UAB/TU FIRST Faculty Development Core

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The UAB/TU FIRST Partnership’s Faculty Development Core has aligned its proposed aims and activities to include each of the levels of influence described by the Social Ecological Model. Specifically, we will: 1) facilitate development of innovative, independent research among Benjamin-Carver Scientists through individual and cluster development plans augmented by a) scientific mentoring through Principal Mentors and mentoring teams; b) individual and group career coaching; c) personal sponsorship by an established leader; and d) professional development opportunities, with immersive community engagement; 2) institute an Office of Integrated Research Support to provide research navigation to Benjamin-Carver Scientists and fast-track administrative support; 3) develop a Research Community Collaboratory to inspire and challenge Benjamin- Carver Scientists by augmenting peer clusters with established mid- and senior-level scientists and community stakeholders to facilitate collaboration and team science; 4) revise and implement institutional policies, practices, and programs related to recruitment, promotion, and personal/career development to reduce isolation, build community, and create an inclusive, equitable environment for Benjamin-Carver Scientists, as well as current and future diverse research-intensive faculty; and 5) work with the Evaluation Core to evaluate the UAB/TU FIRST Partnership and for common data elements needed by the FIRST Coordination and Evaluation Center to assess impact of the FIRST Cohort Program. Both UAB and TU are committed to supporting our Scientists so that they can become successful independent researchers. We will promote their career development by funding dedicated Principal Mentors to provide scientific guidance and to lead multidisciplinary mentoring teams, supported by Research Navigators and Sponsor advocates; offering individual career coaching and group coaching sessions to reduce isolation and provide support; and facilitating involvement in professional development opportunities across four domains. We will remove barriers to success by fast tracking the infrastructure support of our Scientists and by providing Research Navigators through an institutionally supported Office of Integrated Research Support. We will integrate investigators within clusters, across areas of research, and with community organizations through our Research Community Collaboratory and networking activities. We will ensure retention by instituting policies at both institutions that reflect positive changes initiated by this program and by implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion programming to enhance and sustain a culture of diversity and inclusive excellence. We are confident that our decades of collaboration combined with our current adeptness to interact virtually will allow us to provide the support and integration our Benjamin-Carver Scientists need to be successful. Together we can create the systemic and sustainable culture change needed to ameliorate our region’s significant health disparities.