Research Innovation as a Pathway to the Future Merrill Series on The Research Mission of Public Universities A compilation of papers originally presented at a retreat sponsored by The Merrill Advanced Studies Center July 2015 Mabel L. Rice, Editor Technical editor: Evelyn Haaheim MASC Report No. 119 The University of Kansas © 2015 The University of Kansas Merrill Advanced Studies Center or individual author ii TABLE OF CONTENTS MASC Report No. 119 Introduction Mabel L. Rice ..................................................................................................................... vi Director, Merrill Advanced Studies Center, the University of Kansas Executive summary ......................................................................................................... viii Keynote address Ruth Watkins .................................................................................................................... 1 Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the University of Utah Fulfilling our Promise in the 21st Century: Integrating Scholarship, Education and Innovation Panel 1: Researchers Alexandra Thomas.......................................................................................................... 7 University of Iowa Reinforcing the Translational Bridge: Realizing the True Promise of Research Innovations Hinrich Staecker ............................................................................................................. 11 University of Kansas Medical Center Building a translational research program in Neurotology at University of Kansas Medical Center Panel 2: Research Administrator Richard Barohn ............................................................................................................... 15 University of Kansas Medical Center Barriers to Clinical and Translational Research & Challenges of Investigator Initiated Multi-Center Clinical Trials Panel 3: Researchers Shane Farritor .................................................................................................................. 25 University of Nebraska Nebraska Innovation Studio: A University-Based Makerspace Mary Rezac ........................................................................................................................ 31 Kansas State University Creating and Sustaining Interdisciplinary Research Groups Panel 4: Research Administrators Don Steeples ..................................................................................................................... 37 University of Kansas Cuts and Guts: Public University Budget Hemorrhages iii Daniel Reed ....................................................................................................................... 43 University of Iowa The American Research University and the Iowa Experience Panel 5: Researchers and Research Administrators Neal Kingston .................................................................................................................. 51 University of Kansas Shifting the Paradigm of Large-Scale Achievement Assessment or, Help! I’m Lost; Does Anyone Have a Map? Christopher Morphew ................................................................................................ 58 University of Iowa The Trouble (and Opportunities) With Ed Schools in the Research University Steve Goddard ................................................................................................................ 62 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Social & Behavioral Sciences Research: Is now the time to invest? LIST OF PARTICIPANTS and CREDENTIALS ..................................................... 73 iv Introduction Mabel Rice The Fred and Virginia Merrill Distinguished Professor of Advanced Studies and Director, Merrill Advanced Studies Center, the University of Kansas he following papers each address an aspect of the subject of the nineteenth annual research policy retreat hosted by the Merrill Center: Research T Innovations as a Pathway to the Future. We are pleased to continue this program that brings together University administrators and researcher-scientists for informal discussions that lead to the identification of pressing issues, understanding of different perspectives, and the creation of plans of action to enhance research productivity within our institutions. This year, our retreat explored the subject of research innovation and the ways that innovation can forge a pathway to the future. Our keynote speaker for the event Iowa and Nebraska attended the 2015 re- was Dr. Ruth Watkins, Provost and Sen- treat. Though not all discussants’ re- ior Vice President for Academic Affairs at marks are individually documented, the University of Utah. In her presenta- their participation was an essential ingre- tion she approached the topic of innova- dient in the general discussions that en- tion within the context of scholarship and sued and the preparation of the final pa- education, and how the three can be inte- pers. The list of all conference attendees grated in order to fulfill our promise in is at the end of the publication. the 21st century. The inaugural event in this series of Benefactors Virginia and Fred Mer- conferences, in 1997, focused on pres- rill make possible this series of retreats: sures that hinder the research mission of The Research Mission of Public Universi- higher education. In 1998, we turned our ties. On behalf of the many participants attention to competing for new resources over more than a decade, I express deep and to ways to enhance individual and gratitude to the Merrills for their enlight- collective productivity. In 1999, we exam- ened support. On behalf of the Merrill ined in more depth cross-university alli- Advanced Studies Center, I extend my ances. The focus of the 2000 retreat was appreciation for the contribution of effort on making research a part of the public and time of the participants and in partic- agenda and championing the cause of re- ular to the authors of this collection of pa- search as a valuable state resource. In pers who found time in their busy sched- 2001, the topic was evaluating research ules for the preparation of the materials productivity, with a focus on the very im- that follow. portant National Research Council Eighteen senior administrators and (NRC) study from 1995. In the wake of faculty from five institutions in Kansas, 9/11, the topic for 2002 was “Science at a v Time of National Emergency”; partici- issues of international research collabora- pants discussed scientists coming to the tion. The 2009 retreat highlighted re- aid of the country, such as in joint re- gional research collaborations, with dis- search on preventing and mitigating bio- cussion of the many advantages and con- terrorism, while also recognizing the dif- cerns associated with regional alliances. ficulties our universities face because of The 2010 retreat focused on the chal- increased security measures. In 2003 we lenges regional Universities face in the ef- focused on graduate education and two fort to sustain and enhance their research keynote speakers addressed key issues missions, while the 2011 retreat outlined about retention of students in the doc- the role of Behavioral and Social sciences toral track, efficiency in time to degree, in national research initiatives. Our 2012 and making the rules of the game trans- retreat discussed the present and future parent. In 2004 we looked at the leader- information infrastructure required for ship challenge of a comprehensive public research success in universities, and the university to accommodate the fluid na- economic implications of that infrastruc- ture of scientific initiatives to the world of ture, and the 2013 retreat discussed the long-term planning for the teaching and increasing use of data analysis in Univer- service missions of the universities. In sity planning processes, and the impact it 2005 we discussed the interface of science has on higher education and research. and public policy with an eye toward The 2014 retreat looked at the current how to move forward in a way that hon- funding environment and approaches ors both public trust and scientific integ- which could be used to improve future rity. Our retreat in 2006 considered the funding prospects. privatization of public universities and Once again, the texts of this year’s the corresponding shift in research fund- Merrill white paper reveal various per- ing and infrastructure. The 2007 retreat spectives on only one of the many com- focused on the changing climate of re- plex issues faced by research administra- search funding, the development of Uni- tors and scientists every day. It is with versity research resources, and how to pleasure that I encourage you to read the calibrate those resources with likely papers from the 2015 Merrill policy re- sources of funding, while the 2008 retreat treat on Research Innovations as a Pathway dealt with the many benefits and specific to the Future. vi Executive summary Fulfilling our Promise in the 21st Century: Integrating Scholarship, Education and Innovation Ruth Watkins, Provost and Senior Vice President, University of Utah • Public research universities are powerful institutions. We have a central role in the genera- tion and dissemination of knowledge, and our work shapes and reflects the priorities of society. We strive to prepare lifelong learners capable of thriving in the multiple careers they will likely pursue. We have the unique role of preparing future scholars who will