Integrated Approaches for Supporting Academic Research: Models that Reveal the Future while Promoting Success

Abstract

Research models and practices change rapidly. While evidence of such changes includes cross-campus collaborations and multi-authored scholarship, faculty development opportunities also signal what is to come. In this case study, authors representing diverse disciplines examine what faculty development programs reveal about the future of academic research. The authors offer an analysis of faculty support programs across the country as a foundation, and then provide an examination of initiatives in place at their four-year regional comprehensive institution in the United States. The authors then report on the outcomes of these programs for research productivity, with a focus on opportunities that were available to all faculty across the university. Finally, the authors offer perspective on the future of academic research based on findings from examining these programs. The authors suggest that the future of research will focus on (1) collaborative design(s) of research-related support, (2) support structures and programs that encourage and facilitate cross-campus and interdisciplinary research collaborations and sharing, (3) incentive for integrating areas of research with teaching and service, and relatedly (4) programs that encourage faculty to span academic research with industry or community partnerships and collaborations, especially ones that can generate revenue or produce future research, development, or funding streams.

Citation

Carpenter, R., Gore, J., O’Brien, S., Fairchild, J. and Winslow, M. (2021), "Integrated Approaches for Supporting Academic Research: Models that Reveal the Future while Promoting Success", Sengupta, E. and Blessinger, P. (Ed.) International Perspectives on Emerging Trends and Integrating Research-based Learning across the Curriculum (Innovations in Higher Education Teaching and Learning, Vol. 36), Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 47-68. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2055-364120210000036005