“The most rewarding—and often the most challenging—part of my role is helping colleagues find the right path to achieve their research goals.”
As Research Administrator at McGill University’s 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.
“Our Faculty’s expertise spans a remarkable range—from civil, common law and Indigenous legal traditions, to health, ethics, criminal law, science and innovation, and human rights. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to research funding.”
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 McGill’s Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation.
“Our colleagues at Research and Innovation bring outstanding expertise on specific funding programs. Once we’ve 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 requirement.”
Since stepping into her role in 2022, Scissons has made relationship-building central to her approach. The Faculty’s close-knit community allows her to know each member and their research area personally—connections that have fostered strong relationships of trust and collaboration. “We remind colleagues that the overall research program they’ll 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 doesn’t 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.”
This thoughtful, long-term perspective has yielded impressive results: McGill Law researchers consistently exceed national benchmarks in securing tri-agency funding. “One 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, we’re celebrating a full professor winning a national award recognizing a lifetime of scholarship.”
“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 – I’m happy to demystify the funding process so they can focus on doing the important work.”