IU conference to explore research proposals, strategies

With the Office of Research under pressure from the University to increase the amount of outside-funded research at IU, the Research Symposium will explore the support side of research proposals today.\nMichael McRobbie, IU vice president for research, will discuss the University's strategies for administering research from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. today in the Indiana Memorial Union Georgian Room. \nThe event provides the latest information on IU research and sponsored programs administration and management according to www.iupui.edu/~resed/symposiumintrodec04.htm.\nParticipants will take part in three information sessions, explore the resource center and learn from leading IU researchers, according to the Web site.\nFaculty, graduate students, post doctorates, fellows, senior administrators and departmental research administrators involved in the conducting of research at IU campuses are invited to attend the event. \nShannon Walden, coordinator of Educational Programs for Responsible Conduct in Research at IU-Purdue University Indianapolis and director of the program, said the main goal of the event is to provide the latest information on federal and University policy pertaining to research.\nWalden said the event brings all the information to one place, making it easier for those involved, who would otherwise have to find the information themselves.\nWalden said the most exciting issues to be discussed are the "hot topics".\nOne subject discussed will be the importance of international faculty and staff in the area of research.\n"A major goal (of IU) is to create and encourage an environment of diversity," Walden said. "We must have a good flow of faculty and staff from overseas, but the current national environment is making that hard."\nOther topics include information technology security and national security versus open research environments.\nMcRobbie, who will be the keynote speaker at the symposium, said he will give an overview of IU's strategies in administering research. He will discuss University President Adam Herbert's charge to double externally-funded research in the "State of the University" speech earlier this year.\n"I will talk about what that means for us," McRobbie said, "how we will go about implementing it and what impediments we will face."\nMcRobbie said the event is very important for those involved in the mechanic of the support and administration of research, who must take into consideration a wide range of regulations the University must adhere to.\nMcRobbie cites examples of specialists who work to insure compliance with human subject regulations and use of dangerous chemical regulations.\n"There are approximately 4,000 proposals for external funding each year," he said. "Some are very large and complex. The symposium is for people who look after that aspect of the University." \n-- Contact staff writer Haley Beck at habeck@indiana.edu.