r4d Skills First Coordinators' Exchange

picture cards coordinations issues

The first r4d Coordinators' Exchange meeting took place in Berne, Switzerland, on 14 January 2016. The 14 participants exchanged experiences, discussed challenges and engaged in a stimulating learning event.

The projects within r4d programme are carried out in transnational research partnerships involving people from countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. An effective cooperation among the research partners as well as the involvement of stakeholders require specific efforts and tools in research coordination and management.​

The r4d programme organised in its r4d Skills series a learning and exchange event for researchers with key functions in r4d project coordination and management. The 14 participants enjoyed the opportunity to discuss selected aspects and challenges of research coordination in the r4d projects. Based on the positive feedback after the first Coordinators' Exchange this kind of event will be organised again in the second half of 2016.

Topics discussed in this first event were:

  • Facilitating meetings: Skype and alternatives, online tools for collaboration, face-to-face meetings (despite online communication, there is no better way than f2f for in-depth discussion and engagement!), fostering exchange among PhD students
  • Managing work plans: Shared responsibilities, ownership, adaptive management
  • Coordination versus research: Many r4d project coordinators are doing both, coordination and research. For administrative issues they are often supported by assistants.
  • Budgets, financial transparency and flexibility