The Research Development Academy (RDA) is designed to support tenure-track faculty (TTF) from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. Open to all TTF, the RDA places an emphasis on researchers from minoritized and underrepresented racial, ethnic, and gender groups, as well as faculty that identify as LGBTQ+, who have the potential to contribute to the University of Tennessee’s discovery mission and advance UT’s values of inclusion and access.
The Research Development Academy focuses on empowering diverse tenure-track faculty to advance their own scholarly agenda in research, scholarship, and/or creative activities in a collegial environment with supportive guidance. The Research Development Academy provides a positive environment for faculty to network with each other, and resources they need to move their research agenda forward in a focused way.
RDA is a collaboration between the Office of the Provost, Division of Access and Engagement, and the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development. RDA Fellows come from across the university and have a wide range of interests and goals.
Eligibility
- Tenure-track faculty at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; must be pre-tenured and must not have yet submitted a tenure dossier;
- At time of participation in the Research Development Academy, at least one full year of tenure-track service at UT or another institute of higher education;
- Conduct research or scholarly work that aligns with the goals of the program, or self-identify as a member of an underrepresented group within your discipline;
- Commitment to participate fully in the program and a willingness to regularly report progress and updates to the Division of Access and Engagement until they are promoted and tenured.
Program Components
The Research Development Academy is designed to engage participants in a variety of personal and professional development opportunities including but not limited to coaching sessions; a research project; mentoring; community building; access to senior level administrators; professional development; and a research presentation. The major program components are as follows:
- Monthly group sessions that take place face-to-face on-campus and typically last for about 2.5-3 hours. A variety of topics are discussed in these sessions and sessions typically include a panel of speakers from across the university who serve in different roles and who are at different stages of their careers. These sessions are also designed to provide an opportunities for fellowship, networking, and community building.
- Participation in the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity’s Faculty Success Program, which is an intense, 12-week, online-based program where participants learn strategies to increase their research productivity, gain control of their time, and live a full and healthy life beyond campus. The program is designed to transform the personal and professional life of participants. RDA fellows can choose to complete the FSP in the summer prior to starting RDA or during the fall semester. Participants should anticipate spending 1.5 – 2 hours each week watching the weekly training videos and completing the homework assignments. Additionally, FSP participants will meet with their small group and coach for a 75-minute call every week at a recurring time.
- One-on-one discussion and coaching with representatives from the Office of the Provost and Division of Access and Engagement.
- A stipend of $4,000 to support participants’ research, scholarship, and/or creative activities.
- A final session in August following participation in the program to present progress made on research, scholarship, and/or creative activities, and next steps.
Application
Faculty who meet the eligibility requirements and are interested in applying to the program should complete an online application.
Due Date and Notifications
Submissions were due by January 31st, 2024. Notifications will be sent by February 16th, 2024.
Questions
Please submit questions to the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs team at vpfacultyaffairs@utk.edu. You may also email Associate Vice Chancellor Javiette Samuel (jsamuel@utk.edu) or Vice Provost Diane Kelly (dianek@utk.edu).