Originally published in 2019, we love how this story shows superstar research admin, Katie Shoaf, who has since gotten her doctorate, was able to quickly and easily adapt InfoReady to her team's processes.
In the years since this story was published, Katie has continued her leadership in research administration by volunteering as a mentor to newer research admins, published articles furthering the knowledge base of research administration, and is currently a board member of the National Organization of Research Development Professionals.
Katie's team continues to use InfoReady, adapting new features as they became available, so that they have greatly expanded their uses of InfoReady!
By: Dr. Katie Shoaf, Associate Director of Grants Resources and Services, Appalachian State University
InfoReady has been making our lives easier at Appalachian State University for over a year now. Recently though, we've launched a new program at our institution called the "EDIT "(External Draft Intervention Team) program, which is a program for internal faculty to peer review proposals that are being prepared for external submission (not limited submission programs). EDIT functions like a "red team" to enable us to be more competitive externally while utilizing our internal resources. This is our first attempt to build a program like this here at Appalachian and it's already been very popular with applicants, and reviewers.
Applications are accepted into InfoReady as attachments, and we use the "File Upload" routing step feature for the reviewers to submit their feedback. We've heard that although the reviews themselves take time, the process itself is now simple, and allows flexibility and anonymity, if desired. Some reviewers print the applications, mark them up with a pen, and then scan the feedback in for upload, or they use track changes in Word, or the markup feature in Adobe. This program also gives us early notice about people who are applying for a grant externally (they have to submit a draft for feedback no later than a month before the external deadline), and enables us to liaise in a timely fashion with our colleagues in Sponsored Programs who will be helping the applicant submit the grant. It's a win-win-win (for the applicant, reviewer, and Office of Research)!
