A new unit to meet the current and future needs of the research community, collaborators and industry partners is being created out of a reorganization within the Office for Research and Economic Development.
Beginning Oct. 1, the new, more integrated unit will combine the efforts of economic development and technology transfer with foundational research and scholarly activities support.
“It will better align with the current and future needs of our research community and provide a clearer, more unified point of engagement for academic collaborators, government agencies, and industry partners,” said Dr. Bryan Boudouris, vice president for research and economic development.
This new structure mirrors best practices in higher education and supports ORED’s strategic goal of fostering a more cohesive, impact-driven research ecosystem at UA.
The reorganization comes as part of an assessment of the best ways to meet the goals outlined in the ORED 2030 Strategic Plan. The intent is to streamline services, provide a single point of contact for investigators, and align with the needs of external entities.
Through fostering collaborative relationships with major corporations, small businesses, and startup companies, ORED will connect students and faculty members with industry insights, address pressing challenges, accelerate the development of transformative technologies, and provide a means by which to attract more businesses to the state of Alabama.