Strengthening the Research Management Community in Malta

Last week, the University of Malta and the historic streets of Valletta served as the backdrop for a significant gathering of European research leadership. Dr Christian Bonnici, Director of Research Support Services at the University of Malta and Treasurer of the European Association of Research Managers and Administrators (EARMA), hosted the EARMA Board for their latest strategic meeting. This was the first opportunity for the EARMA Board to visit Malta since May 2017, when the Annual EARMA conference was held in Valletta.

The visit offered a perfect synergy between high-level strategy and local engagement. While the EARMA Board conducted their formal proceedings at the Valletta Campus, the visit also provided a vital opportunity to bridge the gap between European leadership and the local professional ecosystem.

As the Maltese National Contact Point for the European Research Area (ERA) action on research management, Dr Bonnici organised a dedicated networking event at the ERIL Foyer at the University of Malta. This session brought together the EARMA Board—including EARMA Chair Dipti Pandya (Director of Research at University College Dublin)—and a diverse group of local Research Managers and Administrators (RMAs). The local community was well-represented, with participants joining from MCAST, Xjenza Malta, and Malta Enterprise, alongside their colleagues from the University of Malta and the Research, Innovation and Development Trust (RIDT).

The discussions focused on the evolving landscape of research management and the ongoing efforts to professionalise the role across the continent. Reflecting on the significance of the gathering, Dr Bonnici noted:

"As EARMA Treasurer, I believe there is immense value in the Board moving beyond the Brussels office to engage directly with the wider community. After the successful EARMA Conference held in Valletta in 2017, I embraced this opportunity to bring our leadership again closer to the Maltese RMA community and provide the Board with the renewed energy that comes from seeing our profession thrive in different contexts. It is essential that research managers in every corner of Europe feel they are part of a cohesive, supportive network and not alone in the vast world of research management."

The networking event highlighted the growing momentum of the RMA profession in Malta, showcasing the expertise and collaborative spirit that drive successful international research projects.

Looking ahead, the energy from these meetings is already fueling preparations for the future. While the community continues to strengthen locally, the international focus is shifting toward the 2026 EARMA Annual Conference in Utrecht, the Netherlands. This flagship event will serve as the next major milestone for the community to gather, share best practices and continue the vital work of research managers in supporting the European and local research landscape.