By the Numbers: Aim 3: Emphasize and prioritize research and creative activity across the college

by Haley Hamel

July 5, 2024

Graphic that reads "by the Numbers"

During 2023-2024, the Research, Creative Activity and Awards committee worked to increase the visibility of faculty research and creative activity. The committee organized a Faculty Innovation and Excellence workshop around promotional opportunities, inviting representatives from the college’s communications team, University Communication and the Office of Research and Economic Development.

Following the workshop, the committee worked to update faculty research areas based on the framework maintained by University Communication. The updated list of experts in the college was then shared with University Communication to be posted on their website and used to respond to media requests.

In addition to continuing with workshops focused on promotion and tenure, the Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs launched professorship talks, where faculty holding professorships give a lecture on their activities each semester.

During 2023-2024, the college increased the number of extramural grant applications submitted from six in 2022-2023 to 11 this year. As of the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2024, four of those applications have been declined, two have been awarded, and five remain pending.

External Grant Applications (2023-2024):
  1. Baldinelli, S. Community Practice About Neonicotinoid. University of Nebraska-Medical Center. $145,246. Submitted on 10/2/2023. Purpose: Research. Status: Declined.  
  2. Wang, B. Dataveillance in Smart Cities. Urban Communication Foundation. $3,000. Submitted on 12/1/2023. Purpose: Research. Status: Submitted.  
  3. Wang, B. USDOT Mobility Equity. U.S. Department of Transportation. $1,485,000. Submitted on 3/21/2024. Purpose: Research. Status: Submitted. 
  4. Griffin, J., Martin, J. and Wenz, J. Journalists in the Democratic Process. Stanton Foundation. $149,362. Submitted on 8/30/2023. Purpose: Public Service. Status: Declined.  
  5. Armstrong, C. Risk Information During Weather Events. University of Alabama. $26,726. Purpose: Research. Submitted on 9/20/2023. Status: Awarded.  
  6. Kirkpatrick, C. Improving Information Sharing About Cancer Clinical Trials. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. $168,332. Purpose: Research. Submitted on 9/20/203. Status: Submitted.  
  7. Walsh, J. Nebraska News Map. Stanton Foundation. $143,000. Submitted on 8/30/2023. Purpose: Research. Status: Declined.  
  8. Alloway, R. and Veil, S. Rural Journalism Internship. Stanton Foundation. $148,465. Submitted on 8/30/2023. Purpose: Instruction/Training. Status: Awarded.  
  9. Baldinelli, S. Neonicotinoids to buildings people. University of Nebraska Medical Center. $57,230. Purpose: Research. Submitted on 9/27/2023. Status: Declined.  
  10. Walsh, J. Media access and community news needs amid local news crisis. Humanities Nebraska. $13,000. Purpose: Public Service. Submitted on 1/12/2024. Status: Submitted.
  11. Wang, B. Crisis Communication in the Age of AI. Pennsylvania State University. $10,000. Purpose: Research. Submitted on 1/15/2024. Status: Submitted.  

One of the awarded grant applications was for an instructional program, and one was for research. The research grant generated $26,726 in research revenue, a significant increase from the $3,500 revenue generated in 2022-2023.

Although internal grant applications fell slightly (from 20 to 16), they remained strong in 2023-2024. Ten of the 16 applications were for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Grant Challenge grants.

Internal Grant Applications (2023-2024)
  1. Armstrong, C. Social (And Traditional) Media Analytics and Research Tools Lab (SMART-Lab). NRI New Core or Service Funding Request. $3,225,73. Submitted on: 5/10/2024. Status: Pending.  
  2. Wang, B. Integrating Microelectronics in Precision Agriculture: Towards Energy-Efficient Sensing Solutions for Soil, Plant, and Animal Monitoring. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Planning Grants. $74,989. Submitted 4/29/2024. Status: Approved.  
  3. Wang, B. Climate Resilient Heartland: Leveraging AI for Equitable Risk Reduction and Adaptation Across Rural and Urban Systems. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Planning Grants. $75,000. Submitted on 4/26/2024. Status: Approved.  
  4. Armstong, C. and Baldinelli, S., Protecting Rural, Agricultural, and Small Communities of Nebraska from the Threats of Forever Chemicals through A Holistic Community Engaged Approach. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Planning Grants. $75,000. Submitted on 4/26/2024. Status: Pending.  
  5. Armstong, C. and Wang, B. Great Plains - Community Climate Resilience Institute. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Catalyst Awards. $6,118,501. Submitted on 4/26/2024. Status: Pending.  
  6. Wang, B. Preparation for Advancement and Adoption of Autonomous Driving and Human-Robot Interactive Technology in Transportation Challenged and Underserved Communities. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Catalyst Awards. $2,408,283. Submitted on 4/26/2024. Status: Pending.  
  7. Wang, B. Nebraska Experiential Program for Innovative Quantitative Education (EPIQuE). Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Catalyst Awards. $3,741,006. Submitted on 4/26/2024. Status: Awarded.  
  8. Wang, B. MindVerse: A Multi-layer and Cross-domain Computing Framework to Model How Information Drives the Human Emotional Universe. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Catalyst Awards. $5,113,806. Submitted on 4/26/2024. Status: Pending.  
  9. Wang, B. Building Dynamic Climate Resilience in Peri-Urban Areas. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Catalyst Awards. $2,374,088. Submitted on 4/25/2024. Status: Pending.  
  10. Kirkpatrick, C. Scientific Nebraska. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Catalyst Awards. $3,324,185. Submitted on 4/26/2024. Status: Pending.  
  11. Wang, B. Advancing Development of Assessments, Practices, and Tools (ADAPT) to Produce Climate Smart Beef in Grazing Systems. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Catalyst Awards. $4,997,068. Submitted on 4/26/2024. Status: Pending.  
  12. Jones, V. LifelineLinks: Nurturing Connections, Breaking Loneliness - An AI-Powered Journey into Senior Social Well-being. Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experiences. $3,600. Submitted on 2/15/2024. Status: Awarded.  
  13. Jones, V. Nurturing Connections, Breaking Loneliness - An AI-Powered Journey into Senior Social Well-being. Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experiences. $3,600. Submitted on 2/15/2024. Status: Awarded.  
  14. Walsh, J. Nebraska News Map: Examining how and where Nebraska communities get local news. UNL Research Council. $10,000. Submitted on 10/13/2023. Status: Awarded.  
  15. Walsh, J. Nebraska News Map: Understanding local news access and community news needs. Arts & Humanities Research Enhancement Program. $15,000. Submitted on 10/6/2023. Status: Declined.  
  16. Wang, B. Building Browser Extensions for Instagram and TikTok to Increase Algorithmic Media Literacy and Shape Attitudes toward Algorithms. Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experiences $2,400. Submitted on 9/12/2023. Status: Awarded.  

Prior-year grant applications are included at the end.

On May 1, 2024, the college held a premiere screening of “Running Towards the Fire – A War Correspondent’s Story.” This one-hour documentary was directed by Hitchcock Professor of Journalism Barney McCoy, with videography by assistant professor of practice Kristian Andersen. The documentary also made its state-wide television debut on May 23 on Nebraska Public Media.

Review of the Strategies
StrategyStatus
1Increase the visibility of faculty and student research and creative activities within college, across campus and among peer institutionsFinished
2Develop clear and rigorous research and/or creative production expectations for tenure-track and tenured facultyFinished
3Develop a mentoring program for faculty and students who engage in research and/or creative activitiesFinished
4Establish rotating brown-bag workshops on writing, research, grant procurement, creativity, leadership development, personal growth and community outreachFinished
5Establish rotating college faculty research and creative activity brown-bag presentations to increase opportunities for collaboration and community buildingFinished
6Incentivize grant applications and awards, scholarly publications and interdisciplinary researchFinished
7Identify and allocate funding for research and creative activity professional development opportunitiesIn Progress
8Increase research apportionment for faculty who secure extramural funding, publishing contracts or journal editorshipsProposed Amendment
8Increase research apportionment through course buyouts or faculty development leave for faculty who secure extramural funding, publishing contracts or journal editorshipsFinished
9Increase faculty engagement in research related to UNL’s Global Challenges, Nebraska Governance and Technology Center and National Strategic Research InstituteFinished
10Identify and develop core research areas within the college through research collaboratives like the Public Insight LabFinished
11Develop undergraduate and graduate courses in research methodsIn Progress
12Establish a model for undergraduate students to earn independent study credit working as research assistants with faculty in the collegeFinished
13Develop a robust Honors Program focused on scholarly and creative activitiesIn Progress
14Engage in a rigorous fundraising campaign to establish graduate assistantships and endowed professorships that include research assistantshipsIn Progress
 
Proposed Amendments

The Strategic Planning Committee developed a series of proposed amendments to our strategic plan based on additional knowledge or changing circumstances at the university since the plan was adopted in 2021.  

  • To amend strategy 8 to read “Increase research apportionment through course buyouts or faculty development leave for faculty who secure extramural funding, publishing contracts or journal editorships.   
Review of the targets
Target20-2121-2222-2323-2425-26 (Goal)
Increase tenured/tenure-leading faculty by 20%[i]2020202124
Increase the number of faculty submitting extramural grant applications by 50%[ii]726119
Double research and creative activity revenue[iii]$3,000$5,443$3,500$26,726$5,200
Increase the number of peer-reviewed publications by 75%[iv]1020171217
Double the number of GAs dedicated to research support[v]11112

Previous Grant Applications

External Grants
2022-2023
  1. Veil, S. Bay High. Scripps Howard Fund. $29,962, Purpose: Instruction/Training. Submitted on 1/12/2023. Status: Declined.  
  2. Wang, B. Combatting Vaping Epidemic. University of Nebraska Medical Center. $36,036. Purpose: Research. Submitted on 11/18/2022. Status: Declined. 
  3. Walsh, J. Engaging rural news audiences. Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. $3,500. Purpose: Research. Submitted on 10/3/2022. Status: Declined. 
  4. Kirkpatrick, C. TikTok as Source of Health Information. Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. $3,500. Purpose: Research. Submitted on 9/28/2022. Status: Awarded. 
  5. Baldinelli, S. Karnofsky Patient Perceptions. Great Plains IDEA-CTR. $19,999. Purpose: Research. Submitted on 9/26/2022. Status: Declined.  
  6. Wang, B. Government Social Media Strategies. IBM. $20,000. Purpose: Research. Submitted on 9/2/2022. Status: Declined. 
2021-2022
  1. Kiambi, D. Training Journalists in Malawi. U.S. Department of State. $46,110. Purpose: Instruction/Training. Submitted on 6/20/2022. Status: Declined.  
  2. Jones, V. and Yan, C. Reduce Loneliness and Pain. University of Nebraska Medical Center. $5,443. Purpose: Research. Submitted on 5/11/2022. Status: Awarded. 
2020-2021
  1. Wang, B. Campaign 1st Amend Freedoms. Middle Tennessee State University. $2,000. Purpose: Instruction/Training. Submitted on 6/4/2021. Status: Awarded. 
  2. Jones, V. 2021 NSF ERC CAFE full proposal. National Science Foundation. $26,000,000. Purpose: Research. Submitted on 5/7/2021. Status: Declined. 
  3. Griffin, J. and Martin, J. Experiential Learning Practicum. Ameritas Charitable Foundation. $33,738. Purpose: Instruction/Training. Submitted on 3/1/2021. Status: Declined. 
  4. Wagler, A. Smart Building Education. U.S. Department of Energy. $664,353. Purpose: Research. Submitted on 1/20/2021. Status: Declined. 
  5. Hachtmann, F. COVID: Brands and COVID-19. Russell Sage Foundation. $35,000. Purpose: Research. Submitted on 11/10/2020. Status: Declined. 
  6. Wang, B. Cancer Misinformation on Social Media. Kapp Tau Alpha. $600. Purpose: Research. Submitted on 10/1/2020. Status: Awarded.  
  7. Eno, A., Krcmarik, K., Wagler, A., and Yan, C., UNK - S.T.E.M.ulationg Equity (ITEST). University of Nebraska Kearney. $823,500. Purpose: Research. Submitted on 8/14/2020. Status: Declined.  
Internal Grant Applications
2022-2023
  1. Armstrong, C. Social (And Traditional) Media Analytics and Research Tools Lab (SMART-Lab). NRI New Core or Service Funding Request. $359,416. Submitted on 5/1/2023. Status: Declined.
  2. Wang, B. and Marron, M. Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in the Age of Algorithms. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Planning Grants. $149,942. Submitted on 4/28/2023. Status: Awarded.
  3. Kirkpatrick, C. and Walsh, J. Scientific Nebraska. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Catalyst Awards. $2,926,790. Submitted on 4/27/2023. Status: Declined.  
  4. Wang, B. Nebraska Experiential Program for Innovative Quantitative Education (EPIQuE). Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Catalyst Awards. $3,970,978. Submitted on 4/28/2023. Status: Declined.  
  5. Wang, B. MindVerse: A Multi-layer and Cross-domain Computing Framework to Model How Information Drives the Human Emotional Universe. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Catalyst Awards. $4,811,202. Submitted on 5/1/2023. Status: Declined.  
  6. Wang, B. Quantum Approaches Addressing Global Threats. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Catalyst Awards. $4,172,881. Submitted on 4/23/2023. Status: Awarded.  
  7. Wang, B. Community Climate Resilience on the Great Plains. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Planning Grants. $80,000. Submitted on 4/28/2023. Status: Awarded.  
  8. Yan, C. Release of Micro- and Nano-Plastics from Plastic Food Containers Characterization, Risk Assessment, Socioeconomic and Health Impacts. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Catalyst Awards. $1,361,828. Submitted on 4/27/2023. Status: Awarded. 
  9. Yan, C. Improving Healthcare Access for Underserved Populations. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Planning Grants. $149,993. Submitted on 4/26/2023. Status: Awarded. 
  10. Griffin, J. and Yan, C. Inspiring Outcomes for Children through Equitable Early Childhood Education Experiences. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Catalyst Awards. $3,441,322. Submitted on 4/27/2023. Status: Awarded. 
  11. Walsh, J. Midwest Science Engagement Consortium. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Planning Grants. $113,462. Submitted on 4/29/2023. Status: Awarded.  
  12. Stamm, J. and Reisbig, M. An Evolving Field: How Sports Media is Taught to Undergraduate College Students. UCARE. $2,400. Submitted on 2/15/2023. Status: Awarded. 
  13. Wang, B. and Mcginty, D. Social Media Data Mining of Health (Mis)Information. UCARE. $2,400. Submitted on 2/15/2023. Status: Awarded. 
  14. Wang, B. and Hussain, A. Building Browser Extensions for Instagram and TikTok to Increase Algorithmic Media Literacy and Shape Attitudes toward Algorithms. UCARE. $2,400. Submitted on 2/15/2023. Status: Awarded. 
  15. Wang, B. and Ross, A. Social Media Data Mining of Health (Mis)Information. UCARE. $4,800. Submitted on 2/14/2023. Status: Awarded. 
  16. Wang, B. Gathering Industry Insights from Data Scientists to Enrich Experiential Learning for a Social Media Data Mining Course. CTT Teaching Grants. 1/18/2023. Status: Declined. 
  17. Wagler, A. The CoJMC Experience Lab. Fred J. Kelly Fund for Research and Teaching. $75,000. Submitted on 10/31/2022. Status: Declined. 
  18. Wiseman, L. Engineering Student Success Innovations and Opportunities in Technical Communication. Fred J. Kelly Fund for Research on Teaching. $74,830. Submitted on 10/31/2022. Status: Awarded. 
  19. Jones, V. Reducing Isolation by Activating Social Connections with Voice Assistants: A Mixed Methods Approach. UNL Research Council. $10,000. Submitted on 10/14/2022. Status: Awarded.  
  20. Boling, K. The Impact of True Crime on Victims Families. Arts & Humanities Research Enhancement Program. $6,513. Submitted on 10/12/2022. Status: Declined.  
2021-2022
  1. Wang, B. Combating Misinformation with a Multi-Domain AI-Based Framework. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Planning Grants. $98,139. Submitted on 4/29/2022. Status: Declined. 
  2. Wang, V. Quantum Approaches Addressing Global Threats. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Catalyst Awards. $4,822,948. Submitted on 4/28/2022. Status: Declined.
  3. Kirkpatrick, C. Viruses and the Global Physical and Societal Ecosystem. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Catalyst Awards. $1,534,474. Submitted on 4/29/2022. Status: Declined.
  4. Walsh, J., McCoy, B. and Wang, B. Climate Resilience Collaborative. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Catalyst Awards. $8,229,705. Submitted on 4/28/2022. Status: Declined.  
  5. Wang, B. Nebraska Experiential Program for Innovative Quantitative Education (EPIQuE). Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Catalyst Awards. $3,522,530. Submitted on 4/29/2022. Status: Declined.  
  6. Griffin, J. and Yan, C. Mental Health Starts Early: Nurturing Relationships for Connection, Belonging, Dignity, and Resilience. Grand Challenges Catalyst Competition - Catalyst Awards. $2,503,457. Submitted on 4/29/2022. Status: Declined.  
  7. Wiseman, L. Real-World Hands-on Activities from the Field: Interviews with Tech Comm Pros II. CTT Pedagogic Intervention Grants. $1,000. Status: Approved. 
  8. Schock, C. ACES: The Society of Editing. CTT Undergraduate Experiential Learning Project Grant. $1,000. Submitted on 2/1/2022. Status: Declined.  
  9. Kirkpatrick, C. #NarcanSavesLives: Using social media to encourage Narcan purchase and reduce death from opioid overdose. Collaboration Initiative Team Formation and Publication Grant. $7,500. Submitted on 1/14/2022. Status: Approved. 
2020-2021
  1. Walsh, J. Language Choices in the Media: Editing and writing for inclusion and equity. CTT Pedagogic Intervention Grants. $1,000. Submitted on 4/30/2021. Status: Approved. 
  2. Jones, V. Privacy vs. Convenience: How Much Are We Willing to Give to the Internet?. CTT Incubation Fund Grants, $1,000. Submitted on 4/30/2021. Status: Approved.  
  3. Wiseman, L. Equity in the Field: Interviews with Tech Comm Pros. CTT Pedagogic Intervention Grants. $1,000. Submitted on 4/29/2021. Status: Approved. 
  4. Krcmarik, K. Co-Creating Curriculum Change: Using Student Centered Design to Increase Student Success Rates for Underrepresented Populations. CTT Student-Faculty Collaboration Grant. $1,000. Submitted on 4/26/2021. Status: Approved. 
  5. Jones, V. and Yan, C. Reducing loneliness in aging adults with mild cognitive impairment through smart assistant-powered technology: Testing intervention efficacy, optimal delivery modality, & mediation pathway. Collaboration Initiative (2020-2021 RFA)-Preliminary Data and Application Preparation Grants. $40,000. Submitted on 1/11/2021. Status: Awarded.  
  6. Graves, C. Death in the Foothills: Love, loss and murder in Appalachia. UNL Research Council. $7,500. 10/11/2020. Status: Awarded.  
  7. Hachtmann, F. Brands and COVID-19: An Industry Perspective. UNL Research Council. $7,500. Submitted on 10/8/2020. Status: Declined. 

[i]Obtained from the HR portal report for Org Unit 50000908, employee subgroups J1 and K1.

[ii] Obtained from NuRamp grant activity between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.

[iii] Obtained from NuRamp grant activity between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024.

[iv] Pulled from the College’s 2023 Annual Report and includes publications from calendar year 2023.

[v] Obtained from the administrative associate. 

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