Oregon State University PTIE Delegation Visits UW to Advance Innovation and Entrepreneurship Recognition

A delegation of the Promotion and Tenure - Innovation and Entrepreneurship (PTIE) initiative visited the University of Wyoming April 20-21 as part of Research and Discovery Days.

PTIE (pronounced “P-Tie”) is a global movement dedicated to the inclusive recognition of innovation and entrepreneurship contributions in faculty promotion, tenure and advancement policies. Led by Oregon State University (OSU) and supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the initiative aims to ensure that faculty-driven innovation and translational impact are appropriately valued within academic systems.

The visiting team from OSU included Rich Carter, a professor of chemistry and faculty lead for innovation excellence in the Office of Research; Jana Bouwma-Gearhart, a professor and associate dean of research in the College of Education; and Jesenia Rosales and Rachael Cody, both postdoctoral scholars. All are leaders in advancing faculty recognition for innovation and entrepreneurship.

A cornerstone of PTIE’s work is its networked-systems approach, which connects a nationwide coalition of institutions and stakeholder organizations. Outcomes from the initiative are shared broadly through academic publications, biennial national conferences, workshops and online resources.

More recently, PTIE organizers secured additional funding from NSF to collaborate with the original Accelerating Research Translation (ART) Program cohort at UW. This partnership focuses on developing case studies and piloting faculty recognition-based interventions designed to increase the rate at which research is translated into real-world applications.

“Through the ART programs, we are attempting to accelerate the idea to impact transition. PTIE team visits help us in the efforts to institutionalize innovation culture at UW,” says Parag Chitnis, vice president for Research and Economic Development. “As the state’s land-grant university, UW’s research addresses Wyoming’s needs. The PTIE team’s advice will help us speed up and expand these impacts.”

During their visit to UW, the PTIE team members engaged with faculty and administrators and participated in several campus events. On April 20, the group attended the IMPACT 307 Lunch and Learn as well as the Accelerating Research Translation Symposium, where discussions centered on strengthening pathways for a vibrant culture of user-inspired research and prospering startups.

“The University of Wyoming is proud to engage with national leaders through the PTIE initiative as we continue to strengthen how we recognize and support faculty innovation and entrepreneurship,” Interim Provost Anne Alexander says. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to advancing research with real-world impact and ensuring our faculty are empowered to translate their ideas into meaningful outcomes.”

Through meetings and discussions, the PTIE delegation gathered valuable insights from UW faculty and leadership. The team also offered resources and recommendations aimed at enhancing institutional practices and fostering a more inclusive environment for recognizing innovation and entrepreneurship activities by UW’s talented faculty.

To learn more, go to PTIE and UW’s Accelerating Research Translation Program.