The Vice President for Research has commissioned a process to develop a strategic plan for research at Brown. The scope of the planning process includes the University’s overall activities to pursue and conduct research as well as the specific supporting services provided by the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR). The goals of the planning process include:

• Establishing priorities for investing resources to develop, pursue, and support research opportunities.
• Improving the alignment of Brown’s organizational structure, culture and policies with its aspiration to be among the top research institutions.
• Identifying specific actions that OVPR can take to improve its support for research.

Planning Process

OVPR began the strategic planning process in fall 2008 in collaboration with an outside consultant, Phil Goldstein of Goldstein & Associates. The initial activities included focus groups interviews with 65 faculty members and interviews with senior deans and administrators from a cross section of academic disciplines. These conversations identified a set of strategic issues and questions that participants believe that the University must address in order to sustain and enhance its success in research. The issues and questions that the committees will consider are derived from these initial conversations.

Six committees of faculty and staff from around the University are meeting from September through December 2009 to consider specific questions and recommend potential actions. Planning committees are organized around a related set of issues and include:

• Brown’s Research Aspirations
• Research Development
• Supporting the Conduct of Research
• Integrating Research Across the University and Hospitals
• Centers, Programs and Institutes
• OVPR Operations

Role of the Committee

The Vice President for Research has appointed a chair or co-chairs for each committee. The chair(s) are responsible for convening the committee, facilitating its discussions and conveying its recommendations to the Vice President for Research. The chairs will also meet collectively with OVPR leadership at key points during the planning process to provide updates on the work of their group and to discuss issues that are shared in common across committees.

Committees have been asked to create a focused narrative that presents the group’s answers to the framing questions in the charge. A template has been provided to guide the organization of the group’s report. While ideal, it is not necessary for committees to achieve consensus on their responses or recommendations. Committees are encouraged to present differing options and opinions along with their evaluation of them within their responses. Committees are also encouraged to note whether a particular issue or recommendation pertains to all of Brown equally or whether a differential approach based on discipline or organization would be more advantageous.

Finally, the current economic recession has created financial challenges for the University and limited our ability to invest. While this plan will take a longer view than just one or even two years time, it would be impractical to ignore the constraints we face. Therefore, committees will be asked to prioritize recommended actions or investments and are encouraged to recommend areas where resources can be saved or re-directed.

Development of the Strategic Plan

The committee reports will be received and reviewed by the OVPR leadership team in late December. The leadership team will then synthesize the ideas and recommendations they contain into a single draft strategic plan. The goal is to create the draft plan between January and February 2010. Committee chairs and members will have an opportunity to provide feedback on the draft plan. After a period of discussion, comment, and refinement, the plan will be recommended to the President for adoption in spring 2010.

Committees and Charges

Research Aspirations

Research Development

Supporting the Conduct of Research

Centers/Institutes/Programs

Integrating Research across the University and Hospitals

OVPR Operations

Contacts

• For questions about OVPR strategic planning, please contact Julianne Hanavan.