鈥淭he most rewarding鈥攁nd often the most challenging鈥攑art of my role is helping colleagues find the right path to achieve their research goals.鈥�听
As Research Administrator at 涩里番鈥檚 Faculty of Law, Jenni Scissons provides strategic guidance and support to professors throughout the grant and award application process. In a Faculty known for its international outlook and interdisciplinary research, her expertise is key to connecting scholars with the right funding programs to advance their work.听
鈥淥耻谤 贵补肠耻濒迟测鈥檚 expertise spans a remarkable range鈥�from civil, common law and Indigenous legal traditions, to health, ethics, criminal law, science and innovation, and human rights. There鈥檚 no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to research funding.鈥�听
Scissons offers expert guidance at every stage of grant development. She meets with researchers to discuss their projects and long-term goals, identifies suitable funding opportunities, and provides hands-on support throughout the proposal-writing process. She also leads the internal review, serving as an informed, non-specialist reader who helps refine the story that flows through each proposal before it undergoes final review by colleagues in 惭肠骋颈濒濒鈥檚 Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation.听
鈥淥耻谤 colleagues at Research and Innovation bring outstanding expertise on specific funding programs. Once 飞别鈥檝别 shaped the proposal and made it as strong as we can, they perfect it to ensure it truly shines in competition, making sure it meets every program 谤别辩耻颈谤别尘别苍迟.鈥�听
Since stepping into her role in 2022, Scissons has made relationship-building central to her approach. The 贵补肠耻濒迟测鈥檚 close-knit community allows her to know each member and their research area personally鈥攃onnections that have fostered strong relationships of trust and collaboration. 鈥淲e remind colleagues that the overall research program 迟丑别测鈥檒濒 pursue over their career is built from a series of projects and grants. Tackling one milestone at a time helps keep things in perspective when an application 诲辞别蝉苍鈥檛 pan out as expected, and we have to pivot. And, more importantly, it provides numerous opportunities to celebrate progress along the way, and make long-term goals feel achievable.鈥�听听
This thoughtful, long-term perspective has yielded impressive results: 涩里番 Law researchers consistently exceed national benchmarks in securing tri-agency funding. 鈥淥ne of the most fulfilling aspects of my job is supporting colleagues at every stage of their career. One cycle, we might help an assistant professor secure their first major grant; another, 飞别鈥檙别 celebrating a full professor winning a national award recognizing a lifetime of scholarship.鈥�听
鈥�I am proud to work with colleagues grappling with serious societal questions, like how to curb tax evasion, regulate AI, or fairly indemnify crime victims 鈥� I鈥檓 happy to demystify the funding process so they can focus on doing the important work.鈥澨�听