Assessment of the University of Kansas Science and Engineering Infrastructure: Identification of Weaknesses and barriers to Research

Abstract

Describing the status of Science and Engineering (S&E) research and infrastructure at the University of Kansas requires consideration of the capacity to conduct research as well as the culture that supports and encourages research. The university's science and engineering programs have many strengths and several areas that have maintained excellence. The purpose of this study, however, is to identify and assess weaknesses, problems, and barriers. This report describes the current status of funded re­search at the University of Kansas and then summarizes state, university, and departmental barriers to conducting funded research identified by faculty and administrators. This study is part of the planning phase of the NSF Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), and is limited to departments that could compete for NSF funding. It does not include those parts of the University where funding comes largely from other sources (e.g. NIH). Thus, for the most part, the Medical Center is not included in this analysis.