experience as RMA in different roles: project manager, project controller, grant advisor, administrator and EC auditor. As project manager I have worked on 45+ project in multiple EC-funded programs. I strive to further strengthen our positions as RMA and contribute to recognition of our beautiful profession and professional development for RMAs. More information on  LinkedIn and on www.meso.nl

Leading projects—whether big or small—comes with its fair share of obstacles, from missed deadlines and shifting priorities to communication gaps and unclear goals. But these challenges can be turned into opportunities with the right tools and mindset.

Struggling with project management challenges? In my 25 years of training diverse organizations, I've noticed the same five pitfalls appearing consistently. During this workshop, we'll uncover these common traps and explore effective ways to avoid them. I'll share hands-on tools and actionable strategies you can implement right away. This interactive session creates space for learning both from professional guidance and colleague experiences. You'll walk away with actionable solutions ready to apply to your current projects. 

Ready to elevate your project management skills and achieve better results? Join us and take the next step toward smoother, more successful projects!

• 9 am - Welcome

Uncovering the FIVE PITFALLS we’ll be discussing today

• 9h10 - Too little or too much project management

When is project management needed?

• 9h50 - The scope keeps changing & focus is lost

Six key questions for a great start

• 10h30 - Fire fighting? Losing track of the big picture?

3x3 things every project leader should do during project execution

• 11h10 - Project leader, team member, sponsor… who is in charge?

About roles and responsibilities, and good governance

• 12h - Questions 
• 12h15 - Closing remarks

The workshop is facilitated by Katia Van Belle.

Katia engages with participants and customers through her warmth and positivity. She is flexible in her approach, capable of invigorating, critiquing, challenging, or enhancing their way of working. Her consistent message is "take action," and she promotes ownership as her guiding principle.

Creatively mapping out learning journeys and designing training courses is Katia's forte. She is playful yet has a no-nonsense approach.She persistently searches for the most effective approach for each group within their specific context. Katia maintains a healthy work-life balance, setting a positive example for the groups she works with.

This workshop aims to provide participants with a basic toolkit for navigating European funding opportunities for research, particularly within Horizon Europe. It offers insights into key elements of project design and fundamental concepts of proposal writing, with the goal of supporting researchers in their journey towards preparing competitive funding applications.

• 9:00 - 9:15 AM: Introduction and Workshop Objectives

Welcome to our Proposal Writing Basic Workshop. We'll start by setting the stage for our journey into the world of European research funding and presenting the workshop objectives.

• 9:15 - 10:30 AM: The European research funding landscape: focus on Horizon Europe

We'll explore the European Commission's Multiannual Financial Framework and its significance for research and innovation, providing you with a solid foundation for understanding the broader context of funding opportunities. Ather this, we dive deep into Horizon Europe, the EU's key funding programme for research and innovation. We'll explore its structure, objectives, and the various funding opportunities it offers. You'll gain insights into the differences between bottom-up and top-down approaches, as well as individual versus collaborative projects.

• 10:30 - 11:00 AM: Finding your call

In this practical session, we'll guide you through the Funding & Tenders Portal, an essential tool for researchers seeking EU funding. You'll learn how to navigate the portal efficiently, search for relevant calls, and access crucial documentation. We'll also discuss how to identify suitable calls and understand their requirements, with a special focus on international cooperation opportunities, including those related to Africa. We'll touch briefly on partner search tools available through the portal, providing you with resources for building your consortium when needed.

• 11:00 - 11:20 AM: Break

• 11:20 - 11:50 AM: From Call to Concept - Preparing for Proposal Writing

Understand how to analyze call texts, understand policy contexts, and interpret guidelines and templates. We'll discuss the importance of thorough preparation and provide a timeline for efficient proposal development. This session will equip you with the tools to approach your proposal strategically.

• 11:30 - 12:30 PM: The ABC of Proposal Writing

Learn the essential elements of a compelling proposal. We'll cover crafting attention-grabbing titles, acronyms, and abstracts. You'll learn how to articulate clear aims and objectives, develop robust methodologies, and effectively communicate expected results and impacts. We'll also delve into creating a solid work plan, assessing risks, and developing mitigation strategies. 

The workshop is facilitated by Barbara Mantelli and Lisa Pagotto, University of Padova

Workshop Summary

This workshop is a critical call to action aimed at actively investing in the research and leadership journeys of African women researchers. Its primary aim is to facilitate the embedding of women in academic and scientific leadership roles, ensuring their voices shape research priorities, funding decisions, and transformative change. A key philosophy underpinning the workshop is the recognition of interdependence for success, acknowledging that both females and males are essential contributors to achieving these goals.

Participants will benefit from attending by gaining a comprehensive understanding of:

· The Current Landscape: The persistent structural, financial, and institutional challenges hindering African women in research and leadership, and the compelling benefits that diversity brings to research and leadership.

· Work-Life Balance Strategies: The complexities organizations face in supporting home and family life, and practical strategies for individuals to achieve work-family-life balance.

· Identifying and Overcoming Barriers: Common structural (e.g., funding biases, career breaks) and cultural/interpersonal obstacles (e.g., stereotypes, networking huddles) that impede female leadership, along with practical insights on how to "break the glass ceiling."

· Effective Support Mechanisms: Proven strategies and best practices for supporting female research leadership, including the vital roles of mentorship, sponsorship programs, leadership training, and flexible work policies.

· Shared Responsibility: The collective role of individual women, other women, men, and organizations in fostering a supportive environment where women can lead, influence, and thrive in academic and scientific leadership spaces.

· Practical Tools & Resources: An overview of essential networks, resources, and tools available to empower their leadership journey.

Ultimately, the workshop seeks to equip participants with the knowledge and actionable steps necessary to actively contribute to and benefit from a more inclusive and impactful research ecosystem in Africa.

Workshop outline

1. Welcome and Introduction

• Host remarks
• Session objectives and overview
• Brief poll / ice breaker (what motivated the participants to join)

2. Why does this (Female Research and Leadership) matter 

• Data on gaps
• Benefits of diversity in research & leadership
• Video

3. Identifying the common barriers to Female Research and Leadership

• Structure challenges

       - Funding biases

       - Career breaks

• Cultural and interpersonal obstacles (stereotypes and networking huddles)
• Chat-based brainstorm (which of these resonate with the participants?)

4. Proven strategies and best practices

• Mentorship and sponsorship programs
• Flexible work policies and work-life integration support
• Leadership training and skills workshop

5. Recommendations 

• Tools
• Networks
• Resources

6. Questions, Next Steps & Closing

The workshop is facilitated by Dr. Julianne Susanne Sansa-Otim, Makerere University, Uganda and Prof. Dr Hellicy C. Ng'ambi, founder and CEO of Mutepa RARE Solutions, Zambia.

Dr. Julianne Susanne Sansa-Otim is a highly accomplished and innovative scientist in the field of Information and Communications Technology, currently serving as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Networks at Makerere University. Renowned for her proactive leadership and commitment to driving transformative solutions, she spearheads the IoT-ra lab.

Under her visionary direction, the IoT-ra lab has pioneered and successfully implemented groundbreaking technologies across Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Ghana, and Nigeria. These innovations include advanced weather information dissemination systems, low-cost automatic weather stations, and predictive weather forecast models, which have revolutionized weather monitoring in the region.

Dr. Sansa-Otim holds a Ph.D. in Communications Networks from the University of Groningen, Netherlands, and is a prolific scholar, with extensive publications in leading international peer-reviewed journals and conferences. Her expertise spans Internet-of-Things (IoT) for developing regions, ICT4Development, and Communications Network Protocol Design. She has successfully secured significant funding from numerous development agencies, fostering capacity building and leading a major 5-year international research project focused on pollinator protection and insect pest control.

Her commitment to advancing technology and collaboration across Africa is further demonstrated through her seven-year tenure as Head of the Computer Networks department and her active contributions on several prestigious boards, including RENU, Ubuntunet Alliance, and CHASEi.

Prof. Hellicy C. Ng’ambi is a Full Professor of Business Leadership, founder & CEO of Mutepa RARE Solutions, and author of the patented "RARE Total Leadership" framework. A trailblazing academic leader, she was the founding Vice Chancellor of the University of Kabwe (accrediting 21 programs in its first year) and served two terms as Vice Chancellor at Mulungushi and Kwame Nkrumah Universities, notably as the first woman to hold such a position in Zambia.

Her executive roles include being the first female and Black Executive Director and CEO of Unisa’s Graduate School of Business Leadership, and later Executive Dean of the College of Economic and Management Sciences. She also founded and led the Academy of Business Management in Botswana.

Prof. Ng’ambi holds a Doctorate in Business Leadership, is an American Council on Education (ACE) fellow, and a certified PROSCI change management expert. An award-winning author, researcher, and consultant, her expertise spans leadership, organizational effectiveness, corporate governance, workforce diversity, equity & inclusion, and women in leadership.

Her extensive board service includes current roles as Chairperson of UbuntuNet Alliance, and board member of Lusaka Securities Exchange and Project Lungwa. She previously chaired the Zambia Research and Education Networks and was Vice Chairperson for the Central Bank of Zambia, Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission, and National Technology Business Centre. She has also pioneered successful projects like the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute and the Zambia Association of Public Universities and Colleges.

SCHEDULE
TIME PROGRAM
08:00 – 09:15 Introduction to Horizon Europe Collaborative projects (pillar II) 
(Q&A)

• Programme Structure
• Key Features of Pillar II
• Finding and Understanding HE Calls
• Proposal Development Process in a nutshell
• Proposal Evaluation
• Practical Tips
• Q&A Session

09:15 – 09:30 Break

09:30 – 11:00 Horizon Europe proposal step-by-step & practical exercise

• Proposal structure with emphasis on impact
• Let’s exercise!
  • What are the specific needs and challenges outlined in the call text?
  • Who are the stakeholders?
  • What are expected impacts outcomes? What should change?

The workshop is facilitated by Suvi Hentilä and Kirsi Kanerva, University of Turku, Finland

The workshop is faciliated by Emmanuel O. Babatunde, Division of Research & Innovation, University of Bergen, Norway.