Co-op Work Term 3, Spring 2025

Summary:
As a Research Services Student Assistant at TRIUMF, I supported the coordination of internal research funding opportunities, contributed to institutional data management planning, and enhanced access to research resources through website development. My work helped streamline administrative processes and improved digital infrastructure for the research community.

Full Description:
During my term at TRIUMF, I supported research administration projects that enhanced access to funding, strengthened data management planning, and improved internal digital infrastructure for researchers. I collaborated with the Grants and Legal teams to help align TRIUMF’s practices with evolving national requirements, including the Tri-Agency policy mandating data management plans (DMPs) for all new funding applications.

As part of this work, I conducted a jurisdictional scan of institutional RDM strategies across Canadian research institutions, synthesized best practices, and contributed to early drafts of TRIUMF’s own Data Management Strategy.

Additionally, I contributed to the reorganization and redevelopment of internal Research Services webpages. Working across departments, I helped identify gaps in existing content and supported the creation of new resources related to funding opportunities, ethics procedures, and data stewardship—making it easier for researchers to find key information throughout the grant lifecycle.

Key Accomplishments:
1. Collaborated with Grants and Legal teams to support the development of TRIUMF’s Institutional Research Data Management Strategy, ensuring alignment with new Tri-Agency requirements for data management plans (DMPs).

2. Conducted a jurisdictional scan of RDM strategies at major Canadian institutions and synthesized findings to inform TRIUMF’s policy development and internal best practices.

3. Redesigned sections of the internal Research Services website, streamlining navigation and improving access to resources on funding, ethics, and data management for the TRIUMF research community.

General Learning Significance:
This experience significantly deepened my understanding of research administration and policy implementation within a scientific institution. Engaging with the Tri-Agency’s evolving data management requirements gave me firsthand insight into how national policies are translated into institutional practices. I developed skills in policy research, cross-departmental collaboration, and stakeholder engagement—particularly in balancing administrative priorities with the practical needs of researchers.