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End of Year Note . . .

Welcome to the end of the fall 2019 semester. It’s been a busy year and a busy semester across WMU. One major initiative in our office this calendar year has been the review and updating of all of our policies, and for many the development and posting of corresponding procedures. Working collaboratively with the university policy committee and the research policy council we are nearing completion of review of the research policies. We will continue to work with other offices to update policies such as those related to procurement, and other research related topics. We encourage you to go to our website and check out the policies and procedures listed there. Thanks to Steve Weber our research contracts administrator for serving on the university policy committee and helping shepherd this through. You can expect to see highlights of these policies in the future newsletters. and as always please send us any questions or comments.

Meet our new Faculty Fellows...

The Office of Research and Innovation is pleased to announce that two faculty fellows will be joining us for the 2020 calendar year.  Dr. Lofton Durham, associate professor of theater history from the College of Fine Arts and Dr. Amy Naugle, professor of psychology from the College of Arts and Sciences will be working on special projects in compliance and research during the year.

Spring 2020 ICD Program Starts January 29, 2020

Introduction to Customer Discovery (ICD) training provides entrepreneurs an opportunity to learn about the customer discovery interview process. This course will encompass the two main concepts that are the first step in any commercialization process, namely value proposition of the product or service and customer segmentation. There is no registration cost for a team to attend this program.

The course is a joint sponsorship with ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§ Technological University and Western ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§ University. This collaboration provides for eligibility for teams to participate in the national I-Corps program sponsored by NSF.

Registration is now open for the Spring 2020 ICD Program.  

Funding for Education Research

Join us on January 21 for our next Discovery Acceleration workshop.  This workshop will focus on applying to the U.S. Department of Education, the Institute of Education Sciences and other funders of education research.  Go to our website to register and see the full schedule of workshops.

New NIH Draft Data Management and Sharing Policy Coming Soon

The U.S. National Institutes of Health has released a that will require all investigators with NIH funding, regardless of funding level or mechanism, to make their data as available as possible while ensuring that the privacy and autonomy of research participants are respected, and that confidential/proprietary data are appropriately protected. NIH will collect comments through January 10, 2020 and hopes to finalize the new rules next year.

Support for Research Data

The University Libraries supports researchers at all stages of the data life cycle, assisting with data management plans and project workflow, advising on data management best practices, and exploring dissemination options.  Not sure where to go or who to contact about your data needs?  Connect with our Data Librarian, Daria Orlowska to set up a consultation or workshop today. 

Compliance Summit: "Creating a Culture of Compliance"

The WMU Compliance Committee is hosting a Compliance Summit "Creating a Culture of Compliance" on February 28, 2020.  Three speakers are currently scheduled, Bronwen Taylor, Stryker Chief Compliance Officer; Melissa Rix, Compliance Officer from Gibson Financial; and Traci Gauthier, Compliance Officer with Greenleaf Trust.  More information to come.  

November 12th's Innovation Networking Session:  Technology for Social Good

Thanks to Drs. Chad Edwards and Wayne Fuqua for spearheading the Innovation Networking Session: Technology for Social Good.  The session focused on promoting an intra- and inter-field exchange of ideas on how technology is shaping our future.  The keynote speaker was WMU alum Dr. Dylan Schmorrow Executive Vice President at Soar Technology, Inc.  Reach out to Kay Mortellaro in ORI who oversaw the event to be included in future communications and opportunities in this growing area of WMU expertise and opportunity.

Keep Us In the Loop

ORI is very interested in hearing about the accomplishments of our faculty in the area of research and creative activities.  For example, we are starting a wall with copies of journal covers highlighting the work of our faculty, students and staff.  If your work has been featured please print a high-quality 8 1/2 x 11 inch copy of the cover, sign it and send it to me for inclusion on the wall.  In addition, we love to hear about awarded fellowships, notable awards outside of the University, Honorary Society Memberships and special activities that we can highlight.  It's easy for us to know grants, but it's very important for us to highlight all of the achievements at WMU.  Don't forget, the Provost would also like copies of your books!   

Reminder:

FRACCA applications can now be submitted on InfoReady.  Please click information to read highlights of the Faculty Research and Creative Activities Award.  The deadline is 5 p.m. on January 21, 2020.

Upcoming events to watch for more information

• Introduction to Customer Discovery | Research and Innovation | Western ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§ University -  starts Wednesday, January 29, 2020.  Registration is now open. 
• 2019-2020 Discovery Acceleration Workshop Series Information, Grants for Education Research - January 21, noon - 1:30 p.m. 3310 Sangren Hall
• WMU Compliance Summit - February 28, 2020 - more information to come.