One world connected through research
Welcome
When asked why we enjoy our jobs in research administration, many of us have traditionally responded with a statement indicating that, in research administration, no two days are alike and there are always new challenges and changes to face. This commonly expressed sentiment is especially true of today's environment. Since the last time we gathered in Washington D.C. we have witnessed unprecedented events that will shape our history within the profession of research administration for years to come. The global financial crisis has reinforced that while countries may have separate names, borders, and currencies; the world we occupy is unified by a global economy. With the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, we research administrators find ourselves on the forefront of our country's attempt to defend against another Great Depression. Over the course of the next few years, billions of dollars will be invested into research with the goal of creating discoveries that will lead to new cures and new efficiencies and just as important, new jobs. The events of this past year remind us that we are globally tied together and that we are truly "One World Connected Through Research."
We are excited to provide the NCURA membership with a fantastic program for the 51st Annual Meeting. We are repeating some of the successful new additions from last year's meeting such as the Science Sessions and Case Studies and are pleased to introduce a new series of "Decompression Sessions" that will be offered on the final day of the conference to provide an opportunity to ask those burning questions that may not have been answered for you during the course of the conference. In response to feedback from our membership, the 51st Annual Meeting will feature decreasing session running times as the day progresses to capitalize on the fact that more material can be absorbed earlier in the day. Most morning sessions are scheduled to last 90 minutes while early afternoon sessions are scheduled for 75 minutes and late afternoon sessions are scheduled for 45 minutes.
With our change in venue and our emphasis on the connectiveness within the world of research, the meeting promises to be unique, informative, and educational. None of this would have been possible without the excellent leadership and support provided by the 51st Annual Program Committee and we are forever indebted to them for their efforts in recruiting excellent presenters in a time of unprecedented global travel constraints. We also wish to acknowledge the outstanding support that we received from the staff of the National Office for they not only allowed us to experiment with different approaches in managing our efforts but were an integral part of ensuring that the quality of the program meets the expectations of our membership. We look forward to seeing everyone in D.C. as we celebrate the conclusion of NCURA's 50th year of existence and the dawn of a new era.
Vice President/President-elect
David Richardson, Pennsylvania State University
51st Annual Meeting Co-chairs
Michelle S. Vazin, Vanderbilt University
Anthony F. Ventimiglia, Auburn University