Successful Completion of the First EUTOPIA_HEALTH Training for Research Managers
Archive UL
Date of publication:
In November, the University of Ljubljana successfully carried out a month-long training programme for research managers. The training was developed and delivered within the EUTOPIA_HEALTH project, with the aim of presenting the diversity and complexity of the field covered by professional staff working in research and project offices.
The training was intended both for research managers who are new to their roles and for those with several years of experience. It covered a wide range of topics:
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Who are research managers? What do they do, and which competences do they need to perform their work successfully?
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The research and innovation ecosystem: Who is involved? Who funds research and innovation? Who carries it out?
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The life cycle of a research project: What does it include? Who is involved? Which university services do we collaborate with in our work?
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The organisation of the University of Ljubljana and its members: core mission, strategic goals, and how they are measured. Setting KPIs at the levels of the university, its members, offices, and individuals.
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Funding opportunities for research and innovation at the national, European, and international levels.
Nine professional staff members from seven UL members participated in the training: the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Biotechnical Faculty, Faculty of Theology, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Maritime Studies and Transport, and the Academy of Music. In addition to the knowledge gained, participants highlighted that what mattered most to them was having space to connect with others and share experiences and examples of good practice.
The training was useful and practical. Such opportunities for mutual connection, exchange of experiences, and strengthening our internal cohesion are always excellent. It is extremely valuable that staff working in project offices can link the names of colleagues from other members with faces through personal experience, and especially that we can also strengthen our cooperation with the professional staff at the Rectorate.
Marko Weilguny, Faculty of Theology UL
A similar view was expressed by Anja Kršlin from the Biotechnical Faculty.
What I took from the programme is a sense of connectedness — the realisation that I am not alone in my daily challenges and that there is a community of people who understand what research managers deal with every day. I truly appreciated the support of the participants, the honest conversations, and the feeling of truly belonging somewhere. Alongside new knowledge about projects, calls, and the research environment, this experience gave me above all motivation, momentum, and a strong network of people I can rely on.
Anja Kršlin, Biotechnical Faculty UL
The training was developed by NOVA University Lisbon and delivered not only at UL but also at Babeș-Bolyai University. These are three widening countries and project partners. Two more editions of the training will be held in spring 2026 and 2027.
All research managers who have successfully completed or will successfully complete the training will be eligible to apply for a one-month mobility placement at one of the project’s non-widening partners: Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, CY Cergy Paris University, University of Gothenburg, Pompeu Fabra University – Barcelona, and the University of Warwick.
