Institutional Research

Produce high-quality scholarship and creative achievements throughout the University


As noted in the BGSU Academic Plan , faculty, staff, and student research and creative endeavors fuel the passion for inquiry across the learning community. Inquiry is the backbone of academic disciplines, a powerful vehicle for student learning, and a bridge between the University and society. We must continue to provide an environment that is conducive to promotion of inquiry for all members of the community at all stages of their lives.

Indicators

Reports from the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research indicate that the University’s level of sponsored grant and contract dollars awarded  has been rising over the last a few years despite the fact that the percentage of grant and contract submissions that have been awarded has decreased. 

The amount of money that the University has received from federal earmarks has varied over the years.

The Faculty Survey results reveal that the percentage of the respondents who are satisfied or very satisfied with their opportunity for scholarly pursuits at BGSU has decreased since 2001.

Achievements and Improvement Initiatives:

A Research Enhancement Initiative was created in June 2005.  This initiative provides a plan for investment of University resources in collaborative research clusters based on BGSU's strengths and strategic opportunities, especially those proposed by state activities.  These clusters expand interdisciplinary collaboration as well as enhance the institutional capacity to perform research.  The research clusters chosen for investment over the next six years were:  Molecular Photonics, Adolescent Well-Being, Comparative Neuroscience Research, Geospatial/Ecological Forecasting, and Learning Sciences.  In most cases, these investments will result in the hiring of additional faculty along with start-up funding, support for post-doctoral research personnel, and additional graduate research assistants.

The Office of Research Collaboration has been operating since Fall 2004.  It is charged with supporting collaboration among BGSU, the Medical University of Ohio, and the University of Toledo.  Its mandate is to: 1) bring people together in partnerships to increase opportunities for networking and funding, 2) build an infrastructure for collaboration, 3) develop communication avenues, and 4) educate and mentor faculty.  On September 12, 2005, the Office hosted a retreat for its inter-institutional advisory board and began a process designed to develop signature research areas for collaborative research in Northwest Ohio. 

Since its development in Fall 2003, the Office of Undergraduate Research has focused on involving an increasing number of undergraduate researchers in faculty-initiated research projects. This office brings students and faculty members together to coordinate research opportunities and to plan for presenting their research. The Awards in Support of Undergraduate Research Program funds undergraduate and creative projects; 16 awards were made to 22 undergraduates in 2006.  The Undergraduate Research Presentation Awards program funds presentations at professional conferences, exhibits, or performances; three awards were made in 2006.  The first Symposium for Undergraduate Research, showcasing the research of students from six different colleges, was held at BGSU in Spring 2005; the 2006 Symposium included 48 poster sessions from 69 undergraduates.  Students who participate in research at BGSU are encouraged to submit their findings for presentation at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research; six undergraduates were funded in 2006.  The Summer Undergraduate Research Scholars program, new in 2006 with funding for 18 students, provides scholarships to support students doing full-time research with faculty mentors during the summer.

Elementary school students at the Toledo Academy of Learning are assisted one-on-one with basic math skills by their tutors who are BGSU students in the Academic Investment in Math and Science program. The purposes of the program are to assist needy students with their academic achievements, to provide a positive learning environment through interaction with positive role models such as the AIMS scholars, to encourage students to reach their full potential, and to give college students a challenging venue to give back as they learn and grow.

The annual BGSU Research Conference creates opportunities for collaborative research and external funding. Community leaders representing regional business and industry, government, and institutions of higher education join BGSU faculty, staff and students at the conference where faculty research initiatives are showcased .

The Office of Sponsored Programs and Research has developed new methods of supporting and encouraging faculty involvement in research and sponsored program activity:

  • carefully targeted funds in niche research areas to support on-going efforts of the more established faculty
  • a variety of electronic resources to assist in the identification of funding sources
  • increased emphasis on organizing interdisciplinary projects, facilitating proposal development, assisting faculty members to develop relationships with industry, and assisting new faculty members in establishing their research agendas

The following programs and research-supported policies recognize research and scholarship at the University:

  • The Scholars Assistance Program offers assistance to research-active faculty members. This program is divided into four distinct fundable activities: Bridge Funding, Research Travel Grants, Research in Difficult-To-Fund Areas, and Small Grants for Unanticipated Expenses.
  • Faculty Research Committee Research Incentive Grants are designed to reward and encourage probationary faculty members who are attempting to obtain significant external grant support for their scholarly activities.
  • The Technology Innovation and Enhancement Grants, funded through the Ohio Board of Regents Research Challenge Fund allocations, are designed to foster partnerships between the University and industry in emerging technology areas.

The Center for Online and Blended Learning has taken a leading role in promoting the use of Internet 2 throughout the university to facilitate research that requires high speed, high bandwidth Internet access and both face-to-face and on-line teaching applications.

The following accomplishments have been achieved through collaboration of members of the BGSU Arts Roundtable: creation of the Arts Village residential learning community, development of a new interdisciplinary arts class (A&S 110), creation of a new major in Musical Theatre, development of an Acting for Entrepreneurs class (through partnership with the College of Business Administration 's Entrepreneurship Program), planning for a new Arts Management major, and the provision of shared arts productions through collaboration by students in Musical Arts, Theatre, Film, and Dance.

The Hybrid Diesel Vehicle Project in the College of Technology is funded by a NASA grant.

BGSU Academic Centers and Institutes

 

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