The Blog

Welcome to iDoGrants

You’ve come to the right blog if you’re interested in learning more about academic research – performing research, managing research, reporting research, and everything in between. iDoGrants is dedicated to developing a culture of collaborative investigation that eliminates traditional definitions and boundaries of research. I am here to help, to inspire, and to promote the joy of research!

People stand on a giant scatterplot, becoming the data points themselves.

Latest Blog Post

Illustrations

October 01, 2026

Study Population: Every Data Point Has a Story

What if a Study Population literally stood on the scatterplot?
Behind every graph, table, and statistical model are real people whose experiences make discovery possible.
Every data point has a story.
#ScienceGetsLiteral #StudyPopulation #PublicHealth #ClinicalResearch #ResearchMethods

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A hospital is transformed into a courtroom where medical evidence is presented.

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Illustrations

September 24, 2026

Clinical Trial: Where Evidence Takes the Stand

What if Clinical Trials were actual courtroom trials?
The comparison may be playful, but the principle is serious.
Before new treatments become standard practice, the evidence has to make its case.
#ScienceGetsLiteral #ClinicalTrials #ClinicalResearch #EvidenceBasedMedicine #TranslationalScience

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Latest Blog Post

Academic Writing

September 21, 2026

Your First Research Administration Publication: Moving from Idea to Submission

Your first publication doesn’t need to change the field.
It simply needs to contribute to the conversation.
Many publishable ideas already exist within your programs, evaluations, presentations, and daily work.
#ResearchAdministration #ScholarlyWriting #AcademicPublishing

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Researchers are covered with revision notes, comments, and manuscript edits

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Illustrations

September 17, 2026

Peer Review: Science Improves Through Conversation

What if Peer Review looked exactly the way it feels?
Covered in comments. Surrounded by revisions. Wondering how many times “minor revisions” can actually be minor.
Yet science improves through critique, conversation, and revision.
#ScienceGetsLiteral #PeerReview #AcademicPublishing #Research #ScienceCommunication

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Latest Blog Post

Academic Writing

September 14, 2026

Surviving Peer Review: What Happens After You Hit Submit

Peer review is not punishment.
At its best, it is a structured process for making manuscripts clearer, stronger, and more useful.
Good authors don’t fear feedback. They learn from it.
#PeerReview #ResearchAdministration #ScholarlyWriting

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Research participants sit behind observation glass while scientists watch and take notes.

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Illustrations

September 10, 2026

Control Group: The Value of Standing Still

What if a Control Group were literally sitting behind observation glass?
One of science’s most important lessons is that understanding often requires comparison.
Sometimes the most valuable insight comes from what doesn’t change.
#ScienceGetsLiteral #ControlGroup #ResearchMethods #ClinicalResearch #EvidenceBasedScience

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Latest Blog Post

Academic Writing

September 07, 2026

Titles and Abstracts: The Most Important 300 Words You’ll Write

The title attracts readers. The abstract keeps them reading.
Most readers decide whether to continue based on fewer than 300 words. Make those words count.
#ResearchAdministration #ScholarlyWriting #ResearchDevelopment #ResearchCommunication

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A failed experiment appears in a courtroom where evidence is being presented.

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Illustrations

September 03, 2026

Trial and Error: The Hidden Engine of Discovery

What if Trial and Error involved putting failed experiments on trial?
Science advances through testing ideas, learning from mistakes, and adjusting course.
Failure isn’t the opposite of discovery. It’s often part of the process.
#ScienceGetsLiteral #TrialAndError #ResearchMethods #ScientificDiscovery #Innovation

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Latest Blog Post

Academic Writing

August 31, 2026

Writing Results: Stop Making Readers Do Math

Data are numbers. Results are meaning.
If readers must calculate differences and identify patterns themselves, the Results section isn’t doing its job.
State the finding. Then support it with evidence.
#ResearchAdministration #ScholarlyWriting #ProgramEvaluation

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A scientist paints graphs, charts, and data displays on an artist's easel.

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Illustrations

August 27, 2026

Data Visualization: Making Ideas Visible

What if data visualization meant literally painting graphs and charts?
The best visualizations don’t just display information. They help us see something we couldn’t see before.
Discovery becomes meaningful when it becomes visible.
#ScienceGetsLiteral #DataVisualization #ScienceCommunication #DataScience #ResearchMethods

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Latest Blog Post

Academic Writing

August 24, 2026

Could Someone Else Repeat What You Did? Writing Methods That Build Trust

Methods sections build trust.
Readers should understand who participated, what was done, how data were collected, and how conclusions were reached. Transparency turns experience into evidence.
#ResearchAdministration #ScholarlyWriting #ProgramEvaluation #ResearchDevelopment

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Researchers stand beneath an enormous tower of numbers that rises above them.

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Academic Writing

August 17, 2026

Every Paper Tells a Story: Helping Readers Navigate Your Scholarship

Every paper tells a story.
Introduction: Why it matters.
Methods: How we know.
Results: What happened.
Discussion: What it means.
Readers should never feel lost.
#ResearchAdministration #ScholarlyWriting #ResearchDevelopment #ResearchTraining

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Streams of numbers travel through a network of large industrial pipes monitored by scientists.

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Illustrations

August 13, 2026

Data Pipeline: The Infrastructure Behind Discovery

What if data pipelines were actual pipelines carrying streams of numbers?
Modern science depends on infrastructure that most people never see.
When systems work well, discovery flows. When they don’t, progress slows.
#ScienceGetsLiteral #DataPipeline #ResearchInfrastructure #DataEngineering #ScientificDiscovery

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Latest Blog Post

Academic Writing

August 10, 2026

The Question Behind the Question: What Makes a Good Research Administration Paper?

Good papers don’t begin with data. They begin with curiosity.
Many research administration studies start with a simple question: Why is this happening?
Operational challenges often contain research opportunities hiding in plain sight.
#ResearchAdministration #ScholarlyPublishing #ResearchDevelopment #ProgramEvaluation

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Scientists wash and dry datasets inside a laundromat.

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Illustrations

August 06, 2026

Data Cleaning: The Most Important Job Nobody Talks About

What if data cleaning meant taking your datasets to the laundromat?
Behind the joke is a reality every researcher understands: trustworthy science depends on careful preparation.
The most important work is often the work nobody sees.
#ScienceGetsLiteral #DataCleaning #ResearchIntegrity #Biostatistics #DataScience

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Latest Blog Post

Academic Writing

August 03, 2026

From Knowledge Consumer to Knowledge Creator: Why Research Administrators Should Publish

Research administrators don’t just support scholarship—we create knowledge too.
Many publishable questions already exist in mentoring programs, workforce initiatives, evaluations, compliance systems, and research operations.
What challenge in your work might be worth studying?
#ResearchAdministration #ResearchDevelopment #ResearchTraining #ScholarlyPublishing

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Scientists wearing mining gear dig through mountains of data in search of discoveries.

Latest Blog Post

Illustrations

July 30, 2026

Data Mining: Digging for Discovery

What if data mining involved scientists literally digging through mountains of numbers?
The image may be playful, but the lesson is real: discovery often requires persistence, patience, and a willingness to keep searching for meaningful patterns.
Sometimes science advances one shovel full at a time.
#ScienceGetsLiteral #DataMining #DataScience #ResearchMethods #ScientificDiscovery

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Defining Your Signature Experience in Research Administration: From Process to Philosophy

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Career and Personal Development

July 27, 2026

Defining Your Signature Experience in Research Administration: From Process to Philosophy

In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara demonstrates that excellence is not accidental—it is designed, reinforced, and expressed through a clear philosophy. In research administration, defining a “signature experience” is what transforms consistent service into memorable impact. This final post synthesizes the series and explores how individuals and programs can intentionally define how they are experienced.

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Antibodies and immune cells sort packages and messages inside a busy mailroom.

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Illustrations

July 23, 2026

Immune Response: Organized Defense in Action

What if the immune system operated like a giant mailroom?
The more we learn about immunology, the more we appreciate that protection depends on communication, coordination, and memory—not just defense.
Sometimes biology’s most complex systems can be understood through surprisingly simple metaphors.
#ScienceGetsLiteral #Immunology #ImmuneResponse #ScienceCommunication #STEMEducation

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Don’t Just Do the Job—Create Magic: Reclaiming Purpose in Research Administration

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Career and Personal Development

July 20, 2026

Don’t Just Do the Job—Create Magic: Reclaiming Purpose in Research Administration

In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara reframes hospitality as a responsibility: to create moments of “magic” that make people’s lives better, even briefly. In research administration, where work is often defined by processes and deadlines, this perspective reconnects us to purpose. This post explores how moving beyond task execution to intentional impact can transform both the work and the people doing it.

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Cartoon cells direct traffic at a busy intersection using signs and signals.

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Illustrations

July 16, 2026

Cell Signaling: The Power of Invisible Communication

What if cell signaling involved tiny biological traffic controllers directing the flow of information?
Cells depend on communication to coordinate their activities. So do research teams, organizations, and scientific communities.
Communication may be invisible when it works well—but everything depends on it.
#ScienceGetsLiteral #CellSignaling #TeamScience #Leadership #ScienceCommunication

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Be the Swan: Professionalism Under Pressure in Research Administration

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Career and Personal Development

July 13, 2026

Be the Swan: Professionalism Under Pressure in Research Administration

In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara uses the metaphor of a swan—calm and graceful above the surface, while working tirelessly beneath it—to describe exceptional service. In research administration, where complexity and urgency are constant, this principle captures the essence of professionalism under pressure. This post explores how maintaining composure externally while managing intensity internally creates trust, confidence, and stability.

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Two cartoon cells divide an apartment and household belongings between themselves.

Latest Blog Post

Illustrations

July 09, 2026

Cell Division: Growth Through Shared Responsibility

What if cell division looked less like biology and more like two cells dividing up an apartment?
Behind the joke is a reminder that growth often requires distributing responsibilities, resources, and opportunities.
In science—and in life—division is not always separation. Sometimes it’s expansion.
#ScienceGetsLiteral #CellDivision #Mitosis #ResearchLeadership #ScientificCareers

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Make the Charitable Assumption: Leading with Empathy in High-Stakes Research Environments

Latest Blog Post

Career and Personal Development

July 06, 2026

Make the Charitable Assumption: Leading with Empathy in High-Stakes Research Environments

Blog Excerpt
In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara introduces the principle of the “charitable assumption”—the practice of assuming the best in others, even when their behavior suggests otherwise. In research administration, where interactions often occur under pressure, this mindset can transform difficult stakeholder dynamics into opportunities for trust and connection. This post explores how leading with empathy can elevate both relationships and outcomes.

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A group of cartoon cells visit an art museum, examining exhibits and artwork as if participating in a cultural event.

Latest Blog Post

Illustrations

July 02, 2026

Cell Culture: The Environment Shapes What Grows

Scientists use the term cell culture every day, but what if cells actually had a culture?
This week’s Science Gets Literal illustration explores how the environments we create—whether in a laboratory or an organization—shape what grows.
The quality of the culture often determines what becomes possible.
#ScienceGetsLiteral #CellBiology #ResearchCulture #STEMEducation #ScienceCommunication

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Your Job is to Find People’s Hidden Strengths: Talent Development in Research Administration

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Career and Personal Development

June 29, 2026

Your Job is to Find People’s Hidden Strengths: Talent Development in Research Administration

In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara frames leadership as a responsibility to identify and develop the strengths of those on your team—no matter how deeply buried they may be. In research administration, where roles are complex and evolving, effective leadership requires more than oversight; it requires intentional talent development. This post explores how unlocking hidden strengths can transform both individual performance and team impact.

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Praise Loudly, Critique Quietly: Feedback That Builds High-Performing Research Administration Teams

Latest Blog Post

Career and Personal Development

June 22, 2026

Praise Loudly, Critique Quietly: Feedback That Builds High-Performing Research Administration Teams

In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara outlines a simple but powerful feedback principle: praise in public, critique in private—and deliver both with intention. In research administration, where team performance depends on trust, clarity, and growth, how feedback is delivered matters as much as what is said. This post explores how intentional feedback behaviors can strengthen culture, build confidence, and elevate team performance.

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Consistency Builds Trust (and Inconsistency Destroys It): Leadership and Psychological Safety in Research Administration

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Career and Personal Development

June 15, 2026

Consistency Builds Trust (and Inconsistency Destroys It): Leadership and Psychological Safety in Research Administration

In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara emphasizes that consistency is one of the most underrated qualities of effective leadership. In research administration, where teams operate in complex and high-pressure environments, consistency is not just a management style—it is the foundation of psychological safety. This post explores how predictable, steady leadership builds trust, while inconsistency quietly erodes it.

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If Your Team Doesn’t Feel It, Your Stakeholders Never Will: Why Culture is the Foundation of Research Administration Excellence

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Career and Personal Development

June 08, 2026

If Your Team Doesn’t Feel It, Your Stakeholders Never Will: Why Culture is the Foundation of Research Administration Excellence

In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara makes a critical point: you cannot deliver exceptional experiences externally if your internal culture does not support it. In research administration, where teams are responsible for shaping the experiences of faculty, scholars, and trainees, culture is not a background factor—it is the foundation. This post explores why belonging, trust, and internal alignment are prerequisites for meaningful external impact.

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Systemizing Excellence Without Killing It: Balancing Structure and Personalization in Research Administration

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Career and Personal Development

June 01, 2026

Systemizing Excellence Without Killing It: Balancing Structure and Personalization in Research Administration

In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara highlights a critical tension: systems create consistency, but too much control can suppress creativity and diminish the human experience. In research administration, where structure is essential, the challenge is not whether to build systems—but how to design them so they enable, rather than constrain, meaningful interactions. This post explores how to balance standardization with personalization to deliver both rigor and hospitality.

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The 95/5 Rule of Exceptional Programs: Where Research Administrators Should (Actually) Invest Their Effort

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Career and Personal Development

May 18, 2026

The 95/5 Rule of Exceptional Programs: Where Research Administrators Should (Actually) Invest Their Effort

In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara introduces the “95/5 rule”: manage 95% of the business with discipline and precision, and spend the remaining 5% in ways that create extraordinary experiences. In research administration, this principle offers a powerful framework for balancing rigor with impact. This post explores how strategic investment in small, high-impact moments can transform good programs into exceptional ones.

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Latest Blog Post

Career and Personal Development

May 11, 2026

Inspire the Perfect Curriculum Vitae

Article publié pour la première fois le 09/03/2018The range of variation that the curriculum vitae permits is truly astounding. And, in our line of work, it’s common to find 70-90 page CVs for our established investigators.  Common formatting dictates a 1″ margin on all sides with a legible and standardized font. However, when it comes […]

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Latest Blog Post

Career and Personal Development

May 11, 2026

When the Parallel Universe Feels Just Right

Article publié pour la première fois le 24/09/2025Some days, I catch myself daydreaming about an alternate career — not because I want to leave my current work, but because a different path can reveal what I value most. Today’s daydream? I’m a Research Sabbatical Retreat Leader — someone who creates quiet, beautiful spaces where burned-out […]

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The Power of the “Grace Note”: How Small Moments Create Outsized Impact in Research Administration

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Career and Personal Development

May 11, 2026

The Power of the “Grace Note”: How Small Moments Create Outsized Impact in Research Administration

In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara describes the concept of the “grace note”—a small, thoughtful gesture that is not required, but deeply felt. In research administration, these moments often require minimal effort but create disproportionate impact. This post explores how small, intentional actions can transform routine interactions into memorable experiences.

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Budget Planning and Allocation: Effective Strategies for Planning and Allocating Your Budget

Latest Blog Post

Grant Writing

May 04, 2026

Budget Planning and Allocation: Effective Strategies for Planning and Allocating Your Budget

Article publié pour la première fois le 10/01/2025Budget planning and allocation are critical components of grant proposals, often determining their feasibility and success. Effective budget management demonstrates your ability to use funds wisely and achieve your project objectives. The Importance of Detailed Budget Planning A well-planned budget outlines all anticipated expenses and justifies the need […]

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Latest Blog Post

Grant Writing

May 04, 2026

Strategic Grant Writing: Navigating Language with Nuance

🚨 New Resource Alert! 🚨Grant writers, navigating funder language just got easier! 📄✨ Our latest guide helps you replace flagged terms with strategic alternatives—ensuring clarity while keeping your proposal strong. 💡🔍 Check it out now! 🔗 #GrantWriting #ResearchFunding #Wordsmithing

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Intentionality is Not Optional: Designing Research Administration Experiences on Purpose

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Career and Personal Development

May 04, 2026

Intentionality is Not Optional: Designing Research Administration Experiences on Purpose

In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara defines intentionality as the practice of making every decision—large and small—with clear purpose. In research administration, where competing demands can push us into reactive workflows, intentionality is what transforms processes into designed experiences. This post explores why intentionality is not a luxury—it is a requirement for meaningful, high-impact work.

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People Will Forget What You Did—But Not How You Made Them Feel: The Emotional Impact of Research Administration

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Career and Personal Development

April 27, 2026

People Will Forget What You Did—But Not How You Made Them Feel: The Emotional Impact of Research Administration

In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara reinforces a timeless truth: people may forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel. In research administration, where interactions often occur under pressure, the emotional tone of our work shapes trust, confidence, and long-term relationships. This post explores why emotional impact is not secondary to our work—it is central to it.

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Latest Blog Post

Grant Writing

April 20, 2026

How to Write a One-Page Specific Aims Page for Your Next Grant Application

Article publié pour la première fois le 19/03/2023Once you have identified several possible funding sources, verified that your idea is 1) original, irresistible, and fundable, 2) comes from an established background, 3) offers a vertical advancement and more knowledge to the field, and 4) the general need/topic has not been funded recently, you are ready […]

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Why “Good Enough” Will Never Be Memorable: Rethinking Excellence in Research Administration

Latest Blog Post

Career and Personal Development

April 20, 2026

Why “Good Enough” Will Never Be Memorable: Rethinking Excellence in Research Administration

In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara argues that excellence alone is not enough to stand out—it is the willingness to be “unreasonable” that creates truly memorable experiences. In research administration, where accuracy and compliance are expected, differentiation comes from how we go beyond the baseline. This post explores why “good enough” is no longer sufficient—and how intentional, human-centered approaches can transform routine support into lasting impact.

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Service is Black and White. Hospitality is Color: Reframing Excellence in Research Administration

Latest Blog Post

Career and Personal Development

April 13, 2026

Service is Black and White. Hospitality is Color: Reframing Excellence in Research Administration

In Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara introduces a powerful distinction: service is black and white, but hospitality is color. In research administration, where accuracy and compliance are expected, true differentiation comes from how we make people feel. This post explores how shifting from transactional service to intentional hospitality can transform everyday interactions into meaningful, trust-building experiences for faculty, scholars, and stakeholders.

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Disclaimer: I was not compensated, sponsored, or asked to promote this book in any way—I simply found it valuable and worth sharing. A Different Kind of Book Club In academic settings, the idea of a “book club” often feels informal—something reserved for personal growth or casual discussion. Yet some books demand a more deliberate kind of engagement, particularly when they challenge the way we approach our work. Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect is one of those books. While it is grounded in the world of fine dining, its core message extends far beyond restaurants: any profession can choose to operate in the hospitality business. In research administration, this idea is both unexpected and deeply relevant (Guidara, 2022). At its core, Unreasonable Hospitality argues that excellence is not enough to differentiate an organization—what matters is how people feel as a result of their experience. This concept challenges the traditional framing of research administration as a primarily procedural or compliance-driven function. While accuracy, timeliness, and regulatory adherence remain essential, they are also widely expected. What is less common—and far more impactful—is the intentional design of experiences that are clear, supportive, and memorable. This shift from task execution to experience design forms the foundation of this series. This is not a book review. It is a translation exercise. Over the next series of posts, we will take key concepts from Unreasonable Hospitality and apply them directly to research administration—exploring how ideas such as service versus hospitality, intentionality, small moments of impact, and leadership behaviors can reshape the way we support faculty, scholars, and trainees. Each post will focus on a single principle, offering both reflection and practical application. The goal is not simply to understand the ideas, but to integrate them into daily practice. Framing this series as a “book club” is intentional. A book club implies participation, reflection, and conversation—not passive consumption. The invitation is not just to read, but to consider: How do these ideas apply to your own work? Where do they challenge your current approach? What might change if you adopted them more fully? In this way, the series becomes a shared exploration of how research administration can evolve—not through large-scale transformation alone, but through small, intentional shifts in how we approach our roles. Importantly, this series also recognizes the context in which research administrators operate. The work is complex, deadlines are fixed, and resources are often limited. The goal is not to add more to an already full workload, but to rethink how existing work is experienced. Many of the concepts explored—clarity in communication, anticipation of needs, consistency in leadership—require minimal additional time, yet have significant impact. This is the central promise of unreasonable hospitality: that small, thoughtful actions can create disproportionately meaningful experiences. Ultimately, this series is about expanding how we define excellence in research administration. If service is the baseline, hospitality becomes the differentiator. If processes define what we do, experiences define how that work is remembered. By engaging with these ideas over time, we can begin to articulate a more intentional, human-centered approach to our work—one that aligns precision with purpose. ________________________________________ What to Expect in This Series Over the next several posts, we will explore themes including: • The difference between service and hospitality • Why “good enough” is not memorable • The role of intentionality in designing experiences • The impact of small, thoughtful moments • Leadership behaviors that shape culture and trust • Balancing systems with personalization • Defining your own signature experience Each post will build on the last, creating a cohesive framework for applying these ideas within research administration. ________________________________________ Action Items to Get Started • Begin with awareness. As you move through your work this week, notice where interactions feel transactional versus experiential. • Select one upcoming interaction and consider how you might intentionally shape the experience. • Approach this series actively. Reflect on each concept and identify one small way to apply it in your context. • Engage your team. Consider discussing these ideas collectively to build shared language and alignment. This is not about doing more. It is about doing what we already do—with greater intention.

Latest Blog Post

Career and Personal Development

April 06, 2026

A Different Kind of Book Club: Rethinking Research Administration Through Unreasonable Hospitality

What if research administration isn’t just about compliance and coordination—but about experience, connection, and impact? In this series, we’ll explore Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect through the lens of academic research environments. Consider this a professional book club—one that challenges how we think about service, leadership, and what it truly means to support others in meaningful ways.

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Latest Blog Post

Research Administration

January 05, 2026

Exploring AI Ethics: Enhancing Human Judgment, Not Replacing It

Today I’m speaking with NIH TL1 and T32 trainees about Exploring AI Ethics—and it’s a conversation that matters just as much for research administrators. AI should never replace your thinking—it should make your curiosity, collaboration, and joy of research more visible.

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Your ability to keep going

Latest Blog Post

Grant Writing

May 11, 2026

Building Your Grant Budget: Indirect Costs or Facilities and Administrative Costs (F&A)

Article publié pour la première fois le 03/10/2022Indirect costs represent the expenses of doing research that are not readily identified with a specific activity but are necessary to the general operation of the project. To be blunt, indirect costs are anything that is not a direct cost, such as: heat, light, or accounting. In general, […]

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BLOG CATEGORIES

Illustrations

Study Population: Every Data Point Has a Story
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Illustrations

Clinical Trial: Where Evidence Takes the Stand
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Academic Writing

Your First Research Administration Publication: Moving from Idea to Submission
Read Now

Illustrations

Peer Review: Science Improves Through Conversation
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Academic Writing

Surviving Peer Review: What Happens After You Hit Submit
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Illustrations

Control Group: The Value of Standing Still
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Academic Writing

Titles and Abstracts: The Most Important 300 Words You’ll Write
Read Now

Illustrations

Trial and Error: The Hidden Engine of Discovery
Read Now

Academic Writing

Writing Results: Stop Making Readers Do Math
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Illustrations

Data Visualization: Making Ideas Visible
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Academic Writing

Could Someone Else Repeat What You Did? Writing Methods That Build Trust
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Illustrations

Big Data: Standing Beneath the Mountain
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Academic Writing

Every Paper Tells a Story: Helping Readers Navigate Your Scholarship
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Illustrations

Data Pipeline: The Infrastructure Behind Discovery
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Academic Writing

The Question Behind the Question: What Makes a Good Research Administration Paper?
Read Now

Illustrations

Data Cleaning: The Most Important Job Nobody Talks About
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Academic Writing

From Knowledge Consumer to Knowledge Creator: Why Research Administrators Should Publish
Read Now

Illustrations

Data Mining: Digging for Discovery
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Career and Personal Development

Defining Your Signature Experience in Research Administration: From Process to Philosophy
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Illustrations

Immune Response: Organized Defense in Action
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Career and Personal Development

Don’t Just Do the Job—Create Magic: Reclaiming Purpose in Research Administration
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Illustrations

Cell Signaling: The Power of Invisible Communication
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Career and Personal Development

Be the Swan: Professionalism Under Pressure in Research Administration
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Illustrations

Cell Division: Growth Through Shared Responsibility
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Career and Personal Development

Make the Charitable Assumption: Leading with Empathy in High-Stakes Research Environments
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Career and Personal Development

Winter Is for Wisdom
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Illustrations

Cell Culture: The Environment Shapes What Grows
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Career and Personal Development

Your Job is to Find People’s Hidden Strengths: Talent Development in Research Administration
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Career and Personal Development

Praise Loudly, Critique Quietly: Feedback That Builds High-Performing Research Administration Teams
Read Now

Career and Personal Development

Leading Yourself First
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Career and Personal Development

Consistency Builds Trust (and Inconsistency Destroys It): Leadership and Psychological Safety in Research Administration
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Career and Personal Development

Seasons of Work, Seasons of Self
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Career and Personal Development

If Your Team Doesn’t Feel It, Your Stakeholders Never Will: Why Culture is the Foundation of Research Administration Excellence
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Career and Personal Development

Systemizing Excellence Without Killing It: Balancing Structure and Personalization in Research Administration
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Career and Personal Development

Design a System That Works Without You
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Career and Personal Development

The 95/5 Rule of Exceptional Programs: Where Research Administrators Should (Actually) Invest Their Effort
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Career and Personal Development

Inspire the Perfect Curriculum Vitae
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Research Administration

You Can’t Systematize Everything — But You Should Try
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Career and Personal Development

The Joy of Doing Nothing (and Why That Matters)
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Career and Personal Development

It’s Not Just Burnout — It’s Misalignment
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Career and Personal Development

Sustaining the Joy of Discovery
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Career and Personal Development

When the Parallel Universe Feels Just Right
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Career and Personal Development

The Power of the “Grace Note”: How Small Moments Create Outsized Impact in Research Administration
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Grant Writing

Budget Planning and Allocation: Effective Strategies for Planning and Allocating Your Budget
Read Now

Grant Writing

Strategic Grant Writing: Navigating Language with Nuance
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Career and Personal Development

Intentionality is Not Optional: Designing Research Administration Experiences on Purpose
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Career and Personal Development

People Will Forget What You Did—But Not How You Made Them Feel: The Emotional Impact of Research Administration
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Grant Writing

How to Write a One-Page Specific Aims Page for Your Next Grant Application
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Career and Personal Development

Why “Good Enough” Will Never Be Memorable: Rethinking Excellence in Research Administration
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Career and Personal Development

Boundaries Aren’t Barriers
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Career and Personal Development

Filter the Noise: Make Aligned Decisions Faster
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Career and Personal Development

Service is Black and White. Hospitality is Color: Reframing Excellence in Research Administration
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Career and Personal Development

A Different Kind of Book Club: Rethinking Research Administration Through Unreasonable Hospitality
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Career and Personal Development

Leadership Isn’t a Title — It’s a Design Choice
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Research Administration

Exploring AI Ethics: Enhancing Human Judgment, Not Replacing It
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Career and Personal Development

Designing a Year that Feels Like You
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A Guide for Navigating Change with Resilience
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Return Through Joy
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Sunday Reset

Sunday Reset: Open Tabs
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Sunday Reset

Sunday Reset: Just One More Thing
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