Grinnell Representatives Join National Conversation on the Future of STEM Research

Susan Ferrari, assistant vice president in the Office of Grants and Research and  Kristen Burson, associate professor of physics, will bring a liberal arts perspective to a national conversation about the future of STEM research at emerging research institutions (ERIs)--colleges and universities with less than $50 million in annual federal research expenditures. During the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Reenvisioning the Future of STEM Research at Emerging Research Institutions summit, Sept. 1–2 in Washington, D.C. Supported by the National Science Foundation, the event will explore the role ERIs play in the U.S. scientific landscape and how the nation can better support and draw upon their expertise.

Ferrari was selected to serve on the nine-member committee convened for the workshop and is the only committee member representing a liberal arts college. The committee has coordinated three webinars leading up to the summit, examining how ERIs contribute to research, education, and workforce development. She will moderate a panel focused on disrupting myths around STEM research, education and workforce development at ERIs.

Ferrari shared, “‘Emerging research institution’” is an incredibly broad category, encompassing institutions ranging from community colleges and baccalaureate colleges like Grinnell to regional comprehensive and doctoral institutions,” said Ferrari. “I’ve seen my role on the committee as ensuring that the perspectives, needs, and strengths of undergraduate institutions are not overlooked—including our outsized contributions to the scientific pipeline, the significant research undertaken by our faculty and students, and the value we contribute to the federal agencies, foundations, and corporations that partner with us.”

Burson was selected to participate in a panel highlighting faculty and student research at emerging research institutions. Sharing “My panel will highlight stories from researchers at ERIs. Often teacher-scholars at institutions like Grinnell are using creative and thoughtful research models that both fuel scientific discovery and disproportionately contribute to developing the next generation of scientists. I'll be joined by a recent alum from my research group to highlight how fruitful collaborations with national labs and robust mentoring for student-scholars drives my scholarly productivity and leads to amazing student outcomes."

Interested in Attending? 

The summit is free to attend virtually. The registration link is here: https://events.nationalacademies.org/46853

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