May 4, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Nebraska Innovation Campus
All UNL faculty are invited to attend the 2026 Research and Innovation Convening at Nebraska Innovation Campus. The R&I 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.
Additional details will be added as they become available. We look forward to an exciting day of community and collaboration.
Agenda
Event agenda
Morning session
7:30–8:30 a.m.
Optional breakfast and networking
8:30–9:00 a.m.
Welcome and opening remarks
Jen Nelson
Interim vice chancellor for research and innovation
Kathy Ankerson
Interim chancellor
9:00–9:30 a.m.
Research identity area report-outs
9:30–9:45 a.m.
Break and activity
9:45–10:45 a.m.
Resource mobilization panel discussion
Tony Boccanfuso
Executive director, University Industry Demonstration Partnership
Brian Hastings
President and chief executive officer, University of Nebraska Foundation
Kei Koizumi
Principal deputy director for policy, Office of Science and Technology Policy
Kathleen Lodl
Associate dean and state 4-H program administrator, Nebraska Extension
11:00 a.m.–noon
Breakout activities
Afternoon session
Noon–1:15 p.m.
Lunch and cross-cutting areas
1:15–1:30 p.m.
Break
1:30–2:45 p.m.
External partners panel discussion
Aaron Dominguez
executive vice president and provost, The Catholic University of America; and vice chair, National Science Board.
Alan Dostal
Nebraska Public Power District
Jeff Raikes
Co-founder, Raikes Foundation
2:45–3:00 p.m.
Break
3:00–4:15 p.m.
Breakout activities
4:15–4:30 p.m.
Break
4:30–5:00 p.m.
Resources discussion
