Strategic Priority #4

Advance research and creative innovation

Goal: Shape the future of media by fostering groundbreaking research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and creative innovation. By integrating cutting-edge technologies and ethical inquiry, position The Media School as a leader in transformative media practices that inform public discourse, enrich culture, and address societal challenges.

Strategy 1: Build Research Capacity and Collaboration

1. Foster a culture that values and supports faculty research and creative work, ensuring these contributions are integral to tenure and promotion processes.
2. Review and refine tenure guidelines for non-PhD faculty to ensure they adequately recognize research, creative contributions, and professional achievements, providing a clear pathway to tenure.
3. Provide seed funding to support faculty and student-led interdisciplinary projects that explore growing fields such as AI ethics and virtual reality, as well as foundational questions about media’s societal impact and historical context.
4. Realign resources to strengthen key research and teaching centers, enhancing high-performing initiatives while expanding support for critical media studies, media ethics, audience analytics, and the societal impact of emerging media technologies.
5. Attract and retain top scholars and practitioners by offering competitive resources, incentives, fellowships, and professional development opportunities.
6. Promote interdisciplinary collaboration by fostering cross-departmental research initiatives within The Media School and with other IU schools, such as the College of Arts and Sciences; the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and
   Engineering; the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs; the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies; the Kelley School of Business; the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture, and Design; the Jacobs School of Music; and the School of Public Health. These initiatives will address complex media challenges and drive new discoveries in areas like AI, public health communication, environmental storytelling, media-driven public policy, and mental health and media.

Strategy 2: Enhance Research Visibility and Impact

1. Celebrate faculty and student successes through public showcases, media campaigns, and academic conferences, highlighting impactful research and creative projects to elevate visibility across academic, industry, and public audiences.
2. Encourage faculty and students to publish in top-tier journals, present at global conferences, and pursue prestigious awards to strengthen the school’s reputation.
3. Organize symposia, workshops, and summits that convene thought leaders across academia, industry, and artistic domains to share insights and foster cooperation.
4. Collaborate with public broadcasting, student media, and digital platforms to make research findings accessible and impactful for diverse audiences.

Strategy 3: Advance Graduate Research and Innovation

1. Expand graduate assistantships, fellowships, and research grants to support research and academic development. Assistantships will include teaching, research, and administrative roles, offering stipends and tuition/fee waivers in exchange for up to 20 hours of work per week. External funding will supplement internal resources, providing additional financial support for students and advancing research.
2. Strengthen graduate support by fostering connections with faculty and industry mentors, offering professional development opportunities, and encouraging students to lead and engage in interdisciplinary projects.