ARMA is looking to create a new special interest group (SIG) for Global Majority research managers and administrators and seeking up to four ARMA members who would be willing to become the SIG Champions and assist with setting up and running the new SIG.
Global Majority is an emerging term to describe people traditionally defined as BAME in the UK. For more information, see Ralph McBaiden’s blogpost, “Not ‘ethnic minority,’ try Global Majority”. The proposed SIG will be an informal, principled space for research managers and administrators (RMA) who identify as Global Majority to meet and discuss their unique interests and challenges within UK research management and administration. The role of the new SIG is primarily supportive, offering a collegial and friendly opportunity to meet others working in research management and administration in the UK, as well as supporting the increasing mandate of UK higher education to improve equality, diversity, and inclusion practices in the effort towards decolonising UK universities.
Why you should become a SIG Champion
This is a fantastic development opportunity! Becoming a Champion will allow you to:
- Contribute your professional skills to the future direction and success of your area of interest
- Apply your skills, experience and creativity to new challenges
- Gain governance and leadership experience to support your executive and non-executive career ambitions
- Further expand your network and engage with key stakeholders across the sector
- Increase your visibility and raise your personal and professional profile.
SIG champions work together to plan and deliver 2-3 information-sharing events each year for their SIG, as well as curating SIG resources on the ARMA website and facilitating discussions on the SIG JiscMail list. They will be invited to provide input into responses to sector consultations. For further information about the role, check out the SIG Champion Role Description.
How to express interest and suggest topic ideas
In addition to SIG champions, we are seeking ideas for events, activities and resources that you would like to see from the proposed SIG. We are keen to hear about topics and issues you would like the group to explore through its activities.
If you identify as a research manager or administrator from a Global Majority background and are interested in helping to shape the new SIG, please send us a supporting statement (up to 400 words) outlining your background, why you are interested in becoming a SIG Champion and what you will bring to the role.
To submit your ideas, expression of interest statement or more information, please email Amaka.Nwagbara@arma.adwise-staging.com by Friday 21 July with the subject line, ‘ARMA Global Majority RMA SIG’. While we do not require you to be an ARMA member to express interest for this role, in the event that you are successful, you will be asked to join the Association.
Our commitment to EDI
ARMA is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. It is a strategic priority for us to improve representation within our organisation. We particularly welcome applications from groups who are underrepresented within our community. We are committed to taking active steps within our recruitment process to reduce bias and minimise barriers to application and participation. We are also committed to offering a flexible and inclusive working environment for our employees. We offer a range of adjustments throughout the process to enable full participation. If there is anything further we can do, we encourage you to get in touch.
