Expanding your reach across the U.S. - A presentation from Oak Ridge Associated Universities

A report by Michael Ickowitz at the LCSR regular seminar

Michael Ickowitz (Manager of International Programs in the Center for Science Education, Oak Ridge Associated Universities) delivered a report on “Expanding your reach across the U.S. - A presentation from Oak Ridge Associated Universities” at the LCSR regular seminar on February 7, 2013.

The presentation covered the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) of Tennessee, USA.  ORAU is nonprofit organization which is conducting experience-based programs to provide the next generation with professional research leaders.  It administrates students’ and academic science education and workforce development programs in variety of research fields such as sociology, economics, marketing, physics, mathematics, medicine etc. Currently, nonprofit organization backed by a 105 member university consortium across the USA and United Kingdom.

Oak Ridge Associated Universities administrates education programs, scientific peer review, training and university collaboration. Now ORAU is establishing strong connection with HSE to work with faculty members and students. The first aim is recruitment and administration of faculty research programs at HSE, what includes faculty and workforce development: sending HSE faculty to research on the projects at the USA and bringing researchers from the USA to work at HSE.

The second aim is directed towards strengthening student experience. ORAU provides three possible ways of collaboration for students: 1) recruitment of Master and Doctoral Degree seeking student to work with wide range of partner organizations such as NASA, CDC, FBI, NSF etc; 2) short term international educational experience what allows for student to get a 3-4 week long training in research; 3) cultural research immersion to teach HSE students to work in international teams. In addition, ORAU plans to bring international students to study at HSE.

Also ORAU conduct a variety of other programs. They put researchers with similar interests together for one research project, administrate programs for temporary employment, organize student work international conferences. In near future it will be possible for HSE students to actively participate in provided programs.

by Julia Savinkova