Scholarly Communications Manager

A Scholarly Communications Manager is responsible for the development, implementation, and management of scholarly communication programs and services at academic institutions and research organizations. They work with faculty, researchers, librarians, and other stakeholders to develop and implement strategies for disseminating research findings, managing research data, and promoting open access to scholarship.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of a Scholarly Communications Manager can vary depending on the size and type of institution or organization they work for. However, some common responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing scholarly communication policies and procedures
• Managing research data and ensuring compliance with data management regulations
• Promoting open access to scholarship and working to reduce barriers to access
• Educating faculty and researchers on scholarly communication best practices
• Collaborating with librarians and other stakeholders to develop and implement scholarly communication services

Education and Experience

Most Scholarly Communications Managers have a master's degree in library science, information science, or a related field. They also typically have several years of experience working in academic libraries or research institutions. Some Scholarly Communications Managers also have a PhD in a related field.

Skills

Scholarly Communications Managers need to have a strong understanding of scholarly communication principles and best practices. They also need to have excellent communication, interpersonal, and project management skills. Additionally, they need to be familiar with a variety of scholarly communication technologies and tools.

Career Growth

Scholarly Communications Managers can advance their careers by taking on leadership roles within their organizations. They can also move into related fields, such as academic publishing or research administration.

Transferable Skills

The skills that Scholarly Communications Managers develop can be transferred to a variety of other careers. These skills include:

• Project management
• Communication
• Interpersonal skills
• Research data management
• Scholarly communication principles

Day-to-Day

The day-to-day work of a Scholarly Communications Manager can vary depending on the size and type of institution or organization they work for. However, some common tasks include:

• Meeting with faculty and researchers to discuss scholarly communication needs
• Developing and implementing scholarly communication policies and procedures
• Managing research data and ensuring compliance with data management regulations
• Promoting open access to scholarship and working to reduce barriers to access
• Educating faculty and researchers on scholarly communication best practices
• Collaborating with librarians and other stakeholders to develop and implement scholarly communication services

Challenges

Scholarly Communications Managers face a number of challenges in their work. These challenges include:

• The rapidly changing landscape of scholarly communication
• The need to balance the interests of different stakeholders
• The lack of funding for scholarly communication initiatives
• The need to keep up with new technologies and tools

Projects

Scholarly Communications Managers may work on a variety of projects, such as:

• Developing and implementing a new open access policy
• Creating a new research data management service
• Educating faculty and researchers on scholarly communication best practices
• Collaborating with other institutions to develop new scholarly communication initiatives

Personal Growth

Scholarly Communications Managers have the opportunity to grow in their careers by taking on new challenges and responsibilities. They can also develop their skills through professional development activities, such as workshops, conferences, and online courses.

Personality Traits and Personal Interests

Scholarly Communications Managers are typically:

• Organized and detail-oriented
• Excellent communicators
• Strong project managers
• Passionate about scholarly communication
• Interested in new technologies and tools

Self-Guided Projects

There are a number of self-guided projects that students can complete to better prepare themselves for a career as a Scholarly Communications Manager. These projects include:

• Developing a scholarly communication plan for a specific research project
• Creating a research data management plan
• Educating faculty and researchers on scholarly communication best practices
• Collaborating with other institutions to develop new scholarly communication initiatives

Online Courses

Online courses can be a helpful way to learn about scholarly communication and prepare for a career as a Scholarly Communications Manager. These courses can provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in this field. Online courses can also help students to network with other professionals in the field.

Some of the skills and knowledge that students can gain from online courses include:

• Scholarly communication principles and best practices
• Research data management
• Open access to scholarship
• Scholarly communication technologies and tools
• Project management
• Communication
• Interpersonal skills

Online courses can be a helpful way to learn about scholarly communication and prepare for a career as a Scholarly Communications Manager. However, it is important to note that online courses alone are not enough to follow a path to this career. Students who are interested in becoming a Scholarly Communications Manager should also consider pursuing a master's degree in library science, information science, or a related field.