Writing on structure, tools, and practical systems
A space for reflections on research administration, workflow design, overlooked tools, and system thinking in practice.
March 24, 2026
Not Everything Needs to Be Manual: Small Excel Tools That Changed My Workflow
A practical reflection on overlooked Excel tools in research administration, including Office Scripts, Focus Cell, and simple Excel dashboards.
Recent
March 31, 2026
Participant Incentives in Research: Distinguishing Purchase from Distribution
A practical breakdown of participant incentives in research administration, focusing on the difference between purchase, inventory, and distribution.
March 25, 2026
The Use of Restorative Practices in Research Administration
How restorative practices can help research administrators recognize tension early, defuse conflict, and protect working relationships across departments, PIs, and central offices.
March 25, 2026
AI in Research Administration: Types, Use Cases, and Tradeoffs
A reflection on how AI is showing up in research administration, the different types of tools, and the benefits and risks of using them in structured work.
March 25, 2026
When the System Resets: Institutional Knowledge During Platform Transitions
A reflection on institutional knowledge, system transitions, and what becomes visible when institutions reset the platforms they rely on.