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The Impact of Federally Funded Behavioral and Social Science Research at A Public University

Explore the current state of social and behavioral sciences in higher education, the trends in BSSR at public institutions, and the consequences of declining funding. Discover what universities, funding agencies, and professional organizations can do to support the future of behavioral and social scientists.

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The Impact of Federally Funded Behavioral and Social Science Research at A Public University

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  1. The Impact of Federally Funded Behavioral and Social Science Research at A Public University Joseph E. Steinmetz College of Liberal Arts and Sciences University of Kansas

  2. My Background • Experimental Psychologist  Behavioral Neuroscientist • Post-doctoral training • Indiana U. faculty member • Psychology department chair • Dean of Liberal Arts and Science

  3. What is the current state of Social and Behavioral Sciences in Higher Education? • Remain popular undergraduate and graduate majors • About 1/3 faculty in College are social or behavioral science researchers • Undergraduate research interests are at all time high

  4. Trends in BSSR at Public Institutions of Higher Education • Growing number of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary efforts underway • Decline in funding for BSSR • Increased participation of behavioral and social scientist in life science research

  5. Consequences of Decline in Funding of BSSR • Consequence of tenure • Finding support to keep investigators going • Disappearance of important areas of study? • Decrease in intellectual variety and diversity in the academy • Decision making concerning where to invest faculty development funds?

  6. What should Universities do? • Interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary developments • Encourage departments and programs to innovate and continue to develop • Prepare undergraduate and graduate students • Seed innovative research approaches • Build “group-based” university infrastructure • Make sure technology transfer offices represent BSSR

  7. What should funding agencies and professional organization do? • Recognize that social and behavioral science include topics not related to biomedicine • Provide more funding and avenues for career change and career “retooling” • Continue to fund undergraduate programs • Teach faculty how to deal with media and get the message out; continue intense lobbying efforts • Prioritize funding for interdisciplinary training • Work with university administrators who make budgetary decisions.

  8. Thanks! Future Behavioral and Social Scientist?

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