Document Type
Papers in Research Development
Original Publication Date
2022
Date of Submission
October 2025
Abstract
Multiple definitions of Research Development (RD) have been offered in peer-reviewed literature, gray literature, an in public settings by RD researchers and thought leaders. Definitions often identify specific activities performed by RD professionals also referred to as RDers, whereas the authors of this work offer the following definition of Research Development for the purpose of communicating with a broad audience: Research Development is a function that seeks to grow research or increase the research reputation of an institution. The authors find this description sufficiently broad to capture the majority of activities RDers perform, reasonably succinct and devoid of jargon, and specific enough to distinguish RD from adjacent functions (e.g., research administration or foundation relations).
Rights
(c) Kimberly Eck and Joshua Roney
Is Part Of
Research Development Repository
Comments
The NORDP New Opportunities in Research Development (NORD) initiative invited this opinion piece, What Is Research Development?