Many universities are trying to enhance their research stature; usually this is measured by NSF-reported research expenditures. Unfortunately, a simple measure like this leaves many faculty members, particularly those in the arts, feeling left out.
My Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Janet Nelson, did a great job addressing this concern with two simple, complementary, and engaging programs. First, sponsor a mini grant program focused on arts and other disciplines unable to attract major extramural support. Though $5000 might buy only 1% of a major NMR, it could-for example-build the world’s only 5-string cello (now at the University of Idaho). Who amongst us science nerds realized that Bach had written suites for the 5-string cello that had not been heard for hundreds of years? Well, Miranda Wilson at the University of Idaho knew this…and now you CAN hear those pieces because she was the recipient of a mini grant.
And, where did the contemporary world first hear those pieces…at an interdisciplinary “Short and Sweet” research symposium. These symposia typically had 5-8 talks of about 5 minutes. Topics spanned the five string cello to fire science at the urban-wild interface. An afternoon symposium and light refreshment (yes, we did provide wine) drew a very interdisciplinary crowd-much more interested than most of our 1-hour, professional talks.