Developing A Research Portfolio

A Darwinian Approach

March 14, 2007

Charlotte (Toby) TateDean

Darwin says:

Survival of the fittest for research:

Situate the individual in a supportive environment with just enough pressures for success….

Environment of the Research Scientist

Darwin meets Dr. Westie Jake

Westhighland Jake, PhD

Pedigree: degrees from major research universities

Stages of Dr. Jake’s Academic Career

Launch: independent scientist

Emergence: scientist/administrator

Convergence: administrator

Dr. Jake’s Personal Characteristics

•Critical thinker•Clever•Risk taker•Excellent communicator•Independent, yet collaborative•Isn’t afraid of failure

Dr. Jake’s Professional Attributes

•Published or close to publishing•Focused on one area within expertise•Pushes the boundaries of knowledge•Likely to develop an independent, sustainable scientific career •Will train the next generation of scientists

Stages of Dr. Jake’s Academic Career

Launch: independent scientist

Emergence: scientist/administrator

Convergence: administrator

Front runner:Marathon

Out of the blue, a

major university calls:

We like your research.

Come for a visit.

Metamessage: We’re not serious

X

X

They said… Jake thought….

Start up funds? Institutional investment?

I don’t think so.

MajorResearchUniversity

The next place that called….

Already constructed research labs

Start up funds? Institutional investment?

•Start up funds appropriate to methods•Grants management infrastructure•Grant proposal development support•Secretarial/IT support•Core facilities (dept/college/campus)

Clusters of research strength

Mentoring at each stage of career

X

X

They said in time… Jake thought, cool.

A good place!

Benchmarks for successHigh but reachable

Jake

P&T

Yes!

Dr. Jake becomes the Sage on the Stage

A few….

Jake

Achieved!

Stages of Dr. Jake’s Academic Career

Launch: independent scientist

Emergence: scientist/administrator

Convergence: administrator

Front runner:Ultra-marathon

Dr. Jake as Academic Dept. Chair

Dean’s goal: increase research $$

Evolution of theacademic tribe:

Individual by individual

Departmental Faculty

Some were….

Others were…

And some were…unfortunately.

Never try to teach a pig to sing;it wastes your time andannoys the pig.

Differential Faculty Workload:Built on strengths, not weaknesses

Hired young scientists into an environment of success

Result:

Grants

Everyone headed in the same direction

Stages of Dr. Jake’s Academic Career

Launch: independent scientist

Emergence: scientist/administrator

Convergence: administrator

Front runner:Iron-man

Dr. Jake as Academic Dept. Chair

Dean’s goal: increase research $$

//////////////////// Dean

/////////////Provost’s

Evolution of theacademic community:

Tribe by tribe

Sailing silos…..

Department chairs…key to success

Start up funds? Institutional investment?

•Start up funds appropriate to methods•Grants management infrastructure•Grant proposal development support•Secretarial/IT support•Core facilities (dept/college/campus)

Musculoskeletal Biomechanics LaboratoryRenovated laboratories….

Hired young scientists into an environment of success

Result:

Grants

External Grant ExpendituresUIC College of Applied Sciences

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

FY00 FY03 FY06

FED

Non-FED

External Grant Expenditures, $M

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

FY06

BHIS 2

DHD 14

HN 4

MVSC 4

OT 6

PT 4

Evolution of a research intensive college:

Bird by bird*

Flock by flock

Right environment

*in honor of Darwin’s finches