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CAS Research Council

The College of Arts & Sciences Research Council will launch Fall 2024. Member elections were held after the 2024 Spring Break. Newly elected and appointed members are listed below.

Natural Sciences

  • James Adelman, Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences – Elected, 2024-2026
  • Amy Cook, Assistant Professor, Computer Science – Elected, 2024-2025
  • Daniel Nascmiento, Assistant Professor, Chemistry – Appointed, 2024-2026

Humanities

  • Suzanne Onstine, Associate Professor, History – Elected, 2024-2026
  • Lorinda Cohoon, Associate Professor, English – Elected, 2024-2025
  • Iván Oretga-Santos, Professor, World Languages and Literature – Appointed, 2024-2026

Social Sciences

  • Sarah Leat, Assistant Professor, Social Work – Elected, 2024-2026
  • Gretchen Peterson, Professor, Sociology – Elected, 2024-2025
  • James Murphy, Professor, Psychology – Appointed, 2024-2026

Charge

To represent the faculty of the College of Arts & Sciences at The University of Memphis in the governance of research in the College, and act as a liaison between the University of Memphis Research Council (UMRC) and departments within the College.

Duties

  • Recommending growth opportunities, areas of research excellence, and policies and procedures to advance strategic research directions.
  • Reviewing and making recommendations for research policy and procedural improvements.
  • Approving or disapproving CAS research policy and procedures.
  • Catalyze cross-disciplinary and trans-institutional research collaborations in support of the University of Memphis mission and priorities.
  • Review and inventory research infrastructure (e.g., space, instruments) and make recommendations for enhancement and investment.
  • Nominating candidates from the College for the University of Memphis Alumni Association Awards for Distinguished Research and Creative Achievement, and Excellence in Engaged Scholarship.
  • Recommending recipients of College of Arts & Sciences research awards, research funding, research instrumentation & technology cost-sharing, and professional development award programs.
  • Act as liaison between the University of Memphis Research Council (UMRC) and departments within the College.

Membership

Composed of 10 research-active faculty representatives representing the grand research divisions, research centers and institutes, as follows:

  • 3 Humanities (2 elected; 1 Dean-appointed)
  • 3 Social Sciences (2 elected; 1 Dean-appointed)
  • 3 Natural Sciences (2 elected; 1 Dean-appointed)
  • 1 Associate Dean of the College (non-voting)

Departmental Representation

  • No department can have more than 1 voting member on the council.
  • After elections, dean appointments will be made and ensure center and institute representation.

Terms of Service

  • Members serve on the council for two years.
  • Initial terms will be staggered as follows to enable continuity.

Humanities:

1 elected 1-year term; 1 elected 2-year term; 1 appointed 1-year term

Social Sciences:

1 elected 1-year term; 1 elected 2-year term; 1 appointed 2-year term

Natural Sciences:

1 elected 1-year term; 1 elected 2-year term; 1 appointed 2-year term

Meetings

The CAS Research Council meets monthly across the academic year. Award sub-committees and task forces hold additional meetings as needed and report back to the Council.