25 - Creating a Robust, Accessible and Comprehensive Professional Development Program for Research Staff at an Academic Institution

Background: : Robust professional development opportunities for staff engaged in human research promote participant safety, data security, and research integrity. While CITI HSP, GCP, and HIPAA courses are available, to promote high quality research, institutional leadership wanted a comprehensive and holistic approach integrating regulatory and research operations, spanning study initiation through completion.

Program

Description: : Our institution’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) created a professional development program for non-faculty research staff involved in human research. The Research Coordinator Plus (RC+) Certificate Program, launched in January 2021, utilizes a modular approach combining required human research protections (HRP) training, existing seminar series, newly-developed “Master Class” workshops and on-demand online resources. The content was informed by best practices, the Joint Task Force for Clinical Competencies, workforce development programs at other CTSA-funded institutions, and input from our CCTS staff and a research advisory board. RC+ is a free, self-paced virtual program, with 50+ content hours. Enrollees who complete all requirements receive certificates.

RC+ covers regulatory, project management, and financial aspects across the research lifecycle, relevant to both biomedical and social/behavioral research. The program focuses on institutional policies and procedures, led by CCTS staff with stakeholder input. Follow-up surveys assess expectations and gather feedback on program content.

Program

Assessment: : RC+ is in its 4th year and enrollment has exceeded expectations. To date, 279 individuals have registered and completed some requirements. Thirteen people have completed all requirements. Respondents’ self-reported research roles include research coordinator, grants manager, PI, and university administrator.
Attendance has remained strong for the main components of the RC+, the Best Practice Hour (BPH) seminar series and Master Class workshops, averaging 64 and 74 respectively per session since May 2023. An average of 103 and 116 individuals registered, which allows later access to recordings for those that cannot attend the live event.
Survey response to date has been low for the RC+ as a whole, though 60% of respondents indicated they had learned something new and would recommend the program to others. In a 2025 survey of the Master Class program as a whole, 65% of respondents indicated they are satisfied or extremely satisfied with the program overall, and provided feedback on future topics. Recommendations for future instruction included research staff training strategies, allowable use of funds, and time management and organizational skills.

Limitations:: Only 13 individuals have completed all RC+ requirements, not surprising given the amount of content. It is unclear if people are “dropping out” (and if so, why), leaving the institution, or attending relevant programs without regard for a certificate.
Survey completion is voluntary, translating to low response rates. For staff, creating on-demand resources has been time consuming, compounded by frequent changes to policies and procedures (e.g., new IRB submission system), and technical challenges.

Discussion: : At academic institutions, research staff roles vary, making standardized training difficult. Guided by the Joint Task Force for Clinical Competencies, we utilized available institutional programs, and created new content combining research administration best practices with the human subjects protection program, campus resources, and university policies. We successfully created a free program with a minimal operating budget, flexible starting dates, and accessible programming.

RC+ is a model for institutions wishing to provide robust and accessible professional development for their research staff that integrates key considerations for human research protections and research integrity with broader content relevant to project management and implementation.