Highlighting research and scholarship on campus is the focus of Samford University’s newly formed Research Advisory Collaborative. The group serves to advance and support the research and scholarship efforts of both faculty and students.

“What the Research Advisory Collaborative gives us is a dynamic, ongoing, engaged feedback loop with Samford faculty. By engaging with this group, we have already begun to develop ways to enhance scholarship and research at Samford, finding new ways to support faculty and students as they engage with their specific disciplines,” said Linnea Minnema, director of grants and sponsored programs in the Office of Research.

Another goal is to showcase the research taking place on campus and encourage future research for students and faculty.

“Samford places a high value on support for all scholarly activities undertaken by faculty, staff and students. First, engaged faculty scholars are transformational teachers in the classroom and collectively raise the profile of the university,” Minnema said. “Secondly, mentored student research is demonstrated to be a high-impact practice that develops skills such as critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving and intellectual independence.”

One of the collaborative’s first initiatives is to develop research-specific recommendations to be considered for inclusion in Samford’s new strategic plan, which is currently being developed.

Celebrating and sharing student research is another priority. The Research Advisory Collaborative, along with the Office of Research, is hosting the Samford Student Research Colloquia on Friday, April 22 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Davis Library. The event is a public forum where undergraduate and graduate students will present their scholarship and research, with awards given to those with the most outstanding presentations.

For more information about the Office of Research and the Samford Student Research Colloquia, visit this website.