College of the Rockies Applied Research Two Year Operation Plan

APPLIED RESEARCH: TWO YEAR OPERATION PLAN 2021-2023

The College of the Rockies serves and uplifts our community through its mission to transform lives and enrich communities while appreciating people, land and culture. In fulfilling this role, COTR seeks and encourages partnerships to conduct relevant applied research. Research partnerships with community members such as businesses, industry associations, social enterprise collectives or entrepreneurial individuals strengthens our ties to the community and validates the applied research projects as those that benefit the real economy.

The Applied Research operational plan outlines the activities and responsibilities of the Applied Research office over the next two years (2021-2023) towards meeting the goal of entrenching applied research at COTR, the direction of the office, criteria for accepting applied research proposals, and a communications plan to maintain a presence with applied research stakeholders including faculty, students, and outside clients.

FACULTY INVOLVEMENT Faculty researchers are critical to the success of the applied research program at College of the Rockies. With no dedicated researchers on staff, faculty members are the subject matter experts at the College. Successful innovation projects will require the expertise of the faculty and therefore the Applied Research Office (ARO) should make all accommodations possible to encourage and support faculty participation.

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT The value and process of applied research as it relates to company or industry-specific problems is best learned practically by involvement in research projects. Students bring the ethic of applied research and adaptation to the companies that they join. The fluency with applied research methodology, and the ability to integrate it into business practice helps to drive innovation within the business community and the businesses themselves.

VISION FOR OFFICE OF APPLIED RESEARCH AND INNOVATION PARTNERSHIPS

Applied research opportunities for students and employees support the academic vision of the college, contribute to the local community and local industry, and enhance student experience. Applied research is encouraged at College of the Rockies as an element of higher scholarship, inquisitiveness and the pursuit of knowledge.

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Research that is driven by businesses or industry groups will be central to applied research at College of the Rockies.

Research that results from an industry need ensures that projects are serving a real-world problem.

COLLEGE OF THE ROCKIES | APPLIED RESEARCH STRAT PLAN | 2021 - 2023

COLLEGE OF THE ROCKIES | APPLIED RESEARCH STRAT PLAN | 2021 - 2023

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STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2: COMMUNICATIONS

PLANS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

COMMUNICATIONS

GOVERNANCE AND CAPACITY DEVELOP APPLIED RESEARCH FOCUS AREAS

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 1: PLANS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES The applied research office mandate includes implementing and maintaining plans and policies as required internally and by external agencies. Research-related policies include the Research policy, Responsible Conduct of Research policy and Research Data Management policy.

There are four key applied research stakeholders: students, staff, companies and industry associations, and the public. A communications plan will be developed to target these groups.

The communications plan will also direct attention to internal and external funding opportunities, engagement opportunities, workshops, and required information such as researchers’ responsibilities under the Responsible Conduct of Research policy.

Actions 1.

Keep students and faculty current with research at COTR, and to convey to students that they can be part of applied research as members of project teams. Students may also have research or entrepreneurial ideas that they wish to pursue, and the ARO will help with grant writing and administrative help.

2. Develop a communications strategy to attract industry to consider COTR as an applied research partner.

3. Create a client intake form on the Applied Research webpage for public or internal submissions.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 3: GOVERNANCE AND CAPACITY Ensure the Applied Research Office and Innovation serves the community as by advancing the college as a research partner, and create new opportunities to increase participation in research and increase applied research funding.

Actions

Actions 1. Ensure the ARO is adequately resourced.

2. Establish and maintain fiscal sustainability.

3. Promote collaborations and research partnerships to deliver results on industry-focused real-world research questions.

4. Promote a mindset of applied research and innovation at College of the Rockies.

1. Develop applied research process. Includes definitions, criteria, project stages (planning and proposals, experimental design, approvals, contracts, communications, administration) and responsibilities.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 4: DEFINE FOCUS AREAS FOR APPLIED

2. Develop plan to engage faculty, students, outside partners.

RESEARCH AT COLLEGE OF THE ROCKIES

3. Review and revise research policies.

4. Develop and implement Responsible Conduct of Research policy.

5. Research Data Management planning and policy development.

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COLLEGE OF THE ROCKIES | APPLIED RESEARCH STRAT PLAN | 2021 - 2023

Based on our experience, our expertise and our strengths, and guided by client and community relevance, the ARO will develop the core areas for Applied Research.

COLLEGE OF THE ROCKIES | APPLIED RESEARCH STRAT PLAN | 2021 - 2023

Actions 1. Over the next two years the ARO will define three core areas for applied research

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