In traditional Oxford University Press fashion, this book communicates an “all you need to know” about being a Chief Research Officer at a research university. It attempts to catalogue the disparate parts of administering research. Much of the knowledge and wisdom in this field is broken up into different segments – like legal, administrative/management, marketing, and laboratory. This book attempts to bring all of this information into one place based off of sweat-earned experience.
Research universities drive the economies, spirit, and health of entire regions of the country. These universities are strong because they lure top-line talent to bring health to an area. Key to this strength is a Chief Research Officer (CRO) who maintains the health of the research in an institution. While many identify higher education with classroom instruction, universities generally describe themselves as having a three-fold mission: Education, Research, and Service. The CRO is especially focused on one of these three.
Interestingly, as Smith describes in this work, the rise of the American research university started in the 1950s as the federal government began to offload its research activities onto universities. This partnership allows top-flight research and academic training to work hand-in-hand. It has powered the American higher-education establishment to worldwide renown. This book is an attempt to put some of the effective practices into writing. Each topic is handled with the care reflective of a top-flight scholar.
I work writing software for research evaluation at one of these American research centers. As such, I find books like Smith’s particularly helpful in understanding the bigger picture of my job. Research is a big topic that even the best never truly master, or perhaps never even get far in mastering. Nonetheless, Smith’s precisely worded contribution advances the discussion through the crucible of hard-wrought experience.
Managing the Research University
By Dean O. Smith
Copyright (c) 2011
Oxford University Press
ISBN13 9780199793259
Page Count: 317
Genre: Education/Research, Business/Management
www.amazon.com