Research Prizes and Honors[Have you or a colleague won a research-related prize or honor? Let the Research Alert know.] LBJ SCHOOL PROFESSOR RECEIVES FELLOWSHIP TO NOBEL INSTITUTEFrancis J. Gavin, Tom Slick Professor of International Affairs, Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, and Director of Studies at the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law at The University of Texas at Austin, has been awarded a Nobel Institute Senior Fellowship for the institute’s spring term in 2009. Gavin, whose specific fellowship will be from May 1 – June 30, 2009, joins a group of distinguished published scholars invited to participate in the institute’s research program that will focus its efforts in 2009 and 2010 on the causes and consequences of nuclear proliferation, “The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: Past Experiences and Future Challenges.” A historian by training, his teaching and research interests focus on U.S. foreign policy, national security affairs, nuclear strategy and arms control, presidential policy-making, and the history of international monetary relations. Gavin received a Ph.D. and M.A. in Diplomatic History from the University of Pennsylvania, a MSt. in Modern European History from Oxford, and a B.A. in Political Science (with honors) from the University of Chicago. |
News and InformationINSTITUTIONAL BIOSAFETY CONFERENCE COMING IN SEPTEMBERExplore the foundations of safe science, review best practices, and promote professional networking at IBC 201, the Institutional Biosafety Committee’s conference Sept. 2-4 at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus. Register online. The deadline to receive the special room rate at the conference hotel is Aug. 13, 2008. The conference is sponsored by the University of Texas System and the Texas AandM System. |
QuotedUT Researchers in the NewsA sampling of recent quotes by university faculty members and researchers. To be included in this section, let Research Alert know when you or a colleague have been quoted. USA Today
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Research OpportunitiesImportant University Research Deadlines –NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Deadline: Oct. 17, 2008
Interagency Opportunities in Metabolic Engineering Accelerating Discovery In Science And Engineering Through Petascale Simulations And Analysis (PetaApps)
Deadline: Oct. 30, 2009 Partnerships for Innovation Materials World Network: Cooperative Activity in Materials Research between US Investigators and their Counterparts Abroad Science of Science and Innovation Policy Population and Evolutionary Processes Neural Systems Cluster –NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH Developmental Pharmacology Epigenomics of Human Health and Disease Neural and Behavioral Profiles of Cognitive Aging Deep Sequencing and Haplotype Profiling of Mental Disorders Highly Innovative Tactics to Interrupt Transmission of HIV Drug Abuse Prevention Intervention Research –DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Computer Science Study Group –DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Plasma Physics Junior Faculty Award Program –DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Graduate Research Fellowship Program –OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations |
Research Project[Let Research Alert know about your research projects.] COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: EXTREME EXPERIENCE DESIGN FOR BREAKING BARRIERS TO INNOVATION
FACULTY: Carolyn Seepersad, assistant professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering; and Katja Holtta-Otto, assistant professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, principal investigators; and Arthur Markman, professor, Department of Psychology, co-principal investigator
AGENCY: National Science Foundation
AMOUNT: $227,163 Abstract: The research objective of this award is to establish a structured conceptual design methodology, called Extreme Experience Design (EED), that stimulates innovation of breakthrough products by engaging designers in extreme experiences as part of concept generation. Extreme experiences expose the designers to modified physical usage environments (e.g., moisture or noise) or altered means of interacting with the product physically, cognitively, or through sensation (e.g., limited dexterity via gloves or limited hearing via earplugs). These experiences are designed to help designers empathize with customers under a variety of conditions, and thereby design for the types of context-related latent needs that lead to breakthrough products. A series of experiments is planned to design and refine the EED methodology, to investigate its effectiveness, and to better understand how a designer’s pre-ideation experiences affect the results of conceptual design. A two-phase Design of Experiments approach will be used to test the effectiveness of the EED methodology. The first phase will be designed to investigate the impact of extreme experiences and designer-prototype interaction, together and separately, on the outcomes of the conceptual design process. The second phase will be designed to investigate more closely whether different types of extreme experiences lead to different types of innovation. If successful, the results of this research will provide fundamental knowledge of the effects of extreme experiences and designer-prototype interaction on design fixation and a designer’s ability to innovate. The proposed research is expected to have significant broader impacts. Research will be transferred from the laboratories to K-12 students, university students, industry, and the general public by means of online resources, outreach programs, industry interaction and improved capabilities for universal design that improves quality of life. Tim Green, Office of the Vice President for Research, 512-475-6596. |
