Mission Retreat Papers

Since 1997, the Merrill Center has published a series of papers on The Research Mission of Public Universities. All publications are available online and in print.

These white papers represent exchanges between faculty and administrators who are committed to nationally-competitive research at their state schools. At the annual Merrill retreat, participants share best practices for supporting innovative faculty, building research programs between institutions, and enhancing institutional rankings.

Hot topics have included:

• The decline in support from state governments for their higher education institutions
• Contributions scientists can make in the war on terrorism
• How to build public advocacy for research
• How to collaborate with business and increase R&D dollars
• How to evaluate entrepreneurial faculty and give credit to programs that train scientists for industry
• Should funding by the National Institutes of Health be considered the gold standard?
• Should administrators target niche programs in their quest for excellence?
• How has graduate education changed as the university becomes more entrepreneurial?

2017

University Research Planning in the Data Era: Working with the Levers and Pulleys that Tie Together Research Information, from Big Data to Local Details (PDF)

2016

Building Research Infrastructure: Planning for Future Needs and Implementing for Change (PDF)

2015

Research Innovation as a Pathway to the Future (PDF)

2014

Planning for Future Research in Public Universities in Uncertain Times (PDF)

2013

Planning for Research Excellence in the Era of Analytics (PDF)

2012

Information Systems as Infrastructure for University Research Now and in the Future (PDF)

2011

Behavioral and Social Sciences as Key Components in National Research Initiatives (PDF)

2010

Sustaining and Enhancing the Research Mission of Public Universities (PDF)

2009

Regional Research Collaborations (PDF)

2008

Global Research Collaborations (PDF)

2007

Future Directions for Federal Research Funding (PDF)

2006

The Privatization of Public Universities: Implications for the Research Mission (PDF)

2005

The Interface of Science and Public Policy (PDF)

2004

Riding the Momentum of Research: Leadership Challenges in Public Research Universities (PDF)

2003

Recruiting and Training Future Scientists: How Policy Shapes the Mission of Graduate Education (PDF)

2002

Science at a Time of National Emergency (PDF)

2001

Evaluating Research Productivity (PDF)

2000

Making Research a Part of the Public Agenda (PDF)

1999

Building Cross-University Alliances that Enhance Research (PDF)

1998

Mobilizing for Research Opportunities in the Next Century (PDF)

1997

Planning for the Research Mission of Public Universities in the Twenty-first Century (PDF)