RCN: Research Evaluation and Analytics Capacity Hub (REACH)

This research coordination network project will establish a formal structure for the Research Evaluation and Analytics Capacity Hub (REACH). Research analytics, the use of data- informed decision-making, use of artificial intelligence (AI), and responsible research assessment practices are in their infancy within many research administration offices. This project will develop a formalized structure to have a network focused on building capacity to build on promising practices in the areas of technology, human capital, skill development, and mentoring within the field of research analytics within research administration. Having an international component, this network will leverage expertise from across the globe and engage institutions interested in building capacity in these areas to strengthen their research enterprise. The network will build and online virtual community space—but also host in-person summits and meetings, webinars, and hold an annual mentoring program. Network participants can come from any type of institution or field, research administrators, researchers, librarians, or other institutional staff/faculty who are interested in the field of research analytics, AI, and assessment within the research enterprise. Intellectual Merit: The REACH network will strive to modernize the field of research administration using research analytics, AI, and more responsible and robust forms of research assessment, all to drive data-informed decision making and innovation within academic institutions globally. The overarching goal of the network is to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in responsible data-informed approaches within research administration across a variety of positions, institution types, and geographies. While still emerging as a critical component of research administration, research analytics plays a pivotal role in generating insights, provides solutions to complex problems, and is helping to drive innovation across the research enterprise. REACH will build on existing empirical research and communities of practice in the field from previously funded projects, collaborations, and trainings and will expand the understanding of how we utilize data-informed approaches for workforce efficiency, research strategy, and build capacity to grow the research enterprise at all types and sizes of institutions. Broader Impacts: Research analytics professionals do not have a home. Individuals may belong to professional organizations such as the National Council of University Research Administrators or the Society of Research Administrators International. They may even be involved in larger initiatives at their organization, like the AAU Data Exchange, which convenes Institutional Research Officers at AAU member institutions. These groups, however, do not provide a persistent specific community for the research administrations/data analysts, and often exclude institutions that are not R1/R2 institutions or higher education institutions. The organizations are less focused on staying on top of technological advances and the impact they have on research. REACH would not only provide a professional community, but it would also exist to provide development opportunities, networking, and up-to-date information on technological advances, including case studies and real-world applications. By design, REACH is meant to serve research administrators/analysts at institutions of all sizes, including higher education, research healthcare organizations, and research institutions, throughout the world. No other group includes people who are research administrators, librarians, researchers, data analysts, technologists, leadership, etc. within their network of practice.