Transforming research at higher education institutions: overcoming challenges for research managers in Spain

Despite their critical role in research processes over the past two decades, research managers at Higher Education Institutions are still often seen as mere administrative staff. They are frequently involved in bureaucratic tasks, lack a defined role within research organizations, and face temporary contracts and limited career development opportunities. Recent legislative changes in Europe in 2022 and 2023 have started to address these issues by recognizing the importance of research managers in Science, Technology, and Innovation Systems. Research managers are essential for planning, coordinating, and executing research, and their role has become more complex due to the evolving public funding landscape. This complexity has led to a variety of research manager profiles, complicating the definition of their roles and contributing to their lack of recognition. This paper examines how the recognition of research managers is being addressed in Europe, focusing specifically on Spain. By analyzing various European surveys and the Spanish context, the paper explores whether research managers can achieve better recognition in Spain and identifies five key action areas for improving their professional status: Establishment of Standards, Certification and Accreditation, Recognition and Career Development, Networks and Collaborations, and Outreach and Communication.