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Plenary Speakers
Plenary 1 - At the Frontline of Change: Why Research Management Matters More Than Ever
President
Society Of Research Admnistrators International
Dara Little serves as Associate Vice President for Research at Northern Illinois University where she oversees the institution’s research services and business functions for pre-and post-award, research compliance, core facilities, and research intelligence. With over two decades of research management experience, Dara is dedicated to advancing the field through education and advocacy. She has delivered more than twenty-five sessions and workshops covering a range of topics and has assisted numerous institutions in enhancing their research administration structures to optimize compliance and service. She is published in the Journal of Research Administration and holds SRAI Distinguished Faculty status. Dara currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors for the Society of Research Administrators International (SRAI).
Dara Little
Head of Research Strategy and Policy
Queen's University Belfast
Chris Browne is Head of Research Strategy & Engagement at Queen’s University Belfast. As part of his remit, he acts as institutional REF Manager, a role he also carried out for REF 2021. Chris has extensive experience in research strategy and policy, and heads up a team with responsibility for research culture, research quality and assessment, impact and engagement, research information and systems, internal/external research policy, and postdoctoral researcher support.
Chris Browne
Director of Research and Enterprise
Teesside University
Steph Bales is Director of the Research and Enterprise Office at Teesside University, leading strategies for research, innovation, enterprise, and civic engagement. Previously, she transformed Northumbria University’s research profile as Director of Research and Business Services (2005–2017), driving a 30-place rise in REF rankings. A former Chair of ARMA and INORMS, Steph advanced equality, diversity and inclusion, authored ARMA’s first EDI policy, commissioned ARMA’s first national survey on research office structures, and launched global initiatives on research evaluation and impact. She has contributed to national projects on research culture, responsible metrics, and QR funding. Beginning her career in education as a teacher, Steph remains a passionate advocate for professional development.
Steph Bales
Executive Director
King's College London
Dr Bryony (Bry) Wakefield is Executive Director of Research Management & Innovation at King’s College London, where she leads a large directorate of research professionals enabling the University’s research and innovation ambitions. With over 20 years of international experience, she has held senior roles at the University of Glasgow, the Australian National University, and the University of Melbourne, and has lectured at Johns Hopkins University. An active contributor to the global research management community, Bry is a Past President of the US-based National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA), a Fellow and former Board member of the Australasian Research Management Society (ARMS), and a former Council member of the International Network of Research Management Societies (INORMS). She is currently a Board Observer for the European Association of Research Managers and Administrators (EARMA). Bry regularly contributes to international panels and sector discussions on research, innovation, and shaping the future of research management in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Dr Bryony Wakefield
Head Of Funding Policy Engagement
Uk Research And Innovation
She leads strategic engagement for the UKRI Funding Service and influences the development and implementation of funding policy. She works across policy, operations and digital delivery to shape a consistent, transparent and user centred funding service. Susan collaborates closely with funders, research organisations and delivery teams to strengthen governance, shared practice and effective decision making across the funding lifecycle.
Susan Soulsby
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