The Research Administration and Management Programme (RAMP) aims to equip research support staff with the knowledge and tools to better manage externally funded grants. The training covers research project management, financial management of research grants, and research administration. It is particularly suitable for those new to research grant management or in the early stage of their career (0-5 years’ experience).

Teaching approaches

• Presentations/lectures introducing concepts and principles
• Interactive hands-on group activities, experiential learning
• Post session self-study and practice

Course Content

Day 1 Project Management

• Project management basics - Grant Lifecycle, Project Lifecycle and Decision Gates
• Progress Tracking - Monitoring, Evaluation and Control
• Constraint Triangle and Scope Creep
• Project Management Tools - Logframes, Theory of Change, Gantt Charts
• Research Regulatory Context - Contracting, Research Ethics approval, Confidentiality & Transparency, Safeguarding
• Working in Global Partnerships - Advantages & Challenges, Diversity & Innovation
• Teambuilding - Leading vs Managing, Conflict in the Workplace and Resolution Methods, Communication: Assertive,Passive, Aggressive

Day 2 Financial Management  

• Budgets - Type of Costs,Developing a Budget, Budget Categories
• Forecasting
• Budget Monitoring - Forecast vs Spent analysis
• Audits - Project/Institutional Audits, Spot Checks
• Eligibility of expenses
• Assets Management
• Reporting - Financial (including Reconciliations) and Technical

Day 3 Administration

• Basics of administration - Office Set-up, Location, Filing, Version Control, Templates, Task Management
• Communication - Barriers, Conflict Resolution, Online Communication, Email and Diary Management, Stakeholders Mapping
• Meetings - Planning for Meetings, Taking Minutes
• Logistics - Travel Booking Considerations, Useful Information (visas, vaccinations, insurance, etc.)
• Procurement - Sustainable Procurement and Planning Large Events

Course tutors

Martina Savio, AFHEA
Martina is currently the Programme Manager for The LIGHT Consortium at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and she is responsible for the effective operational management and execution of the programme.

From 2017 to 2021, Martina was the Programme Manager for the NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Lung Health and Tuberculosis in Africa at LSTM (IMPALA), a 4-year £7mln partnership involving 21 partners, 15 of which based in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Prior to joining LSTM, Martina worked at the University of Liverpool and for International NGOs, as well as the UN in Ecuador, Cameroon, Cambodia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Originally from Italy, Martina holds a bachelor’s degree in international development from the University of Padova (Italy), an MPhil in Peace & Conflict Transformation from the University of Tromsø (Norway), and a graduate certificate in Project management from the Rochester Institute of Technology (USA). Martina is also an Associate Fellow of Advance HE.

Annmarie Hand
Annmarie is an experienced Senior Executive Assistant at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine providing support to LSTM’s Vice Chancellor and Pro-Vice Chancellor of Partnerships. Annmarie is a highly motivated individual with excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to respond positively to the unexpected, changing priorities, and conflicting demands. Annmarie is also an experienced travel and event organiser.