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April 24, 2024
Faculty and Staff,Ìý
Today is the last of my 4-week series on UAF’s path to R1. In last week’s message,
I shared why R1 is important for UAF. In this final installation, I want to focus
on why R1 will not only strengthen UAF, but also benefit the State of Alaska in significant
and long-lasting ways.
When UAF achieves R1, the impacts will be felt across the State of Alaska. As America’s
Arctic University, we conduct 89% of university research and development in the State.
A boost in our research will be a boost to the State of Alaska’s research enterprise.
Based on data pulled from other universities that have achieved R1, it is reasonable
to anticipate an increase in UAF's research expenditures in our run-up to and following
our achievement of R1. During the latest R1 classification cycle in 2021, federally
financed R&D expenditures grew by 60% for 15 institutions that made the transition
from R2 to R1. By comparison, federally financed R&D increased by 30% nationally during
that same timeframe.
A significant boost in research will have a significant economic impact on Alaska.
More research dollars brought into Alaska means more dollars spent on local jobs to
do the research, services to support the research, and services to support the researchers
(housing, recreational activities, etc). This is a direct infusion of cash into the
economy. But that is just a small beginning to the overall economic impact.
The vast majority of UAF’s research is conducted in Alaska in areas of direct interest
to Alaskans and their businesses. Topics like agriculture, volcanoes, earthquakes,
environmental change, cold regions engineering, wildlife biology, and the arts. The
information provided by UAF research is actionable to Alaskans; such as what are the
best seed varieties for Alaska’s changing environment, when will a volcanic ash plume
interrupt air travel, or when and how should kelp be harvested and processed to make
a sustainable business. Stuff that matters to the State’s economy.
While it is true that new dollars put into the economy benefits the community, and
actionable information helps Alaskan lives and businesses every day, the things that
have the most potential to have long-lasting positive impacts on the economy of Alaska
are talent and innovation. Companies can take talent and innovation and create wealth
in our economy. Businesses can take the know-how UAF research produces and create
products, processes, and services that create new business niches, or introduce more
competitive products into existing sectors. The outcome of research is innovation
and companies can leverage this knowledge to create wealth right here in Alaska. This
is what drives our economy.
Check out the in Pullman, Washington. The first digital relay was invented as part of a doctoral
thesis at Washington State University. This electronic device became the foundation
for a massive international company still based in Pullman. Schweitzer has manufacturing
facilities in Mexico, Idaho, Illinois, and Indiana. The company grew from one employee
in 1984 to more than 6,000 today. This is an amazing success story that is the result
of university research. It is true that you don’t need to be R1 to have this success,
but it surely helps. This can be our story and Alaska’s story!
In Alaska, we have the start of this story in various research-derived businesses.
For example, in January 2020, BeCool Pharmaceutics founder Dr. Kelly Drew licensed a ÌÀÄ·ÊÓƵ-developed drug composition that aims to control
shivering during medical procedures where body cooling technologies are critical to
success. Modulating metabolism and body temperature is used in treating stroke and
traumatic injury. The drug is a result of many years of research into animal hibernation
by Dr. Drew and her colleagues. This drug development done at UAF could have significant
impacts around the world on modern medicine and at the same time, contribute to diversifying
Alaska’s economy.
In order to have a successful industry, you have to have talent in the state that
can seize that opportunity. Alaska is home to incredible talent, and we want to provide
Alaskans with the opportunities and resources they need to find success and fulfillment
in their home state. Achieving R1 will help UAF recruit more people who want to make
Alaska their home, and to allow people who want to stay here the opportunity to do
so. That includes entrepreneurs and businesses who want to work in partnership with
UAF, researchers who want to work at UAF, and students who seek UAF’s transformative
experience. Since achieving R1 status in 2018, the University of Nevada, Reno graduate
student enrollment increased by approximately 12% and the number of graduate assistants
(teaching and research) increased by about 15.4 %.Ìý We want this to be our story too.
Though we are still discovering the potential impact of R1 for UAF on the Alaskan
economy, we know that the R1 transition for other universities has had positive economic
impacts in their states. For example, the University of New Mexico, the only R1 university
in NM, accounted for 47,053 jobs, $1.9 billion in labor income, and $5.2 billion in
economic output in 2022. Similarly, in 2019, the University of Colorado Boulder estimated
its R1 research activities alone produced $1.2 billion in economic activity for the
state. As a public university, we can optimize state funding and contribute to the
state’s economic prosperity.Ìý
Thank you for following along on my R1 mini-series. I am grateful to those who have
provided feedback and posed questions. There are now over 80 people involved in the
R1 Steering Committee and working groups. If you are not already involved, chances
are you know someone dedicating their time to help UAF achieve this milestone. I encourage
you to continue sharing your questions, ideas, and insights with leaders and R1 volunteers
across campus. Achieving R1 will take all of us.
Thanks for choosing UAF.
—Dan White, chancellor
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