King's College London

King’s College London and Istanbul University (IU) are collaborating to develop a structured training programme for Research Management and Administration (RMA), a profession that supports researchers to secure funding, manage complex projects, and meet growing regulatory and ethical requirements.

At a time when universities are managing increasingly large, interdisciplinary, and international research projects, demand for skilled research managers is rising rapidly. Yet in Türkiye, as in many countries, research administrators often enter the role without access to formal training or clear professional pathways. This new programme aims to address that gap by offering structured, accessible development for those working behind the scenes of research delivery.

The initiative, funded by the British Council’s Transnational Education (TNE) Exploratory Grant, positions King’s and IU as early movers in shaping a national pathway for RMA training. It also lays the groundwork for future accredited qualifications, with the potential to develop into a Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma, or Master’s degree.

The collaboration grew naturally from academic and professional networks at King’s and IU, where colleagues identified a common challenge: the lack of formal training for research administrators. Rather than transferring expertise in one direction, both universities are working together to co-design a curriculum tailored to the needs of Türkiye’s rapidly evolving research landscape.

Two workshops held earlier this year in Istanbul and London marked the project’s initial phase, bringing together academics, professional services staff, grant support managers, and operational leads. Professor Gurel Cetin of IU outlined the structure and challenges of the university’s research operations, while representatives from King’s Research Management & Innovation Directorate (RMID)’s Research Grants and Contracts Department, Alex Kirk and Rasangika Pelpola-Aladekomo, presented King’s organisational model and RMA priorities. These sessions have helped shape the early framework for the course.

The course is now moving into the production phase, with plans to live on the global learning platform edX in the New Year. Delivering the course online will allow it to reach research management professionals across Türkiye and internationally, including those who may not otherwise have access to formal training. Participant feedback will inform future development and help test demand for more advanced, accredited RMA qualifications.

As research becomes more complex and collaborative worldwide, this joint initiative represents a significant step towards strengthening research support capacity, building professional expertise, and deepening international partnerships between King’s and Istanbul University.

Look out for the course launch in the New Year. Institutions interested in exploring TNE collaborations with King’s are encouraged to get in touch with our professional education team (professionaleducation@kcl.ac.uk).