Office of Research and Innovation, January 30, 2026
Faculty invited to research identity area workshops, R&I Convening
This spring, the Office of Research and Innovation will offer a series of virtual ideation workshops designed to help faculty advance research, scholarship and creative endeavors within the university’s six research identity areas.
First introduced during the May 2025 Research and Innovation Convening, the research identity areas spotlight areas of strength and distinction at Nebraska, the state’s flagship research, land-grant institution.
In fall 2025, 30 faculty volunteers developed initial drafts of the research identity area descriptions, which were subsequently reviewed by 24 additional faculty members. Following a period of broader university community feedback, the final research identity area framework will be released in mid-February.
The upcoming workshops will give faculty an opportunity to connect with colleagues across campus, generate ideas for new projects and partnerships and identify steps needed to mobilize resources within each identity area. Workshops will be held via Zoom from 12:30-5 p.m. Central time on the following dates:
- March 2 – Transportation, Infrastructure, Robotics and Autonomous Technologies. Register here.
- March 4 – Social, Behavioral, Educational and Prevention Sciences. Register here.
- March 27 – Creative Engagement and Cultural Heritage. Register here.
- March 30 – Agriculture and Bioindustry. Register here.
- April 15 – Material Sciences and Energy. Register here.
- April 17 – Basic Mechanisms of Disease. Register here.
Faculty whose expertise aligns with — or could contribute to — any of the six areas are encouraged to participate.
Save the date for the R&I Convening
All faculty also are encouraged to save the date for the 2026 Research and Innovation Convening on May 4 at Nebraska Innovation Campus. This year’s convening will:
- Include key updates from campus leaders and external partners.
- Showcase work emerging from the spring ideation workshops.
- Provide space to explore interdisciplinary opportunities across the research identity areas.
More information about the May 4 program and registration will be available soon.
For questions about the ideation workshops or the 2026 convening, contact unlresearch@unl.edu.
