Latest Research Policy Updates with COSSA & COGR
July 28, 2025 | 2:00 pm-3:00 pm EDT
- Virtual
July 28, 2025 | 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EDT
On July 28, COSSA hosted the recent installment in the Headlines Webinar series. This month’s meeting featured a discussion with research policy experts from COGR on topics like indirect costs, research compliance, and other timely developments impacting the social and behavioral science community.
Featured speakers:
Krystal Toups is the Director for Contracts & Grants Administration at COGR. She leads COGR’s research policy efforts related to the administration of sponsored research from proposal preparation and submission to terms and conditions of awards, monitoring the regulatory landscape. Prior to joining COGR, Krystal served as the Assistant Vice Provost for Sponsored Projects and Research Compliance at Rice University leading the university’s operations for pre-award administration (e.g., grants and contracts) and research compliance (e.g., COI, export controls, IRB, IACUC, IBC/SCRO). Before Rice, Krystal worked at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in various pre-award capacities including leading pre-award administration as the Director for Grants. She has over 17 years of experience in Research Administration including management, strategic planning, business development, process improvement, policy research and development, grants and contracts, research compliance, and accounting and finance. She is a Certified Research Administrator (CRA) received in 2011, holds a certificate in Public Health from UTHealth, a B.S. from Xavier University in Louisiana, and an Executive MBA from Texas Woman’s University. Connect with Krystal on LinkedIn.
Kristin (Kris) West, JD, MS, is the Director for Research Compliance and Ethics at the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR). She provides analysis and guidance on a range of research compliance topics including human and animal research, conflicts of interest, biosafety, research security, and conflicts of interest. COGR is an association of over 225 research-intensive universities, colleges, independent research institutions, and health care institutions that supports its members in the areas of research administration, compliance, financial oversight, and intellectual property. We focus on the impact of federal regulations, policies, and practices on the performance of research conducted at our member institutions and advocate for sound, efficient, and effective regulation that safeguards research and minimizes administrative and cost burdens. Prior to joining COGR, Ms. West worked for Emory University for many years, first as Senior Associate General Counsel and later as Chief Compliance Officer.
Cindy Hope is the Director for Costing & Financial Compliance (CFC) and leads COGR’s efforts to address federal policies impacting financial management of research programs. Prior to joining COGR, Cindy served as Associate VP for Research Administration at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Assistant VP for Research at The University of Alabama, Assistant Controller and Indirect Cost Specialist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and audit associate at Coopers and Lybrand, now PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she participated in and led engagements of various University Federal (Single Audit) and Financial Statement audits. Cindy has over 25 years of research administration experience and has served as chair for the COGR Costing Policies Committee (now CFC) and for the Federal Demonstration Partnership. She is a CPA (inactive) and holds a BS degree in Accounting and a BA degree in Psychology from The University of Alabama. Connect with Cindy on LinkedIn.
Headlines: A monthly look at what’s new and noteworthy in social science policy is a monthly webinar exclusively for COSSA members to learn about the latest policy and funding developments impacting social science research. The COSSA team, joined by periodic special guests, will take you behind the headlines and explain what you need to know. We are excited to offer this interactive space where you can get the policy-related information you need when you need it. Not a member? Learn more about how your association or university can join COSSA here.