Discovery and Innovation

Scholarly activity encompasses the full range of endeavors from single investigator work involving the disinterested pursuit of truth in a field to applied research focused on patentable discoveries. While not mutually exclusive, this continuum provides a useful perspective about the range of scholarly activity that occurs at public universities.

As we consider opportunities and approaches to optimizing our investment in scholarly work, it is important that we consider how to create greater benefit across disciplines. The "Leading Edges" of research breakthroughs, as well as academic innovation are occurring with increasing frequency at the crossroads of interdisciplinary convergence (see diagrams below).

The frontiers of discovery and the apex of opportunity are amplified at this interface.  Predictably, the future will advantage institutions of higher learning that think, act and function integratively and interdisciplinarily.

Examples of Potential Interdisciplinary and Integrative Research Opportunities at Marshall University

(No significance is attached to the order of listed opportunities)

• Safety Technology:  - Counseling, Adult and Technical Education (ATE), Heath Profession, Recreation Safety, Mining, Chemistry, Engineering , Biology, Radiation, School of Medicine (SOM), Occupational Health, Journalism, Rahall Institute (RTI)/Maritime, Computing Sciences, Assistive/Adaptive Technology Education. Institution - Mining Academy, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

• Transportation and Applied technology - Rahall Transportation Institute Maritime (e.g., remote sensing and intelligent systems’ design), Geography, SOM, Biology, Integrated Science and Technology, CITE

• Game and Simulation Development – creating, developing, and applying knowledge of media systems and services for the benefit of students, academy, industry, and society. The Specialization in Game Design and Development brings together students from computer science; studio and  graphic art/design; and telecommunication, information studies and media to explore the history, social impacts, technology, design fundamentals, and team-based production of digital games Arts, Integrated Science and Technology (IS&T), CEGES, Education, CIT - Institutions – Shawnee State, Kentucky Virtual University, Information Technology Alliance of Application Ohio, Adena Ventures, Learning Friends, Military

• Disability Studies -  Autism, Higher Education for Learning Problems (HELP), Health Professions (Nursing, Dietetics, Communication Disorder, Respiratory Care), PT, Counseling, Psychology, SOM (Psych, Rehab), Prevention Resource Center, RTI, Modern Languages, Exercise Science & Physiology, Sports Medicine, Student Affairs (Office of Disabled Students) , Vo Rehab, Social Work.  Institutions – Center for Independent Living, State Vocational Rehab Center, Heath South & Others, American Foundation for the Blind, Cabell Wayne Association for the Blind, Teubert Foundation, Cable County Public Library, Touma/Hearing, Green Acres, Handsaw Geriatric Center, Huntington Physical Therapy, River Park Hospital, State Hospital Metal Heath, Prestera Center, Pressley-Ridge, St. Marys Eating Disorder

• Fresh Water Institute –  CITE, Science Liberal Arts, RTI/Maritime, Forensics Science, SOM, Education, Geography, College of Health Professions, CEGAS Institution: CMU, Chatam, U Cinn, U Louisville, Murray State, Northern KY, Thomas More, Hanover, Duquesne University.

• Geospatial -  Geography, SOM, Biology, Integrated Science and Technology, Engineering CTC, Plan Attached

• Homeland Security/Cyber Security –Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Integrated Science, Psychology, Digital Imaging, COFA Sociology, College of Health Professions, CTC Police Science Technology,  Counseling, Modern Languages, Journalism, Computer Science Cyber Crime, IST, Fresh Water Institute, GIS Institution RCBI, RTI/Maritime, Public Health, FBI, State Police, all local police, CODIS,  All Transportation Industry (CSX, FRA, FCC)

• ACoRN – Appalachian Cardiovascular Research Network – COS, SOM, Counseling College of Ed, Nursing, Mathematics, Sociology/Anthropology, Psychology, Genetics, Integrated Science – Other Institutions – Fairmont State, West Liberty, CAMC, WVUHSC, Rural Clinics, Duke

• Biotechnology – All the sciences, SOM, CITE, College of Business, Heath Professions, Liberal Arts –Ethics, CTC Biotech Lab Tech, Education (K12), Social Science – Bioethics Institutions – listed above, WV State, WVU, all of the ACoRN schools, Wheeling Jesuit

Questions:

What is the blend of interdisciplinary and discipline-focused research and creative work that will position and advantage Marshall University in the future?

How do we prepare and transition ourselves for this new world of opportunity?

How do we effectively link interdisciplinary educational endeavors and innovations in with interdisciplinary research/scholarly activity?

What constellations of interdisciplinary research hold the greatest promise for distinguishing and elevating the competitiveness of Marshall University for external support?

How do we develop a financially self-sustaining, adaptive and self-generative model of research and creative activity at Marshall University?

What is the balance we are seeking to establish with regard to the nature (e.g., scholarship of teaching, service, original, applied, grants, etc.), caliber (e.g., number of published/juried works), and quality (e.g. citations, awards) of peer-reviewed/juried scholarly activity expected?