In episode #11 of the RM Framework Series, I’m joined by Blanka Csite from EARMA, who leads the work on the project’s Quality Label. We look at why a common European reference is needed in a research management training landscape that ranges from accredited university programmes to short professional courses and network-based training. Blanka explains how the Quality Label is being developed around a voluntary, developmental and proportionate approach, rather than a simple pass-or-fail system. Central to the concept is a self-assessment that encourages training providers to make the purpose, target group, learning outcomes, relevant RM Comp competencies and expected proficiency levels clearer. The goal is not to standardise every programme into the same format, but to make training offers easier to understand and compare—both for providers developing their programmes and for research managers deciding which training best fits their own professional development needs.

Time codes:

02:13 Guest introduction and fly in

04:17 Introducing the Quality Label

09:59 Developing the Quality Label Approach

19:06 Supporting Training Across the ERA

25:13 From Development to Testing

29:05 Reflections