December 16, 2010 — UNT Academic Deans have been invited by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Vice President for Research and Economic Development to submit applications to build new research clusters that explicitly focus on addressing societal problems. A memo sent today outlines the plan to stimulate new areas of research development across the university.
UNT research is aimed at solving complex scientific, technological, environmental, and societal problems through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. The majority of clusters created to date, including the newly approved Phase II research clusters and strategic areas of investment, address scientific and technological problems, and a few address environmental problems. The emphasis on solving complex societal problems opens opportunities for other disciplines to advance research in enterprising areas of distinction and thereby enhance UNT’s research mission.
As with all the clusters, the primary focus of this initiative will be on hiring faculty — mostly at the senior level — who have a distinguished track record at Tier-1 institutions or comparable experience and can effectively mentor junior faculty and doctoral students. Proposed research clusters must represent strategic areas of growth, maximally aligned with the institutional goal of moving rapidly toward national research university status. Qualifying criteria includes:
Faculty and Chairs who have innovative ideas for building a cluster that addresses some societal problem are strongly encouraged to consult their Dean(s) to discuss involvement in a cluster application. Proposals are due from the Deans on February 14, 2011.
Learn more about the UNT research clusters by visiting the Web site!