STRATEGIC PRIORITY 3: Research Advancement

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 3:

Research Advancement

We will enhance the research infrastructure, so faculty and staff are able to rigorously advance empirical research that impacts the social work knowledge base. We will function as one unit and break down the research/academic walls by collaborating and utilizing research in the classroom when possible. We will be champions in innovative and researched solutions.

GOAL 1: Provide support and resources for School of Social Welfare researchers to develop strong, competitive proposals to rigorously advance empirical research and be leaders among our peers in innovative research.

ACTIONS

Expand internal research development support for applying for and securing external funding • Development and continual update of KUSSW research toolbox folder with templates and examples Application process for University General Research Funds • Internal funding (GRF and RDF) to continue • Research Orientation for new staff to go along with current research mentor group • Implementation of internal review procedures for newly funded grants/contracts Update and develop policies and procedures that relate to research activities within the School • Development of PI and GRA contracts outlining roles and expectations • Development of PI Training • Review & revision of Staff PI annual evaluation form • Explore implementation of PI research contracts • Further refining of research metrics for the School, as needed • Introduce new GRA Orientation materials • Review and revision of school buyout policy (i.e. how much it costs) Continued growth of funded research/diversify research funding • Dedicated resources to discover and help implement alternative funding option under the Research Office • Hiring 0.5 FTE research assistant • Development of the Research Council • Advancement activities to raise funding for scholarships and endowed professorship • Class of ?? Scholarship Goal – challenge each other with one member matching total gifts • Internal research development funds • Launch KU donor campaign in honor of Dr. Andrew Zinn to support research efforts Improve internal Grant Management Support available to researchers after securing external funding • Development of Pre & Post-Award flow charts for the School and incorporating these charts into standard research procedures • Grant implementation meetings (PI Kick-Off) for all newly funded projects (includes PI, ADR, School Business Director,

Research Manager) • Implement end-of-year survey to gather feedback about the effectiveness of this office thus far • Create flowcharts and other visuals for research policy items of interest, as needed • Monthly Research Office meetings with SSC research staff • School review of proposals before submission • School Business Manager serving as Research Compliance Officer • What to do when you are experiencing project challenges meetings

GOAL 2: Build awareness and understanding among our peers and community leaders that the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare is a partner who collaboratively uses research to ask and answer tough questions when creating societal changes that improve lives and communities.

ACTIONS • Detailed event plan established a year in advance including Research Impact Talks, Meet and Greets, Social Work Day/End of the year conference, Research Office project events, Center for Community Engagement & Collaboration, Anniversary celebrations highlighting School milestones such as 30th anniversary of Strengths Perspective and 75th anniversary of the MSW Program • School Associate Dean for Research attendance at KU Office of Research meetings • Seven research clusters designed to foster an integrated and inclusive environment • Summarize research findings to easily show the public the economic and social impact it has on our communities • 30th anniversary of the Strengths Perspective campaign • Work with Center for Public Partnerships and Research to develop a monthly research highlight • Create research highlight web pages • Update communications and collateral materials to highlight this impact • Tracking annual research metrics • Create research spotlights on specific topic or project across all mediums (social media, website, email blasts, etc) • Annual Research Highlights publication to be created and distributed • Use and promote the use of KU ScholarWorks for published journal articles • Create and distribute conference presentation highlights • Faculty and Researcher Highlight accordion brochure • Incorporating Grand Challenges into faculty and researcher highlights