Work has been underway across campus over the past year on a key part of the IUB 2030 research pillar: the launch of four transformational research areas for IU Bloomington. Faculty on IUB 2030 working groups identified the areas — aging, environmental health, artificial intelligence and quantum technology — which were detailed in the strategic plan as high-priority fields in which to pursue large-scale external grant funding targeted at solving many of today’s biggest challenges.

The concept and goals for the initiative came directly from the strategic plan, with the implementation strategy developed by the IUB 2030 Executive Leadership Team in summer 2023. The team created a phased approach, with the aging and environment areas launching first in fall 2023, followed by AI and quantum technology.

Research areas were chosen with existing strengths and future opportunities in mind, as well as for the potential for positive societal impact.

“Finding solutions to society’s most pressing issues requires the creativity and talents of our incredible faculty and staff,” Provost and Executive Vice President Rahul Shrivastav said. “The launch of these transformational research areas allows us to be laser-focused on seeking out promising opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and marshaling the resources to pursue them.”

Associate Vice President and Vice Provost for Research Brea Perry, who also served as chair for the research pillar during the strategic planning process, is leading the initiative.

“All four fields were identified by faculty as areas where we have considerable strengths, and where key investments could make a difference on our ability to innovate, secure big grants and make transformational change,” Perry said. “They were also chosen to take advantage of synergies across schools. We thought there were opportunities to be even more intentionally interdisciplinary.”

Perry quickly identified potential leaders and faculty for each of the research areas, with a goal of being as inclusive as possible. By January 2024, steering committees for the aging and environment focus areas were in place, and the groups began meeting to brainstorm and strategize.

Each of the two steering committees includes 12 to 15 faculty from multiple disciplines and schools, including arts and humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. A faculty-led initiative by design, the committees develop the goals, organization and activities of their respective areas with IUB 2030 objectives and metrics in mind.

They also invited faculty with research in these areas to participate. Approximately 300 faculty are now part of the Aging Research Network and Environmental Research Network.

First-year progress

The first year saw a flurry of activity to lay the foundation for future work. Research digests for each network are sent every other week with details on funding and networking opportunities, as well as upcoming events and activities.

The groups held multiple events in the spring and summer of 2024 to jumpstart collaboration. One event organized by the Environmental Resilience Institute — a workshop and brainstorming session titled “Accelerating Environmental Research at IU” — included over 50 faculty across schools. Attendees discussed the most important opportunities in environmental research over the next decade and how IU Bloomington can facilitate the development of new interdisciplinary and cross-campus teams to conduct research and creative activity in response to those opportunities.

“I have had the chance to interact with a wide range of fantastic scholars of the environment through the Environmental Research Network, and I know this is only a small percentage of the talent and brilliance at IU,” said Jessica Steinberg, chair of the Department of International Studies and a leader of the Environmental Research Network steering committee. “This initiative provides an infrastructure for sustaining a dynamic community of scholars on campus who can build on existing research, spark new collaborations and generate creative ideas for addressing complex environmental problems.”

In addition to more traditional workshops, a series of structured incubation events kicked off in July. During the initial event, teams identified broad, interdisciplinary topics with substantial synergy at IU Bloomington. That was followed up with a short workshop led by IU Research’s Proposal Development Services team on writing specific aims, and then several hours of dedicated brainstorming and proposal co-writing time.

By the end, working groups had drafted proposals and associated pilot projects in hand. IU Research then selected a handful of projects to both fund and provide infrastructure for, which includes support for team-building activities, pilot data collection and analysis, and submissions for external funding.

“There’s a lot of action in these groups,” Perry said. “The faculty are excited. They were told from the beginning that this is theirs to drive.”

Looking to the next year

With the Aging Research Network and Environmental Research Network off the ground, the coming phase will see the launch of steering committees, faculty cohorts and a variety of initiatives for the additional two research areas. The AI and quantum research areas will also be faculty-driven, with members spanning disciplines and schools.

Both the aging and environmental networks have a range of activities planned for this academic year. Upcoming events will build on previous work, with teams continuing to develop projects and utilize dedicated infrastructure and support from IU Research. Proposal development workshops focused on aging and the environment will be held for faculty to learn about and take advantage of related funding opportunities, and both groups are planning symposiums this spring featuring external speakers.

A primary focus of the Aging Research Network in the coming months is to pursue recognition of IU Bloomington by the Age-Friendly University Global Network. The network launched a subcommittee to focus on achieving this recognition and how the campus can connect older adults to the university in multiple ways.

Both groups will expand in the coming years, as well, with Faculty 100 cluster hires recently funded for both the aging and environment research areas to continue building a critical mass of faculty who are engaged in related research.

“IU Bloomington has exceptional strengths in the social sciences and humanities. The degree to which we are able to promote interdisciplinarity across many fields — from basic molecular science to public arts — is unique,” Perry said. “This program is facilitating the important work of generating big ideas that often sit between traditional disciplinary silos and have real impact.”

How to get involved

IU Bloomington faculty interested in participating in events related to this initiative, or who would like to be added to a listserv, can contact Erin Miller in the Office of the Vice Provost for Research at elm5@iu.edu.

Caroline Dwyer Gilley is a strategy and innovation specialist in the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President.