Taking Initiative

Research centers and institutes are spectacular academic hubs. Within these spaces, creative ideas and innovation generate new knowledge and information. Faculty from across disciplines interact in these places, joining knowledge and ways of knowing into new ideas that transform the world as we know it. Middle Tennessee State University has a host of centers and institutes with various foci, missions, and visions.

Within this issue we open the oysters that are our research centers and institutes to see what is happening within and hear stories, “pearls of wisdom,” about the results incubated by our faculty, staff, and students. As MTSU continues to grow its research presence in greater Nashville and middle Tennessee, we anticipate developing more centers and institutes that connect the research capabilities of our great faculty with that of the research and development needs of private and public sectors. This parallels our efforts as a public university and our new earned status as a Carnegie R2 High Research Activity University.

Supporting our elevation to R2, many of our metrics improved in 2020–21, including 156 proposals and 64 new awards to principal investigators across campus. These awards exceeded $13.2 million in extramural funding, while research funding reached $5.1 million.

David Butler, MTSU vice provost for research and dean of the College of Graduate Studies

The more research centers and institutes we create, the more extremely precious gems of knowledge we can produce to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Tennessee. We strive towards a sustained effort of research productivity and growth as a public university serving middle Tennessee.

David Butler, Vice Provost for Research and Dean, College of Graduate Studies