Research with Impact

The Polytechnic transformation impacts not only how our college approaches teaching and learning but also our research enterprise.

This past August, thirty Polytechnic faculty identified research impact areas to leverage our existing research strengths and address global grand challenges that align with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. The faculty as a whole then coalesced around five sociotechnical research impact areas where we, as a college, could have significant positive impact and grow our research capabilities into nationally recognized initiatives:

  • Healthy and Sustainable Communities
  • Realizing the Digital Enterprise
  • Future Work and Learning
  • Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure

These interdisciplinary research impact areas transcend normal departmental silos and provide opportunities for faculty to engage with each other to solve important problems. The fifth research impact area, Community and Civic Engagement, has been identified as a cross-cutting area that will support all of the areas to help them be successful. Mary E. Johnson, associate professor of aviation technology, Tom Hacker, professor of computer and information technology, Mesut Akdere, associate professor of technology learning and innovation, and Steve Elliott, professor of technology leadership and innovation, are the Polytechnic faculty leaders helping to direct the future of each research impact area. They are engaging with faculty colleagues to define the vision and goals, and to lay out a roadmap for success. As these areas develop, they will act as collaboration zones for new and existing faculty and provide peer mentorship, professional development, and facilitation of new research ideas.

To assist in the development of these research impact areas, the Polytechnic committed financial and institutional support. Beyond seed funding and facilitated research planning discussions, staff members Clara Smith, director of research development, and Rick Evans, research program manager, have joined the Polytechnic Office of Research. They are working closely with faculty to help refine ideas, align with potential funders, and ensure sponsored research awards are efficiently managed.

By leveraging our strength in applied or “use-inspired” research and building comprehensive research impact areas, the Polytechnic research enterprise will have a stronger foundation to positively impact local as well as global communities.