How to Write for the Catalyst

Your Expertise Belongs in the Catalyst

SRAI’s monthly electronic newsletter, the Catalyst, informs readers of SRAI’s extensive conference and educational offerings, recognizes members for their achievements and provides a space to network, learn more about the structure, functions, and people of SRAI, and features insights from top professionals in research management and administration.

Catalyst includes many different types of articles of interest to SRAI members. It is helpful to take a look at the past newsletters to get an idea for style and content.  

Catalyst Feature Sections

SRAI's Catalyst newsletter consists of six different feature sections. Upon submission, writers are asked to indicate which feature section their article falls into. A description of each feature section can be found below.

  • Grant Development & Strategy
    This section explores the critical stages of proposal development, guiding research administrators through the process of identifying funding opportunities, crafting competitive proposals, and managing pre-award tasks. Content focuses on best practices in grant writing, strategic approaches to finding and securing funding, and the latest tools and techniques to enhance proposal success. Whether new to the field or an experienced professional, readers will find valuable insights to improve efficiency and effectiveness in securing research funding.

  • Grant Management & Financial Oversight
    This section focuses on the critical processes involved in managing and reporting grants after funding has been awarded. This section will cover the full lifecycle of grant administration, with an emphasis on financial oversight, compliance with reporting requirements, and effective strategies for grant closeouts. Content will provide research administrators with practical tools and insights to ensure proper management of funds, maintain accountability, and assess the impacts of awarded grants on their institutions and projects.

  • Regulatory & Compliance Oversight
    This section addresses the evolving landscape of research compliance, focusing on regulatory updates, ethical considerations, and institutional policies. This section will feature content on the latest compliance issues, best practices for maintaining adherence to regulations, and significant changes affecting research governance. Readers will gain insights into current trends in research ethics, updates on regulatory frameworks, and strategies for managing compliance across institutions, ensuring that administrators stay informed and aligned with the highest standards of practice.

  • Career Growth & Leadership
    This section is dedicated to fostering the professional development of research administrators at all career stages. Content will focus on skill-building, career pathways, and leadership strategies, providing valuable insights for professionals looking to advance from entry-level roles to leadership positions. This section will feature articles on mentorship, personal growth, and key competencies needed for career success in research administration, ensuring readers have the tools and knowledge to navigate their professional journeys and enhance their leadership capabilities.

  • Community & Member Engagement
    This section focuses on the people and experiences that shape the research administration field. Highlighting member stories, personal perspectives, and success stories, this section aims to strengthen the sense of community within the profession. Content will explore engagement opportunities, share insights from diverse experiences, and showcase the personal and professional journeys of members. By fostering connections and encouraging collaboration, this section will provide valuable resources for building a supportive and engaged research administration community.

  • Operations & Workflow Management
    This section focuses on the core functions that drive the efficiency and effectiveness of research administration. This section will explore best practices for managing administrative operations, ensuring smooth workflow processes, and supporting both faculty and administrative staff. Key topics include optimizing resource allocation, maintaining operational continuity, and implementing technological solutions to streamline day-to-day tasks. The goal is to provide research administrators with practical strategies to improve their organizational effectiveness, enhance collaboration, and create a well-functioning research environment.

Formatting

  • Links to longer stories or more information are acceptable.
  • Although we consider articles of any length, 400 – 600 words is optimal.
  • Include a specific title that describes the main idea of your article and is attractive to the reader.
  • Break longer articles into chunks using descriptive headings to separate them.
  • For multi-part articles, all parts must be submitted prior to any publication. 
  • Pictures and images make your article more eye-catching and engaging.  Be sure that you have a photo release for any pictures that include other people.
  • Be sure to cite any sources you used in preparation of your article.  It is also important to give credit to the original author(s).  If you are not sure who the original author is, you may note that it was “an unknown source.”
  • Use a conversational tone and avoid jargon.

How & When to Submit

  • Submit your article through the online platform here.
  • We accept articles all month long. Submission deadline is the third Monday of the month, or three weeks prior to publication, to be potentially included in the following month’s issue.
  • The monthly electronic newsletter is sent out the second Friday of every month.

Catalyst Author Agreements

All newsletter contributors must agree to the Catalyst Author Guidelines and the Agreements & Releases (through the online submission platform), granting the association permission to publish the material in the SRAI newsletter.

Submit An Article

Any member of SRAI may submit a piece of news for the Catalyst.

Submit an Article

Questions?

Questions regarding the Catalyst?

email us