INNOVATIONS IN PROFESSIONAL TRAINING OF RESEARCH ADMINISTRATORS IN THE USA AND UKRAINE: A TECHNOLOGICAL APPROACH

Abstract

The evolving landscape of research management and administration at the universities has seen remarkable transformations in recent years, expanding the role of research administrators to include strategic planning, project management, funding acquisition, and regulatory compliance. This transformation has been significantly influenced by innovative technologies, streamlining various aspects of their responsibilities, from data management to project planning and funding identification. Moreover, the integration of technology has enhanced their ability to contribute to strategic decision-making and adapt to evolving research environments. Innovative training methodologies have reshaped research administrators’ education, with e-learning platforms, simulation, gamification, virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and data analytics offering diverse and dynamic learning experiences that cater to the varied needs of research administrators or managers. A comparative analysis of research administration and management training in Ukraine and the United States reveals the global diversity in training approaches. However, challenges related to digital literacy and resource constraints are evident, underscoring the need for cross-border collaborations to address these issues and promote best practices in research administration and management. As a result of these findings, research administrators are now better equipped to excel in their multifaceted roles, thanks to technology and innovative training methods. The global landscape of research administration training presents opportunities and challenges that require ongoing attention and adaptation. Further research in this field is warranted, focusing on evaluating the effectiveness of various training methodologies, assessing the long-term impact of technology integration, exploring successful cross-border collaboration models, addressing digital literacy challenges, and investigating the adaptation to continuous technological advancements and change management strategies in this field. These future research directions aim to enhance the understanding of how research administrators can thrive in the ever-evolving research landscape.