UW Selected for Prestigious Program to Enhance Research Impact

The University of Wyoming has been selected for the 2023 cohort of the Program to Enhance Organizational Research Impact Capacity (ORIC), joining seven other distinguished universities. This initiative is led by the Center for Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS).

Established in September 2018, ARIS is committed to building capacity, advancing scholarship, fostering partnerships and providing resources to engage with and demonstrate the impact of research in communities and society. The center prioritizes support for traditionally underserved populations and champions inclusive public engagement to foster a diverse science workforce.

ORIC is designed to assist institutions in building and expanding their capacity to support broader-impact efforts. Other universities selected for the 2023 cohort include the University of Michigan, the University of Notre Dame, the University of Alabama and Texas A&M University.

“UW is home to many dedicated advocates and practitioners of the broader societal impacts of scientific research. Our selection in the next ARIS ORIC cohort is a testament to their tireless efforts,” says Parag Chitnis, UW’s vice president for research and economic development. “We are thrilled that our participation in the next cohort will enable UW to learn from other universities and coordinate our broader-impact activities for even greater impact than before. UW eagerly anticipates the opportunities that participation in ORIC will bring and is committed to expanding the public reach and societal contributions of its researchers.”

In response to this initiative, UW formed a “broader impacts team,” with members Farrell Rapp, director of research services in the Research and Economic Development Division; Karagh Brummond, an assistant instructional professor in the Honors College and director of the Science Initiative’s engagement and outreach program; and Megan Candelaria, an assistant research scientist in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Chitnis will serve as the administrative partner, leading the efforts of the broader-impacts professionals and advocating for administrative changes to expand and institutionalize support for broader impacts.

Over the coming year, the selected cohort will benefit from resources, mentoring and community-building, as well as an intensive training and professional development series.

“Through ORIC, ARIS empowers institutions to enhance their internal infrastructure for research impact support,” says Susan Renoe, executive director of ARIS. “We have seen remarkable results with the institutions that have previously participated in ORIC, and we eagerly anticipate the contributions of eight more institutions to this unique program.”