NSF_EPSCoR_Successful_Management_Strategies

Project Description

The NSF EPSCoR program has entered a new era marked by increased complexity of the research infrastructure improvement awards, the addition of new jurisdictions to the EPSCoR community, and a large amount of turnover in leadership at the state/territorial level. Managerial oversight and accountability are needed as EPSCoR jurisdictions take on new opportunities to integrate research and education, forge strategic partnerships, and engage in human resource development activities. Long-range planning and the sharing of management strategies can help new project directors and state committee members to provide the leadership necessary to succeed in the new era.

To respond to these needs, a Management Strategy Workshop was planned with an intensive preliminary discussion and elaboration of six major topic areas and also of long-range planning for the NSF EPSCoR community of 24 states and jurisdictions. The goal was to capture new and refined management strategies appropriate to the new EPSCoR realities during the workshop and to produce a publication that would serve as a “resource manual” of best ideas.

Because of the very nature of the EPSCoR program, improvements to the programs in these states and jurisdictions will have a broad impact. Specific areas that can be impacted directly by defining best practices from several states are in the areas of human resources, particularly diversity issues; communication with the broader public; and economic development.

Human Resources: Utilizing ideas from successful programs developed by other EPSCoR states will enable all the jurisdictions to develop useful strategies that will increase the numbers of underrepresented groups among their students and faculty. Also, a number of the programs have developed innovative, successful activities that integrate research and education from K-12 through the Ph.D. level.

Communication: For EPSCoR to effectively build jurisdictions’ STEM infrastructure, it is necessary to get “buy-in” from key stakeholders and from the general public. Effective communication that educates and informs the broader public and especially the legislatures is vital.

Economic Development: Several states have utilized different mechanisms to encourage economic development within their universities and outside as well. Discussion of these programs and how they can be adapted to other states will be particularly beneficial.

Workshop Proposal
Proposal: Project Description