Joshua Weiner
Associate Dean for Research
Goal 1: Infuse the research mission with renewed energy and vitality
- Strategy 1: Enhance investment in faculty development and productivity
- Strategy 2: Promote a culture of discovery and creativity
Goal 2: Enhance the research visibility of the college
- Strategy 1: Invest in existing and emerging areas of strength
- Strategy 2: Increase the number of research grants and fellowships awarded to faculty, staff, and students
- Strategy 3: Harness the collective strength of units that can make a cross-disciplinary research impact
Year One Progress
- CLAS Data Team developed and deployed comprehensive data dashboards to all DEOs and departmental administrators
- Record high $144M in CLAS grant proposals, with $72M in grant awards
- Hired Grant Support Office director and several new staff
- Deployed CLAS renovation and equipment funds for strategic investment in performing arts, social sciences, and natural sciences
- Increased indirect cost return to grant-receiving departments; changed from fixed amount to percentage of funds generated
- Successfully advocated for increased central UI support for strategic areas
- Inaugurated twice-per-semester “Research Dinner” events to bring together small groups of CLAS faculty for fellowship, connections, and feedback
- Requested and obtained new support for Performance/Exhibition Subventions from Office of Vice President for Research
- Co-led the development of the UI 2022-2027 Strategic Plan Research and Creative Discovery section; infrastructure priorities critical for CLAS programs are highlighted as foci in the plan
- Developed comprehensive CLAS ten-year facilities plan with UI Campus Planning and communicated to CLAS leadership, faculty, and staff
- Two brand new CLAS buildings: Non-Fiction Writing Program Building nearing completion, West Campus Academic Building being planned to house Health and Human Physiology and Communication Sciences and Disorders
- Began discussions within each discipline towards defining and measuring faculty research activity
- Started a new BTAA Associate Deans for Research group and facilitated two meetings per semester
Year Two Priorities
- Increase capacity of the Grant Support Office to improve departmental coverage and grow services
- Develop improved strategies for tracking and quantifying CLAS undergraduate research experiences
- Identify and assess possible replacements for the APR to ensure fair faculty assessment and collection of College-level metrics
- Utilize new BTAA Associate Deans for Research group to explore best practices for improving research funding, building interdisciplinary strengths, and enhancing faculty productivity
- Continue to utilize CLAS resources and partnerships with campus partners to make substantial improvements to our research infrastructure
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Assist with implementation of the UI 2022-2027 Strategic Plan to ensure that top CLAS programs are identified and prioritized
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Continue discussions with CLAS faculty to identify and support emerging research strengths
