Time to Acknowledge the Talent Behind Research Infrastructure: A Call for Action

In recent years, there has been a growing conversation around the idea of a 'third stream' within the Australian higher education workforce. This concept is particularly crucial for those working in research infrastructure, where the role of the 'blended professional' has become increasingly significant. These professionals, whose expertise spans both academic and professional domains, are vital to the success of research projects. Yet, despite their contributions, they often remain underappreciated and unsupported in their career progression

As discussed in Sach Jayasinghe's recent article on LinkedIn, the pandemic has underscored the necessity for innovative solutions to the entrenched workforce issues in higher education. The emergence of the 'blended professional' is one such solution, particularly in the realm of research infrastructure. Specialists like microscopists, bioinformaticians, and software developers not only possess deep technical knowledge but also excel in professional skills such as customer service and business development. This unique blend of abilities enables them to bridge the gap between academic research and operational efficiency.

However, despite their critical role, the sector has yet to fully address how to support the career progression of these professionals. This lack of support hinders our ability to attract and retain top talent, which in turn affects the quality of research output in Australia.

Take Action: If you’re a research infrastructure specialist or work within the higher education sector, now is the time to get involved. Become a member of the Academy for Collaborative Research Infrastructure and help shape the future of our workforce. Join today.

The 2016 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap recommended the adoption of innovative approaches to career progression and skills recognition within academia. Yet, progress has been slow. The latest National Research Infrastructure Exposure Draft continues to emphasise the 'technical' aspect of these roles, inadvertently oversimplifying their importance.

As highlighted in Jayasinghe's article, there is an urgent need to look beyond the constraints of current enterprise agreements, which often create a dichotomy between academic and professional tracks. This division can result in a two-class system that hinders career advancement for research infrastructure specialists. Institutions must develop metrics that recognise the unique contributions of these professionals and ensure equal opportunities for advancement, regardless of formal qualifications.

Get Involved: By becoming a member of the Academy, you can contribute to developing new frameworks and metrics that support career progression for blended professionals. Join the Academy today.

Research infrastructure functions often operate under business-like models, requiring specialists to develop a diverse skill set beyond traditional research roles. Jayasinghe stresses the importance of bespoke professional development that includes finance, negotiation, marketing, quality frameworks, and business planning. These skills are essential for specialists in management roles to effectively support and sustain research infrastructure facilities.

Moreover, specialists’ deep expertise in their respective technologies makes them invaluable assets in fostering industry-academia collaborations. By gaining further business acumen, these professionals can drive industry engagement, bringing new opportunities to researchers and forging partnerships critical for future research investment.

Advance Your Career: The Academy offers professional development opportunities tailored to the needs of research infrastructure specialists. Enhance your skills and position yourself as a leader in your field. Explore membership benefits and join us.

The instability of funding cycles and the slow progress on workforce development initiatives highlight the need for a dedicated voice to represent research infrastructure specialists. In response, Jayasinghe and his colleagues are proposing the creation of the Academy for Collaborative Research Infrastructure. This not-for-profit entity will be a member-driven organisation focused on developing the workforce and disseminating best practices across the sector.

The Academy aims to provide a platform for research infrastructure specialists to share their experiences, access professional development opportunities, and contribute to the advancement of their field. By giving these professionals the recognition and support they deserve, the Academy could play a pivotal role in driving a step-change in how research infrastructure is valued and managed in Australia.

Join the Movement: Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of this transformative initiative. Become a member of the Academy for Collaborative Research Infrastructure and help us build a stronger future for research infrastructure specialists.

To learn more about this initiative and share your feedback, read the original article by Sach Jayasinghe on LinkedIn and participate in the ongoing survey to shape the future of research infrastructure in Australia.

For further details, please visit the original article on LinkedIn here.

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• Baré, E., Beard, J., Marshman, I., & Tjia, T. (2021). Does the COVID-19 emergency create an opportunity to reform the Australian university workforce? LH Martin Institute, The University of Melbourne.
• Whitchurch, C. (2009). The rise of the blended professional in higher education: A comparison between the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States. Higher Education, 58:407-418.
• Department of Education, Skills & Employment (2017). 2016 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap; Australian Commonwealth Government.
• Department of Education, Skills & Employment (2022). 2021 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap Exposure Draft; Australian Commonwealth Government.
• Farber, G.K., & Weiss, L. (2011). Core Facilities: Maximising the Return on Investment. Sci Transl Med, 3(95).
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