Project Support
Coordinating Initiatives. Delivering Results
The Project Management & Support team, within Strategic Optimization and Training (SOT), provides coordinated project support and solution development across Emory Research. By connecting people, processes, and technology, the team helps advance operational priorities and strengthen how research administration work is designed, implemented, and improved.
To deliver structured, results-oriented project management and implementation support that advances strategic initiatives, improves processes, and enables practical technology solutions across Emory Research.To be a trusted partner across Emory Research, known for dependable execution, thoughtful solution development, and meaningful contributions that enhance research administration operations.Our work is grounded in accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We value clear communication, responsive partnership, and data-informed decision-making in every initiative we support. Through this approach, we deliver practical, sustainable solutions that align with institutional goals and support the needs of the research community.
Up & Coming Events
Learn more about and register for upcoming events below.
The SOT Spring Training Conference is one of Strategic Operations & Training's most anticipated events of the year. Designed in the spirit of our commitment to operational excellence, this conference brings together research administrators from across Emory University for a day of targeted, practical training rooted in the real challenges and opportunities of sponsored research.
Join the Project Support team for a live walkthrough of the ORA Virtual Assistant and the new ORA Success Coach. See how AI tools are transforming research administration support at Emory — with hands-on Q&A included.
Curious about the ORA Virtual Assistant but not sure what it can actually do? This live demo session pulls back the curtain. Join us for a real-time walkthrough of ORA's AI-powered assistant — built specifically to support the Emory research administration community with fast, reliable answers to common sponsored research questions.
Watch as our team demonstrates live interactions with the assistant, shows how it navigates complex queries, and explains the thinking behind how it was built. You'll also have the chance to submit your own questions and see how the assistant responds in the moment.
Session highlights:
- Live Q&A interaction with the ORA Virtual Assistant
- Overview of the topics and knowledge areas it covers
- How to access and use it in your day-to-day work
- What's coming next as the tool continues to evolve
Ideal for: Anyone who wants to see AI in action before diving into the hands-on bootcamp session — or who simply wants to know what the ORA Virtual Assistant can do for them.
This hands-on bootcamp session introduces ORA staff and research administrators to the fundamentals of AI literacy and prompt engineering — with a direct focus on getting the most out of the ORA Virtual Assistant. Participants will learn how to ask better questions, interpret AI responses critically, and apply prompting strategies to real ORA workflows including award management, compliance inquiries, and sponsor guidance lookups.
What you'll learn:
- What the ORA Virtual Assistant can and cannot do
- How to write clear, specific prompts that return useful results
- Common prompting mistakes and how to avoid them
- When to trust the AI — and when to escalate to a human
Who should attend: ORA staff, department administrators, and anyone who interacts with sponsored research processes.
Format: Live instructor-led session | 60–90 minutes
AI & Technology Projects
AI-powered tools, automation, and digital solutions we are building and deploying to modernize research administration support across Emory University.
ORA Virtual Assistant
AI-powered chat-bot providing 24/7 instant answers on ORA policies, grant processes, compliance questions, and research administration guidance for staff and researchers.
ORA Success Coach
A guided AI companion helping research administrators navigate SOT resources, locate training materials, and build professional competency over time.
Agentic AI Workflow Automation
Power Automate workflows enable intelligent automation of award setup, approval routing, and compliance documentation across research administration, reducing manual effort, minimizing errors, and improving efficiency and consistency.
Reporting & Analytics Dashboard
Interactive Power BI dashboards providing real-time visibility into grant portfolios and operational metrics for ORA leadership and administrators.
AI Literacy & Copilot Training
Workshops, prompt clinics, and self-paced modules building AI fluency for ORA staff — covering Microsoft Copilot and responsible AI use in research administration.
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Social Media & Content Management
Manages Emory Research Administration external voice , writing and publishing LinkedIn content, newsletters, event promotions, banners, and announcements that keep staff and the broader professional community informed about what SOT is doing.
Visit SOT's Linkedin