ACRI was established to address a critical gap in the support and recognition of research infrastructure specialists within the higher education and research sectors. These professionals, who blend technical expertise with essential business and customer service skills, are vital to advancing research. Yet, traditional career paths in academia often fail to acknowledge their unique contributions, leading to challenges in career progression and talent retention.
The Purpose of the Academy
The Academy was created in response to the long-standing challenge of how best to develop and nurture the research infrastructure workforce. ACRI represents a dedicated voice and community for research infrastructure specialists. Its purpose is to advocate for clear career progression paths, tailor professional development opportunities to the specific needs of the workforce, and foster a community of peers for effective knowledge diffusion.
Mission
Their mission is to accelerate research excellence and societal impact by:
- Advocating for the research infrastructure workforce, reflected in national policy and systems with embedded changes, where reward and recognition of contributions translate to equitable and clear career paths.
- Upskilling and developing the research infrastructure workforce through dedicated training and education, including pathways for formal accreditation, aligned with national priorities
- Proactively providing opportunities for the research infrastructure community to network and collaborate, including conferences, workshops, and forums.
- Facilitating effective and efficient knowledge transfer through coordination of resources and information for the research infrastructure community.