Research Manager and Administrator: una nuova figura di supporto alla ricerca per le università italiane

Following the intense competition for funding for research and innovation and the increasing size and complexity of the funded projects, a new professional figure has emerged, both internationally and in Italy: the Research Manager and Administrator (Rma). In addition to conventional knowledge such as accounting, project management, and research valorisation, this new profession must have knowledge and experience in increasingly transversal subjects such as open science, data management, ethics, and public engagement. Despite the widely acknowledged fact that effective research management is the key to the success of research activities, the need for formal recognition of the Rma by institutional management bodies and the academic community is a pressing issue. This lack of recognition hampers the full potential of the Rma role, hindering the progress of research activities. This article’s objective is to provide an overview of the different Rma definitions existing at the international level and analyse the operational role and functions that this managerial figure carries out within the research support offices of Italian universities.