First REMODEL course: introduction to research project management

Anna Olsson: project and course co-coordinator:

On 20-21 July 2020 we held the first REMODEL course. That was of course much later than we had planned for (this was intended to happen in early April), but one of the things we have learned this spring is the importance of contingency plans! To start the series of training events with a course on research project management was entirely on purpose, because what better way to make sure that we manage the project well?

Former i3S collaborator João Cortez came from the Catholic University in Porto to teach project management to a group of 17 PhD students and early postdocs. To have João Cortez as a teacher has a special meaning for REMODEL because of all the support he provided in preparing the application that was successful in 2019.

João Cortez came from the Catholic University in Porto

The course was also held in collaboration with the new Career Development Office. And it was the first course to be held at i3S after the period of Covid-19 confinement!

The aim with the course was to equip these young i3S researchers with the skills necessary to successfully manage their research projects, as team members and as coordinators. Learning by doing is good but learning by training and doing is better!

Anna Olsson opening the first REMODEL course by sharing her experience of project management as a PI

Marta Alves da Silva: researcher, REMODEL project manager:

The workshop had two complementary components: the pre-award and the post-award parts. Thus, project management process was covered from the starting point of a project, the process of writing and submitting the proposal, up to the point when you effectively have to manage the project and your team. I have learned a lot. Truth be told, I had some experience in writing (not so successful) project proposals, but I have never managed a research project by myself. The tips and tools provided by the mentors were extremely valuable. For example, I learned some online platforms that will allow me, in the future, to better manage REMODEL, such as Trello, Basecamp or Smartsheet. The importance of being organized and have a detailed timeline for all the project deliverables, milestones and tasks was also highlighted. The budget and finances management was another of the modules of the workshop. The mentor (Cláudia Ferreira, IBMC) raised awareness of some details about invoices, payments and reimbursements that should not be disregarded, and that is definitively a personal take-home message: as a scientist, I tend to overlook certificates, receipts and similar “papers”.

Cláudia Ferreira shared her long experience in IBMC financial department, and provided some useful tips in how to manage project budgets.

As referred by Anna, this was the first workshop held in i3S after the confinement. Therefore, all security measures were taken to assure the participants safety. I must confess that I was a little bit worried how it would go, but I can tell you that it run very smoothly. The organization did an excellent job in securing the distancing and interactions. Of course that the “normal” coffee breaks were missed, but people could interact similarly.

Social distancing and security measures adopted during the workshop.

By the end of the workshop I feel that I am more equipped and capable of successfully manage REMODEL, and think this workshop is worth more editions!