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How Portland State University improved research visibility and eliminated shadow systems
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How Portland State University improved research visibility and eliminated shadow systems

Without a centralized research administration system, Portland State University relied on shadow systems, individual tracking methods, and manual communication to keep research moving. By implementing Kuali Research, the university gained greater transparency, automated workflows, and a connected view of research operations across the institution.

"Kuali helped us show people where we are in a certain process—whether something is in the approval process or the review process. If we're waiting for something from them, it can send automatic reminders and notices."
Dawn Boatman
Assistant Vice President for Research Administration | Portland State University
Institutional Overview
Location:

Portland, Oregon

Institution type:

Public research university

Students:

Approximately 22,000 students

Solutions:

Kuali Research – Sponsored Programs

Research Compliance

Workflow Automation

The Challenge

Limited Visibility Across Research Operations

Before implementing Kuali Research, Portland State University relied on spreadsheets, personal notes, and disconnected tracking methods to manage research administration. Without a centralized system, it was difficult to maintain consistency across teams, provide transparency to faculty, or understand where proposals and compliance reviews stood in the process.

The Solution

One Connected Platform for Research Administration

Portland State University implemented Kuali Research to centralize research administration workflows and eliminate disconnected tracking systems. Automated workflows now provide real-time visibility into proposal approvals and compliance reviews, while reminders and notifications keep researchers and administrators informed without relying on manual follow-up. Rather than managing multiple spreadsheets and email chains, the university now has a single platform that supports transparency across the entire research lifecycle.

The Results

Greater Transparency. Better Decisions.

Today, Portland State University has a more connected view of research administration. Administrators spend less time tracking information manually, faculty have greater visibility into the status of their requests, and institutional leaders can monitor research operations from a single, comprehensive view.

  • Eliminated shadow systems and duplicate tracking spreadsheets
  • Increased transparency for administrators, leadership, and faculty
  • Automated reminders and workflow notifications
  • Reduced manual email communication
  • Gained a holistic view of research operations across the institution For Portland State University, the value of Kuali extends beyond the platform itself. The team appreciates working with experts who understand the complexities of research administration and provide guidance to help improve institutional processes.

One platform. One source of truth. Every office on campus.

Discover how Kuali connects the work behind administration, research, compliance, IT, and more.

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