About us

Farewell to Cambridge Research Administrator Network (CRAN)

23rd January 2023

From its inception in 2018, this local peer network for those involved in the administrative management and support of research activities has grown to almost 200 members. It’s been a great run, and provided valuable opportunities for people to connect, share information and good practice. So it’s with a heavy heart that we’re now winding CRAN down. Unfortunately there just hasn’t been the interest and engagement lately to keep the network going.

The website will stay up for a while longer. The LinkedIn group can also continue for as long as people have a need for it.

A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed over the years. Whether you hosted an event, presented to the group, shared your knowledge and experience, or just attended a meeting. There was a real buzz at our face to face events, and your engagement was key to making these a success.

Our hope is that CRAN achieved its goal by bringing people together, and that the connections people made will continue to make a tangible difference to our working lives.

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The Vision of CRAN

Formed in 2018, the Cambridge Research Administrator Network (CRAN) is a network to connect Research Managers and Administrators across Cambridgeshire to build and strengthen relationships by sharing information, knowledge, resources and celebrating best practices to support research.

The idea is simple – an opportunity for RMAs to engage with each other in the local area. This network will aim to foster relationships and encourage connections.

  • Cambridge Research Administrator Network has been formed to address a lack of networking opportunities between research managers and administrators in the Cambridge region. The aims of the network are:
  • To hold regular meetings between colleagues in academic and charitable research offices.
  • To share best practice through short presentations, either within the network or from external source.
  • To discuss current issues in research administration, strengthening relationships for current and future collaborations.

Since our Inaugural meeting in October 2018, we have held 6 events and presented our network at the annual Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA) Conference held in Belfast in June 2019.

With over 150 members from across Cambridge and beyond including; Wellcome Sanger Institute, Babraham Institute, University of Cambridge, Anglia Ruskin University, Rothamsted Research, EMBL-EBI and Royal Botanic Gardens Kew we are continuing to grow our network.