Research Support Sessions

Research Support Sessions provide information on the research priorities at SFU and the various research support resources available. These sessions are primarily intended for new research faculty, though other research staff, administrators and experienced faculty members are also encouraged to attend.

Sessions will be held twice a year: once from October to December in the Fall Term, and again from February to April in the Spring Term. Stay-tuned for updates to the offerings.

For more information, please contact Clare Zheng.

Current Session Offerings

Offerings and session details are listed below. Participants are welcome to attend all sessions or select any numbers of individual sessions to attend based on their interests and needs.

October Offerings

Procurement 101 - SFU Procurement office

The Basics of acquiring goods and services at SFU

Date/Time: October 7 (Wed) 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Location: Online via Zoom
Speakers include:
Laura Simonsen - Major Procurement Contracts Officer
Eric Sheng - Major Procurement Contracts Officer
Lisa Mulschlegel - Procurement Services Assistant
Rita Narovlyansky - Coordinator, Procurement Programs

Supporting Research Employment [for faculty members only]

This session outlines the essentials for hiring research personnel (i.e. RAs, Postdoctoral fellows) and details the support services offered by the Research People Team to guide you through the process.

*This session is only suitable for faculty members.

Date/Time: October 14 (Wed) 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Location: Online via Zoom (links will only be provided to those who have registered)
Speaker: Tia Gramuglia, HR Strategic Business Partner

Research Facilities Showcase - Reps from research facilities from across SFU

Maybe you don't have to buy that mass spec or 3D printer. Many of the cutting-edge research facilities across SFU are available for use by SFU researchers. The institution also supports 7 Core Facilities that are managed for multiple use. Come join reps from each Core, from the Faculties and from a expended number of specific labs at a *trade show style event.

* This event is ran as a part of SFU Innovation Week 2026

Date/Time: October 15 (Thu) 12:15pm - 2:00pm
Location: In Person @ Burnaby ASB Atrium

Research Ethics & Security Procedures - Research Ethics & Security Office

This back-to-back session will provide an overview of Research Ethics principles and the submission process at SFU, followed by a guide to Research Security policies and procedures for safeguarding your work from unwanted access, interference, or theft.

Date/Time: October 20 (Tue) 11:30am - 1:30pm
Location: Online Via Zoom
Speakers include:
Kim Lajoie - Manager, Research Ethics Board
Derek Buhr - Research Security Advisor

November Offerings

Research Finance 101 - Research Accounting & Financial Services

This session will cover the basics of SFU's financial systems, including how to complete expense claims in FINS, navigate FAST reports, understand grant balances, and address common payroll challenges such as submitting PAFs.

Date/Time: November 5 (Thu) TBD
Location: Online via Zoom
Speakers include:
Sarah Lee – Director, Financial Services
Winston Chen - Senior Financial Analyst

Research Development and management - Institutional Strategic Awards (ISA)

Overview of central support for pre-award proposal development, post-award project management, limited submission opportunities, institutional commitments, and letters of support.

Date/Time: November 18 (Wed) 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Location: Online via Zoom
peakers include:
Diane Hanano- Director of ISA
Javier Tavitas - Associate Director, Research Development
Kimberly Sivak - Associate Director, Research Management

International Collaborations and Research Opportunities

Overview of SFU’s global priorities and footprint, support available for international partnership-building, and funding tools for research and innovation.

Date/Time: TBD
Location: Online via Zoom
Speakers include:
- Carol Zachs - Senior Director of SFU International
- Diane Hanano - Director of ISA

Research Grants & Contracts - Research Services (ORS)

Description of SFU processes for how to apply for and manage research funds in the form of grants and contracts.