Looking to develop additional leadership skills? Want to learn more about the inner workings of research administration and play an important role in growing UGA research activities? The Office of Research is offering exactly these opportunities through its Faculty Fellows Program, a new initiative for faculty to develop skills and contribute expertise to the office’s operations.
Karen Burg, vice president for research, established the program with the future of the Office of Research squarely in mind.
“In order to build an impactful, sustainable research enterprise, we must grow our research leadership capacity,” she said. “The Faculty Fellows Program will allow us to work with talented faculty members who, in the future, could join the Office of Research leadership team. It’s a great way for faculty to learn about the business of research at this large and complex university and will help us improve the efficiency and operation of UGA research and creative inquiry programs.”
Faculty selected for the fellowship will work with a member of the Office of Research leadership team and learn about the details of that leader’s unit. Areas of focus will include Sponsored Project Administration and the offices of Internal Grants and Awards, Research Personnel, Research Integrity, Compliance and Safety, Research Facilities and Cores, and Finance and Human Resources.
The specific assignment for the fellow is developed through discussion with Burg and Office of Research leadership, based on the interests and goals of the fellow, as well as Office of Research needs.
“It’s all about building a deeper bench of faculty who might be interested in looking at research administration or research development,” said Larry Hornak, associate vice president for research, integrative team initiatives.
Eric Ferreira, associate professor of chemistry in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, was appointed as the inaugural fellow in Research Facilities and Cores during a pilot phase of the program last year and is currently representing Office of Research on several major facilities projects.
“This has been a great and rewarding experience so far,” said Ferreira. “I’ve learned a lot through working with the Office of Research about how we can make decisions that can be impactful and enabling for the UGA research community. I have been integrated into several ongoing construction projects, and I hope my perspectives as a faculty member are informing how the university designs and creates new spaces for state-of-the-art research.”
Up to two fellows will be selected for the 2023-24 academic year. All full-time faculty members are eligible and encouraged to apply. While applications geared to all mission areas are welcome, applicants with integrative activities interest are particularly encouraged.
Prospective fellows should apply through InfoReady. Applications should include an abbreviated CV and a one- to two-page letter of interest by 5 p.m. on April 17. Letters of interest should specify the following:
- primary areas of interest in Office of Research and/or specific initiatives of interest
- prior administrative and leadership experience
- long-term career goals and how the Faculty Fellows program can help attain them
For questions regarding the fellowship program or application process, contact Shelley Hooks at shooks@uga.edu or Hornak at lahornak@uga.edu.