Tech Talks paves way for 100 new faculty by 2018

The Tech Talks Research series, started Fall 2007, provides a singular venue for professors and researchers on the Michigan Tech campus to meet other faculty in their interest areas. The series has run a number of successful meetings on topics from transportation to computer science. These sessions not only provide a means to introduce potential research partners to each other, but also as a focus group for an initiative to bring approx. 100 new research faculty members to the Tech campus.

Tech Talks is an initiative of the Provost’s office and the Vice President for Research. Spear-headed by Asst. Provost Donna J Michalek, the series was born from a meeting held Spring 2007 for non-tenured faculty on campus. “We wanted to provide a means for them to meet each other,” Michalek said in an interview Tuesday. “Then we thought, ‘Why not do this for everyone?’”

The first session, discussing computing and information studies, met Nov. 14, 2007 and was successful enough to prompt further sessions on a broad range of subjects. The series has even held follow-up sessions on computing, transportation and advanced materials. The largest benefit to the campus may be the effect of the Tech Talks series on the Strategic Faculty Hiring Initiative.

The SFHI was a go-ahead given to the university by the Board of Control to establish ten new faculty positions at Tech in 2008. According to the initiatives Web site (http://www.mtu.edu/sfhi/), the current strategic focus is on the subject of sustainability. The SFHI is currently securing new faculty members in the focus of sustainability, including three Chairs established by trust of an endowment from Richard and Bonnie Robbins. The three Robbins Chairs, dedicated to the sustainability of manufacturing and design, use of materials and management of the environment, will be filled by the SFHI along with seven other research positions.

There is a greater focus for the SFHI, however, is to continue this hiring trend for the next ten years. To do this, the Tech Talks Research series hopes to identify yearly the most important focus area on the Tech campus. “If we add people in this area, we can really make a big impact,” Michalek offered. This would result in 100 new positions created throughout the university. “The positions will be brand new—they will not be replacing retiring professors, but completely new faculty.” Michalek reinforced.

Before Tech Talks, the SFHI was in need of new areas of importance. According to Michalek, “There was a feeling that…no one had a good handle on the direction to go.” With the success of the hour-long Tech Talks sessions, the SFHI should have the focus it needs to continue its hiring initiative.

Each session has seen from 30 to 45 participants, where faculty, staff and administration interested in the decided topic give two-minute “elevator pitches” for their research abilities and foci. The sessions have seen attendance from President Mroz, every vice president, and continual participation from the Provost. “All departments have been represented,” Michalek said, enforcing the fact that the series has built a number of bridges across the blustery campus. Optimistic of the results, Ms Michalek beamed excitement for the continued sessions.

“[The series] has been very successful … there were some professors who’d never met … [who] are now learning about each other’s research.”

The next session, on energy, will be held Feb. 12 from 4-5 p.m. in the Memorial Union Building. For more information or to present a two-minute introduction, contact Vice Provost Donna Michalek.