Several dozen UGA faculty members converged at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel on Nov. 20 for a daylong conversation about how to propel UGA’s research enterprise to the next level of its growth and evolution.
The second annual Research Summit, “Inquiring into the Nature of Things: Convergence and Divergence in a Dynamic Research Landscape,” represented an opportunity for some of UGA’s most research-engaged faculty to wrestle with the challenges facing the research enterprise and offer their input for charting the best path forward. The summit was co-sponsored by the Office of Research and the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.
“This event not only celebrates UGA’s strengths but will create lasting impact on the UGA research enterprise by identifying opportunities for accelerating interdisciplinary research,” said Benjamin C. Ayers, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “Interdisciplinary research is more than simply combining different disciplines — it is a dynamic and evolving process that integrates knowledge, methods and perspectives to develop a new understanding of a problem. The complex challenges facing our society require this multifaceted approach.
“I am proud that faculty at UGA have embraced this spirit of collaboration in their drive to develop new knowledge and uncover new solutions.”
Following less than a year after the first Research Summit was held in April (future events will be held each fall), the event followed a consistent format of presentations followed by brief brainstorming sessions. UGA leaders and experts presented on such topics as the Innovation District, research “Creative Collisions” and other matchmaking events held this year, Public Service and Outreach and the research opportunities it can offer, incorporating the arts and humanities into research, and more.
“The energy in the room was exceptional,” said Jessica Muilenburg, associate vice president for research and professor in the College of Public Health. “We had productive sessions exploring strategies to address key issues affecting faculty, including well-being, mentoring and engagement opportunities. Many of us connected with faculty we can work with and learn from in the future.”
Muilenburg and Nate Nibbelink, associate vice president for research and professor in the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, were the summit’s lead organizers.
Among the many takeaways from the summit, Muilenburg said, were requests from faculty to build project-management capacity among research-related personnel, to come up with new and creative ways to recognize and reward interdisciplinary work, and to streamline research-related communications. She and her Office of Research colleagues will take these ideas and work with partners around campus, including in the provost’s office, to address the underlying concerns.
“Now, more than ever, is a time to bring people together and embrace our collaborative spirit,” said interim Vice President for Research Chris King in his welcoming remarks. “Many of the spring summit recommendations have been key in our efforts to develop new programming to help us sustain our progress and momentum as a research institution, and I’m confident this summit will do the same.”
