Universitywide Scholarly and Creative Activity Planning
The University of Idaho Office of Research and Economic Development began a strategic planning process in fall 2015 to define the role of research, scholarly and creative activities in achieving the university’s mission; identify existing and potential areas of excellence; and assess the university’s capacity to address these areas.
The plan seeks to increase UI’s scholarly and creative activity capacity and relevance, leading to new knowledge and new solutions and developing “ideas that matter” to Idaho, the region and the world. It will integrate with the university’s overall strategic plan.
The open, data-supported planning process involved faculty, staff, students and partners, led by a universitywide ad hoc committee.
The committee was tasked with identifying themes of scholarship in which the university might invest through faculty hiring and improving infrastructure. As part of this, the committee developed ways to promote scholarly and creative activity within and among disciplines at UI and identify barriers to scholarly excellence.
The committee completed their report in spring 2015. Download the report.
To learn about the planning process in more detail, view former Vice President for Research and Economic Development Jack McIver’s presentation from Oct. 14, 2015.
Distinguished Professor Larry Forney and College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences Dean Andy Kersten co-chair the scholarly and creative activity planning committee.
The committee is charged with developing a list of current and potential strengths; assessing capacity in faculty strength, collaboration potential and infrastructure; identifying barriers; providing metrics; and summarizing findings and recommendations. The committee has sought input from all deans and other members of university leadership and will submit its recommendations to the Vice President for Research and Economic Development in mid-April.
Brad Fenwick of Elsevier Research Intelligence is working with the committee by providing data and intelligence about research capabilities.
The committee includes faculty at all ranks and from all colleges, as well as staff from key university programs, including:
- Lilian Alessa
- Nilsa Bosque-Perez
- Daniel Bukvich
- Elizabeth Cassel
- Rajal Cohen
- Elizabeth Cooper
- Barb Cosens
- Raymond Dacey
- Sanford Eigenbrode
- Matt Foss
- Debbie Hornbuckle
- Daniel Johnson
- Susie Johnson
- Jeremy Kenyon
- Sarah Koerber
- Samantha Ramsay
- Barrie Robison
- Cathy Roheim
- Deb Shaver
- Scott Slovic
- Alistair Smith
- Vivek Utgikar
- Margaret Vaughn
- Lisette Waits
- Marty Ytreberg
In summer 2015, Elsevier Research Intelligence conducted a preliminary study of University of Idaho research publications.
Brad Fenwick, senior vice president for Global Strategic Alliances at Elsevier, explained the results with a presentation that describes Elsevier’s methods and includes data about UI’s publication portfolio, dedicated and emerging research strengths, and successful collaborations.