At Indiana University, our research and creative activities are enhancing lives, building the Hoosier economy and strengthening communities across Indiana and around the world. A recent statewide survey commissioned by the Office of the Vice President for Research (a follow up to a 2017 survey) illustrates how Hoosiers see that impact: 70% of Indiana residents recognize that research has some (33%) or a great deal (37%) of impact in their day-to-day lives. Of those, 40% are affiliated with IU. Additionally, the majority of Hoosiers (69%) feel that research conducted at IU is helpful in creating solutions to important problems facing Indiana. The overall number of those who agreed stayed the same, but the number of those who thought it made a great deal of impact increased from 22% to 36%.
The COVID-19 pandemic created extraordinary impact on research and the university. Researchers at IU leaned in, contributing to research on almost every aspect of the pandemic and overcoming obstacles and constraints caused by the pandemic. Their contribution was acknowledged as 49% of those surveyed said IU’s efforts to advance understanding of the virus and develop coronavirus protections were helpful.
The survey found 69% of Hoosiers feel the research conducted at IU is helpful when solving problems. Women, voters 18-34 and 65+, those with a college degree, residents of urban areas, and those with association to IU are most likely to feel that the research has a great deal of impact. Of those surveyed, 38% were IU-affiliated.
Additional survey findings highlight specific views from Hoosiers regarding the impact of research on quality of life, health outcomes and economic development in the state. Academic research in Indiana is still a two-institution race between IU and Purdue University—with each university trading off in being the most associated with each topic tested (quality of life, health outcomes and economic development).
According to the survey:
- 60% agreed that IU research contributes significantly to improving quality of life, 55% agreed it contributes significantly to economic development in Indiana and 67% agreed it improves the health of Indiana residents. (These numbers are down from 72%, 68% and 74% in 2017). In comparison, of those surveyed, 65% think Purdue significantly contributes to improving quality of life for Hoosiers, 66% agree Purdue contributes to economic development and 55% said Purdue contributes to health of Indiana residents. (Purdue also saw a drop from 76%, 78% and 67%.)
verall, residents feel good about the research conducted at Indiana University. The top emotions displayed were joy and trust. The people of Indiana feel that IU researchers are doing good and important work, and they have faith in the university’s ability to do the work well.