Earlier this month, I hosted my first town halls since arriving on campus, bringing together faculty and staff to discuss the future of research at the University of Arizona. I am deeply grateful to everyone who attended and contributed their ideas and questions. Your engagement reflects the strength of our research community and the dedication that drives the U of A forward.

During these sessions, I outlined our vision for Research That Shapes the Future and how we will build on the momentum of our $1B research enterprise. We are investing in our people and programs – through bridge funding, the Big Idea Challenge, new partnerships and infrastructure – so our research delivers impact for Arizona and beyond. We are also navigating a shifting federal landscape with transparency and accountability through new funding meetings, research administration forums and continuous improvement across the Office of Research and Partnerships.

These town halls offered an important opportunity to discuss shared priorities and answer questions about our research direction as a university. A recording of the second session is available below.

In addition to the topics discussed during the town halls, I want to acknowledge a significant institutional development. On October 20, President Garimella circulated the university’s response to the U.S. Department of Education’s proposed Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. I encourage you to read his message.

These conversations take place against the backdrop of extraordinary global challenges. From health disparities and climate resilience to energy security and economic competitiveness, the problems we face are complex and interconnected. This university has a long history of meeting such moments with purpose – translating discovery into real solutions that improve lives across our state and beyond.

To lead at this scale, our work must be convergent and connected. We are aligning our research strengths with foundational capabilities in data science, engineering and the arts and humanities. This integration of expertise drives outcomes that shape public policy, prepare tomorrow’s workforce, advance technologies for industry and generate discoveries that improve daily life.

Undergraduate research was a central theme in both sessions, and it remains a priority. President Garimella, Provost Prelock and I are aligned in ensuring undergraduate research continues to thrive across the university. While the Undergraduate Research and Inquiry Collaborative and related programs are now housed in the Provost’s Office, we continue to co-lead the Undergraduate Research Alliance. Together, we are expanding access to meaningful research experiences that connect learning with discovery for every student.

These town halls are part of an ongoing dialogue about how we move forward together, across campus units and disciplines, to build a research enterprise that is transparent, collaborative and focused on impact. I invite you to explore the photo gallery below, and I look forward to building on this momentum in the months ahead.

Tomás Díaz de la Rubia
Senior Vice President for Research and Partnerships