As the fall semester gets underway, I wanted to share my excitement to be embarking on my first full academic year at IU.
Since the spring, I have met many incredible faculty and student researchers, as well as the research staff who support their research and creative ambitions. We share an excitement for the future of IU Research, and particularly the tremendous possibilities that exist in Indianapolis as we transition to IU Indianapolis in 2024.
Indianapolis researchers have a long history of tackling critical issues important to both our city and state. Through transformative research and creative activity, community engagement and public scholarship, and multi-disciplinary collaboration, their research endeavors have improved lives and strengthened communities – including the downtown neighborhoods surrounding our campus. And we’re just getting started.
Between fiscal year 2022 and 2023, I am thrilled to share that IUPUI’s external research funding increased by more than 30 percent – showing confidence in our researchers and their ability to solve today’s biggest challenges while also driving economic development. As part of the IU 2030 strategic plan, we aim to continue to increase our sponsored research support in order to enhance our research productivity and overall impact.
Students play an integral role in the research and creative activities happening in Indianapolis. Through the 1st Year Research Immersion Program launching this fall, IUPUI students will embark on a unique, learning experience that will prepare them for the future. They will be immersed in research, scholarship and creative activity, working alongside a faculty mentor and their peers on a team project. The program is open to all first-year students with no minimum GPA or previous research requirement.
We are excited for all that is ahead here in Indianapolis. Many exciting initiatives are on the way, so stay tuned in the coming weeks for some big announcements about the future of IU Research in Indianapolis.
Phaedra Corso, associate vice president for research and vice chancellor for research at IUPUI