The 2011 UNI Symposium on Research,

Scholarship and Creative Activity

Visit the 2011 Symposium Follow-Up page to learn more about the day.

Purpose

• To promote and showcase research and creative activity at UNI
• To enhance the skills of researchers in developing and sustaining collaborative relationships
• To facilitate networking among UNI faculty and research staff from different colleges and departments
• To increase engagement of faculty and staff in the life of the university
• To be inclusive of creative activity/scholarship that does not necessarily fit the term "research"

Theme

Evolving and alternative perspectives on faculty work and scholarship

Keynote speaker

R. Eugene Rice is Senior Scholar at the Association of American Colleges and Universities and holds an appointment in the new Ph.D. Program in Leadership and Change for senior professionals at Antioch University. For ten years he served as Director of the Forum on Faculty Roles and Rewards and the New Pathways projects at the American Association for Higher Education. Before moving to AAHE, he was Vice President and Dean of the Faculty at Antioch College where he held an appointment of Professor of Sociology and Religion. Earlier, Dr. Rice was Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Foundation engaged in the national study of the scholarly priorities of the American professoriate and collaborating with the late Ernest Boyer on the Carnegie Foundation report, "Scholarship Reconsidered." In his UNI conference keynote address, Dr. Rice will discuss the ideas that will be the subject of his forthcoming work, "Toward an Alternative View of Academic Excellence".  To read more about Dr. Rice read his biographical sketch.

Breakout Topics

• Collaborative Scholarship

In this session, participants will explore strategies for developing and managing collaborative relationships to enhance scholarship.  The increasing emphasis on integrated and holistic approaches to solving problems, funder interest in reducing duplication and increasing efficiency, and the joy of discovery and creation that comes from addressing issues from a cross-disciplinary perspective are among the reasons to take a closer look at the idea of “collaboration.”  When is collaboration appropriate (and when not)?  What are the best ways to seek out and develop collaborative relationships?  How can those relationships be sustained?  Join this session to discuss these intriguing and important issues.

• Professional Learning Communities

A professional learning community includes faculty and administrators who regularly seek and share learning through actions that enhance their effectiveness as professionals so that students benefit.  They become communities of continuous inquiry and improvement. The process offers structured time for faculty to work together, planning instruction, observing each other’s classrooms, and sharing feedback in a continuous cycle. Is this process in play at UNI?  If so, what improvements could be addressed to better support faculty in their teaching and learning? How could this type of process support faculty scholarship? Share your perspectives in this interactive session.

• Defining and Redefining Academic Rigor

The comprehensive University of the 21^st Century is being called upon to be more flexible, entrepreneurial, and integrated with the community. The challenges and responses to the problems of the 21^st Century such as global completion, global climate change, accelerated technological development, and human development seem best addressed by multi and interdisciplinary teams. How does and will this change our concepts of academic rigor? How should the scholars of the 21^st Century comprehensive University be encouraged and evaluated in this regard?  Join this session to discuss these intriguing and important issues.

• Faculty Workload:  A Three-Legged Stool or Integrated Base?

A typical faculty portfolio at a comprehensive University usually consists of three components:  1) teaching, 2) research/scholarship/creative activity and 3) service, each an integral but separate “leg” of a “stool”.   This traditional division of labor has been used most commonly to evaluate faculty in tenure/promotion.  In today’s 21^st century comprehensive University, is this “three-legged stool” the most efficient and effective way for faculty to distribute their workload or is there a different method that can be used to merge the “legs” and form an integrated base?

• The Global Scholar

As the world becomes more inter-dependent, understanding global citizenship, business, and cultural exchange is becoming a necessity for the 21^st century scholar. This session will allow participants to explore ideas and strategies for engaging in global scholarship. Discussion will address how faculty can develop a more global perspective, how to become more globally engaged, how we can enhance the university’s involvement internationally, and how we can encourage student interest and participation. 

Scholars in Action: The Way Forward (Faculty Panel)

This session will involve a diverse group of faculty having a discussion of evolving perspectives on academic scholarship and university engagement in the 21^st century. Issues raised in the keynote presentation, break-out sessions, and other conference activities will be addressed in light of the history, mission, goals, and culture of UNI as well as the needs and expectations of the scholars that comprise our academic community.   

Conference Day Schedule

7:30-8:30             Registration
8:30-8:45             Welcome
8:45-9:45             Keynote
9:45-10:45           Poster and Performance Session I
10:45-12:00         Breakout Sessions
12:00-12:15         Break/Transition
12:15-12:30         Lunch buffet pick-up
12:30-2:00           Lunch and Awards
2:00-3:00             Poster and Performance Session II
3:00-3:15             Report from Breakout Sessions
3:15-4:30             Scholars in Action: The Way Forward (Faculty Panel)
4:30-4:45             Future Reflections

2011 Conference Committee