November 26, 2026, 12-1:30pm EDT (90-minute webinar)
Research administrators are navigating increasingly complex demands, rising compliance requirements, expanding responsibilities, and persistent staffing shortages, all within the same finite hours of the day. This session takes a candid look at the realities of heavy workloads in research administration and their impact on productivity, well-being, and job satisfaction.
Participants will explore practical strategies for prioritizing work, managing competing demands, and improving workflow efficiency, while also learning how to set boundaries, say no when necessary, avoid overcommitting, and focus their time and energy on the activities that create the greatest value. The discussion will examine how individuals can advocate for realistic expectations, manage workload pressures, and identify opportunities to work more strategically rather than simply working harder.
Beyond individual approaches, the session will explore broader organizational considerations, including workload distribution, capacity planning, administrative burden reduction, and sustainable staffing practices. Participants will gain practical ideas for influencing positive change within their teams and institutions, helping move the conversation beyond "doing more with less" toward more realistic, sustainable, and effective ways of working.
Presented by: Kelly-Anne Maddox, Pierre-Jean Alarco, Karen E. Mosier
Kelly-Anne Maddox
Kelly-Anne Maddox has over 20 years of experience in research development. In 2013, she joined the University of Ottawa as the Senior Research Advisor in the Faculty of Arts, where she works in pre-award services, award submission, and international initiatives. She holds a PhD in French literature and was previously an Associate Professor at Thompson Rivers University. She has been a member of the CARA board since 2024.
Pierre-Jean Alarco
Pierre-Jean (him/he) holds a Masters in Organic Chemistry. Since 2011, Pierre-Jean contributed within Polytechnique’s Grant Office, as Grant facilitator to strategic and targeted initiatives. In 2013, he took on the stewardship of the NSERC-CREATE program, which he managed successfully, with CREATE-OPSIDIAN a training program entirely focused on Power Skills acquisition being one such grant awarded. As Knowledge Mobilization Officer, since 2018 he is structuring societal impact and knowledge mobilization strategies at Polytechnique Montreal. Grant proposals big and small all have to tell us about goals (outcomes) and objectives (how to get there) but answering why do we start writing a grant and how do we make it stand out are the not so visible steps he will discuss.
Karen Mosier
Karen E. Mosier is a Research Coordinator/Navigator for the Department of Surgery in the College of Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. Karen has her BA in Psychology and MSc in Pharmacy. Karen has over eighteen years’ experience in research administration. Karen is also the author of the self-help book entitled Soft Skills and Professional Tips for the Office.
Karen has been a CARA member since 2010. Karen completed her Certificate in Research Administration through ARMA in 2017. She is a member of Mohawk College’s Research Administration Program Advisory Committee. Karen is also a co-chair of CARA’s Professional Development committee and serves on the CARA Executive. She is also an instructor at Mohawk College for the Certification in Research Administration program and has taught the Funding Proposal Development course for the last 3 years.
Karen was the recipient of the Dan Chase Distinguished Service Award – Priority Initiatives in 2018, the Community Builder Award in 2019, the Spirit of Kindness Award in 2020, and the Research Management Excellence Award in 2021. Karen appreciates all the professional development opportunities available through CARA and cherishes all the wonderful relationships she has made through her volunteer activities with CARA.
The Pulse of Research Administration Series is presented by:
Karen E. Mosier
Research Coordinator/Navigator
University of Saskatchewan
Pierre-Jean Alarco
Knowledge Mobilization & Community Engagement Officer
Polytechnique Montreal
