Dr. Christopher J. KeaneVice President for ResearchProfessor of Physicschris.keane@wsu.edu

Overview of the “120-day Study” on the WSU Research Enterprise

WSU Town Hall MeetingFSHN T101December 3, 2014

Safety First!1st Floor Evacuation Map

• Overview of the 120-Day Study (C. Keane)

• 120-Day website-guide to available information (D. Nordquist)

• Discussion (C. Keane, D. Nordquist, D. Bender, J. Jones, S. Pappu, S. Simasko)

Today’s agenda

WSU vision: WSU will be one of the nation’s leading land-grant universities, preeminent in research and discovery, teaching, and engagement

• WSU mission:– To advance knowledge through

creative research, innovation, and creativity...

– To extend knowledge through innovative educational programs…

– To apply knowledge through local and global engagement that will improve the quality of life and enhance the economy of the state, nation, and world…

Theme 1 of WSU Strategic Plan: “Exceptional Research, Innovation, and Creativity”

Examples of active research areas- WSU Pullman

“Smart-Grid” and “Smart City” – improved reliability Matter at extreme

conditions of pressure and temperature

Advanced food processing- shelf stable foods

Education- measurement and evaluation techniques

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Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal Health (SGAH) provides innovative solutions to global infectious disease challenges

Antimicrobial resistance in Tanzania

Human malaria and East Coast fever

Sample research projects:

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Examples of active research areas- urban campuses

Bioproducts, Sciences and Engineering Lab ( WSU Tri-Cities/PNNL)

Mt. St. Helens disturbance ecology (WSU Vancouver)

Sleep Performance Research Center (WSU Spokane)

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Where we are: WSU is 68th among US universities in research expenditures, and is ranked as a “very high research activity” university by the Carnegie Foundation

WSU National R&D Expenditure

Rankings

68th Among all Universities

11th Among R&D Expenditures

in the Agricultural Sciences

12th Among R&D Expenditures

in the Social Sciences

As reported by the most recent NSF Higher Education Research and Development Survey

(FY12).

FY11 FY12 FY130

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

GiftsInstitutionIndustryStateFederal

$ 320.5M$ 335.9M $ 341.1M

WSU Research Expenditures

A central focus of the Strategic Plan is “accelerating the development of a preeminent research portfolio”

• Plan tasks the VPR to “identify areas of research excellence and emerging areas requiring additional investment to achieve national and international prominence.”

• Addressing this task is a central goal of the “120-Day Study on the WSU Research Enterprise”

• Develop a set of “Grand Challenges” and associated prioritized research strengths reflecting future opportunities matched to current and emerging WSU capabilities

• Priorities to guide:- Research infrastructure and other investments- Execution of workshops and other activities to advance research and scholarship at WSU

• Actionable findings and recommendations, and associated metrics, in key areas to support WSU research enterprise

Key outcomes from the 120-day Study

The study supports the WSU goal of AAU membership via improvement of WSU AAU metrics.

• Grand Challenges are ambitious but achievable goals that harness WSU and partner research, scholarly and creative capabilities to solve important national or global problems and that have the potential to capture the public’s imagination

Definition of “Grand Challenge”

WSU Grand Challenges must beinspirational, multidisciplinary, and inclusive

WSU Grand Challenges Research Themes draw on University research strengths and require a supportive University environment

Grand Challenges Theme

Grand Challenges Theme

Institutional Research Strengths

UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENTResearch, Scholarship, Creativity, Education, Student Experience,

Outreach and Engagement

Co-Chairs: C. Keane, D. Bernardo

120-day Study Organization/Team

ExecutiveReview Group (Deans, Vice-Chancellors, senior faculty, other WSU leaders)

Management and Integration

Assoc. Deans for Research, Urban Campuses, Office of Research staff

Faculty and Student Engagement/Productivity(Co-Chairs: R. Craft, J. Jones)

Research Infrastructure(Co-Chairs: S. Clark, S. Simasko)

Research Themes(Co-Chairs: D. Bender, T. Spencer)

Outreach, Engagement, and Economic Development(Co-Chairs: S. Pappu, J. Tang)

The 120-Day Study “Day 1 Kick-off” event was held Sept. 16, 2014

Strong participation by the University

community is appreciated

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1st Full Group Meeting

9/16/14 (“T=1”)

3nd Full Group Meeting

12/2/14

Facilitated “Grand Challenge” meetings

12/15/14 and 1/16/15

Draft Report 1/30/15

(“T=120+ 2 weeks”)

Preparation

Completion of draft report other than “Grand Challenges”

October 22, 2014: 2nd large group meeting- Study Status report

Schedule for 120-Day Study

“Kick-off” meeting

Subgroups brief initial conclusions, findings, and recommendations

Note: “1-time” infrastructure funds (at least $100K) to be distributed via mechanism discussed by Research Infrastructure group

• Strong involvement from the University community- over 20 subgroup meetings held and >100 website inputs

• Initial set of research strengths and “Grand Challenges” determined

• Process for management of university research infrastructure developed

• Specific recommendations for advancing professional development of faculty and trainees

• Specific recommendations to improve outreach, engagement, and visibility of WSU research

Highlights of progress to date

The 120-Day Study Team welcomes your input- we’re here to listen and answer questions!

Thank you for your attention!