Environment for Innovation

An environment for innovation requires the development of a culture that values each component and contributor as an equal and recognizes the inter-dependencies in the components and their sub-components to best support the needs of those passionate for the pursuit of basic and applied research. Identified as a high priority by stakeholders, focusing on the establishment of a streamlined and simplified administrative processes will lead to service efficiencies and a continuous improvement model that becomes part of the cultural norm.

1. Environment for Innovation

1.1 Knowledge

1.1.1 Education

Elevate research experiences and inspire students, staff members, faculty, and community members to be referred to as “stakeholder” or “stakeholders”. (Note: the term stakeholder is defined in a broader context and utilized throughout this document– see Appendix, Definitions)

1.1.1.1

Develop and refine an ecosystem for continuous environmental scanning of local, state, national, and international data access points to learn from and develop a depth of understanding. Examples of data access points: government websites, interest groups, LinkedIn Learning, and peer institutions.

1.1.1.2

Stakeholders will establish communication protocols pertaining to educational and research opportunities that create synergies and align communication priorities across academic areas/divisions/agencies for sharing of information (internal and external). Utilize formal and informal settings (workshops, events, programs, technology/applications that facilitate connections).

1.1.1.3

Stakeholders will establish internal and external (strategic areas of interest) subject matter experts to be resources for other stakeholders. 

1.1.1.4

In the pursuit of knowledge and development of new ideas, discoveries, and technologies that have the potential to benefit the public at large, applied, or translational research will follow intellectual property management and commercialization principles.

1.1.2 Mentorship

Identified as a high priority by survey respondents, shared individual knowledge contributes to the greater good of the whole body of institutional knowledge, and those who are inspired to develop others will accept an invitation to mentor and those interested in learning to be a mentee. 

1.1.2.1

Stakeholders will develop mentorship for new student researchers, faculty, and staff to afford a robust understanding of the university research enterprise and provide knowledge and tools for optimal engagement. Current mentors and mentees will assess objectives and outcomes.

1.1.2.2

Stakeholders will establish lifelong learning and individual career growth strategies to drive the pursuit of new knowledge and excellence.

1.1.2.3

Stakeholders will establish mentorship partnerships with specific pathways for depth of knowledge, leadership, and projected outcomes.  Identification of mentors and development of interest communities are examples.

1.1.3 Research Compliance and Integrity

Stakeholders will cultivate and sustain an environment of shared responsibility and accountability for compliance and ethical conduct that serves as the foundation for excellence in research and maintains the public trust in the research enterprise. Risk assessment with transparency and implementation of administrative service efficiencies to reduce administrative burdens will provide effective research safeguards while protecting stakeholders and the institution and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

1.1.3.1

The regulatory environment is ever-changing, with increasing administrative demands on the institution and its researchers. In addition, the university’s research ecosystem is large and complex with overlapping roles and responsibilities and institutional requirements. In collaboration with stakeholders, the Division of Research compliance teams will support the advancement of knowledge and innovation by providing a robust, coordinated, transparent, and responsive compliance framework built on best practice assessment processes that are operationally nimble, effective, and high-quality.

1.1.3.2

The Division of Research will meet with stakeholders to ensure transparency, provide guidance, coordinate research compliance efforts, promote research in conformity with regulatory requirements, and to share best practices and tools that facilitate outstanding research.

1.1.3.3

The Division will provide effective training on research misconduct and a review of Texas A&M University System and university rules, guidelines, and other resources that support awareness of protocols for adherence to the highest ethical standards. 

1.1.3.4

Stakeholders will communicate any needs they may have with respect to training.

1.1.3.5

The Division will take an integrative approach to maximize training effectiveness and minimize redundancies.

1.1.3.6

The Division will implement service efficiencies whenever feasible in association with the conduct or facilitation of research while ensuring the highest standards of research compliance and integrity, with recognition of impacts when introducing new knowledge and new technology. 

1.2 Culture of Appreciation for Pluralism and Wellbeing 

1.2.1 Organization

The research enterprise will recognize and retain talent and pursue the hiring and retention of diverse talent dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in all areas of research and the support of research.

1.2.2 Processes

The Division of Research will focus on streamlining and simplifying administrative processes, which was Identified as a high priority during the strategic planning process. The supporting processes will be flexible, adaptive, and reflective of workforce needs to strengthen the research enterprise by building partnerships and research collaborations with Texas A&M System schools.

1.2.3 Wellness

The appreciation for work/life balance of each stakeholder of the research enterprise will be affirmed through operational practices. 

1.2.3.1

Promotion of university/agency/system programs as well as stakeholder dynamics that also promote the mental and physical wellbeing of each stakeholder will be supported through scheduling of wellness time, activities, and events.

1.3 Emphasis on Service 

Reducing administrative burdens was identified as a high priority from internal and external stakeholders. The Division of Research will lead a service-centric model intended to improve and maintain stakeholder satisfaction.

1.3.1

Identification of service efficiencies will be transparent; process-oriented detection and elimination of ineffective processes or unnecessary redundancies will be operationalized within each stakeholder. Opportunities for harmonizing and streamlining the research ecosystem will be identified to support the research mission, integrity, compliance, and trust.

1.3.1.1

Stakeholders will create and demonstrate agile and dynamic needs assessments that will be conducted to assure alignment with overall stakeholder/organizational goals.

1.3.1.2

The Division of Research is a service organization with the purpose and mission of ensuring the success of university researchers. Service units within the division (such as Research Development Services or Sponsored Research Services), as well as throughout the research enterprise, will provide access points that accommodate and encourage continuous improvement feedback by constituents and must demonstrate efficient and effective response mechanisms to take corrective action or respond to a changing environment, such as regulatory protocols.

1.3.1.3

Best practice solutions are defined as proven, best-in-class, evidence-based, and process oriented and must include built-in accountability processes. Engagement of stakeholders for understanding of varied perspectives and greater understanding of common interests will be included as part of the process for change, with the outcome and result assuring the achievement of optimum service levels. Transparency is required on all counts.

1.3.1.4

Administrative burdens and barriers are real or perceived challenges to efficient delivery of services towards the pursuit of research or conduct of research. Commitment by all parties to communicate context, deadlines, regulatory requirements, etc., with the shared purpose of following efficient and effective processes towards research excellence will be required.

1.4 Research Infrastructure

1.4.1 Organizational structure aligned to meet institutional and societal goals:

Stakeholders will review respective organizational structures annually to identify and fill any gaps in leadership or execution of the needs of the organization and the response of the organization to meet the goals and outcomes of an evolving and advancing research enterprise.

1.4.1.1

Physical facilities (buildings/rooms), singular research stakeholder:
Stakeholders will review the current and projected future needs of the physical space, equipment, and instrumentation of the unit to assess and update annually and to align with budgetary processes.

1.4.1.2

Information technology elements:
Stakeholders will evaluate the networking infrastructure, hardware, and software in support of safe and secure computing, storage, and services required to conduct or support research.

1.4.1.3

Shared physical facilities:
Stakeholders will review the current and projected future needs of the physical space, equipment, and instrumentation of the unit to assess and update annually and align with budgetary processes. 

1.4.1.4

Identification of barriers:
Stakeholders will assess any infrastructure barriers to research and service of research excellence practices with transparency and with process-oriented detection methods. Stakeholders will quantify the barrier, whether it is budgetary, lack of staffing, low priority, etc.

1.4.1.5

Internal funding investments:
The research enterprise will be supported by internal funding investment programs to increase collaboration, grow interdisciplinary research collaborations, and advance discoveries to benefit the world. 

1.4.1.6

Performance-based budget:
A performance-based budget schedule will be provided along with resources to guide and align stakeholder needs with the strategic goals of the research enterprise, requiring:

• Alignment of deliverables with priorities and impact

• Alignment of deliverables with available financial, human, and other resources
• Eliminate potential redundancy
• Provide units with budget authority, responsibility, and accountability
• Preparation for the university’s FY2024 budget process

1.4.1.7

Performance Evaluation:
The performance evaluation process associated with a faculty researcher performing interdisciplinary/ multidisciplinary research will be assessed to assure equity with an evaluation of faculty researchers conducting basic or applied research.