Chapter 6: Scholarship, Research, and Libraries
6.1 Scholarship Expectations for Faculty
Scholarship is one of the primary areas of emphasis of Emory University and all faculty are expected to demonstrate some accomplishment in scholarly endeavors. Scholarship refers to development and dissemination of new knowledge or of new insights into existing knowledge; inquiry undertaken that establishes facts, develops principles, or illuminates or answers questions within an area of intellectual pursuit through the systematic collection of evidence that can be subjected to replication, verification, or critical evaluation by persons other than the original researcher; accretion of knowledge using laboratory, clinical, or other research tools; original works of literature or art, including performance, that shape discourse in or about those fields; innovative conceptualizations or novel solutions to problems; research on and application of new concepts in education; and competent mastery of one or more of the academic disciplines resulting from continued systematic study.
Scholarly products such as publications in refereed journals, book publications, research funding awards, and public refereed or juried performances or exhibitions of artistic works are the primary evidence of scholarship. Regardless of its form, the faculty member's scholarship should provide promise of contribution to enhancing the "common good" and of continued creativity. All members of the faculty are expected to conduct their scholarly research and publish the findings of that research consistent with the highest standards of ethical conduct, truth, and accuracy and with an emphasis on quality.
6.2 Research at Emory
Emory is one of the nation's leading research universities. Faculty, students, and staff pursue research with imagination, diligence, and energy in Emory's nine schools and colleges; at research centers and institutes based on campus; and through interdisciplinary programs, partnerships, and affiliations. This enterprising network is supported by administrative offices that manage related issues such as safety, compliance, technology, and grants and finance.
Over the last few decades, Emory has shown dramatic growth in research funding and associated scholarly products such as publications and innovation, income from patents and licenses, the establishment of research centers of excellence, and the number of startup companies. Many external and internal factors have contributed to Emory's substantial growth. The university has benefited greatly from a consistent emphasis on the arts and sciences, strength and vitality of all the professional schools, and interdisciplinary scholarship.
6.3 Research Administration
The Office of Research Administration (ORA) provides collaborative administrative support, efficient systems, and technical expertise to facilitate scholarship, research, and discovery within the Emory community. ORA’s priority is to foster an environment where our researchers can drive high-impact discoveries. Emory’s ORA prides itself on its strong shared interest in accelerating world-class research through collaboration, communication, and transparency. ORA ‘s responsibilities extend from helping researchers with funding opportunities to negotiating contracts with external parties and financial administration for ongoing projects while providing support for compliance with regulatory requirements.
6.3.A Office of Research Development (ORD)
The Office of Research Development (ORD) coordinates university-wide research development and collaboration activities with an emphasis on scholarship that crosses multiple academic units. Working with other units, ORD provides support and programming to facilitate research partnerships, identify funding opportunities, form interdisciplinary collaborations, and pursue awards from diverse funders, as well as mega grants. ORD manages several faculty resources, including the university’s funding search platform, several internal seed award programs, and the boilerplate library.
6.3.B Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP)
OSP provides efficient and expert central pre-award and nonfinancial post-award research administration support to the Emory research community by collaborating to seek, obtain, and administer extramural funding in support of the University’s mission. OSP processes proposals, reviews, negotiates (where applicable) and accepts non-industry grant and contract awards, aids in award administration, facilitates the completion of project requirements related to reporting and continuation funding, and facilitates project closeout. OSP provides expert assistance to faculty with all aspects of pre-award and non-financial post-award grants and contracts management needs.
6.3.C Research Grants and Contracts (RGC)
The Office of Research Grants and Contract (RGC) provides post-award financial services of sponsored projects, including award set up, grants accounts receivables, and ensuring timely and accurate preparation and submission of invoices and financial reports in accordance with the sponsored terms and conditions. The RGC website provides information related to post award contacts, the sponsored projects handbook, standard operating procedures (job aids), and other related post award resources.
6.3.D Office of Technology Transfer (OTT)
The Office of Technology Transfer serves as the front door for companies looking to partner with researchers, clinicians, and staff to discover, develop, or source innovative technology ideas that will lead to products. The Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) is charged with the duty to protect and transfer the intellectual property of Emory University through commercialization providing benefit to the university and society. This office provides multiple services to the university community to help navigate the increasingly complex arenas surrounding intellectual property rights, entrepreneurial endeavors, and business finance. OTT also provides contract support for industry contracts, similar to OSP, and is charged with facilitating all non-monetary awards (e.g., Material Transfer Agreements, Data Use Agreements, etc.) The website provides more information for faculty who wish to disclose a discovery, discuss patenting and other intellectual property issues, form a company, or engage in other similar activities.
6.3.E Research Compliance and Regulatory Affairs (RCRA)
The Office of Research Compliance and Regulatory Affairs (RCRA) supports the Emory Research Community by implementing processes and policies and providing training to comply with requirements and regulations. Departments falling under RCRA include:
- Animal Care & Use – The Emory University Institutional Care and Use Committee (IACUC) provides oversight over the humane and ethical animal care and use of animals in research. Emory University has a Position Statement on the Care and Use of Animals in Research that guides the work of this committee and all animal research conducted at the institution.
- Conflict of Interest and Commitment Office – Supports Emory’s research community in identifying and managing financial conflicts of interest related to the following activities with adherence to policy and guidelines:
- Research
- Scholarly or Educational Activity
- Transactions (including license negotiations in research, subawards, etc.)
- Export Control and Research Cybersecurity Office – Ensures compliance with federal regulations and institutional policies related to export control and the safeguarding of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
- Program Effectiveness & Assurance – Provides support for research policy approvals, vetting minors conducting research on campus, thorough investigative process, outreach, education and awareness for our researchers to understand and comply with state, federal, sponsor requirements related to their research activities.
- Office of Research Integrity – Assists the Emory Research Community in promoting Integrity across Emory research projects, as well as supporting researchers in adhering to Emory policies and Federal Regulations.
- Research Security Office – monitors research security laws and regulations as they are updated and ensures that university policies, procedures, and guidance documents are in place for compliance with U.S. Government and federal funding agencies’ requirements.
6.3.F Institutional Review Board (IRB)
The Emory Institutional Review Boad (IRB) is a research oversight committee charged with assuring that appropriate steps are taken to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects in socio-behavioral and biomedical research. The website includes staff contacts; IRB policies and procedures; extensive guidance, forms and tools; required protocol and consent form templates; links to required training; and the eIRB online submission system portal with comprehensive help content. For multisite projects reviewed by an external IRB, there are instructions and tools as well. The IRB website also offers a self-service tool for determining whether IRB review is required for your project. Faculty are encouraged to contact the IRB if interested in serving on one of the review boards affiliated with the IRB.
6.3.G Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO)
The Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO) is responsible for protecting and preserving the health and safety of Emory’s faculty, staff, students and visitors. This is accomplished by the following organizational units that function in coordination under a One EHSO model. EHSO works collaboratively across the enterprise with stakeholders from the research, education, campus services and healthcare communities to support the University’s overarching mission: create, preserve, teach, and apply knowledge in the service of humanity. As part of the Office of Research Administration, EHSO works to facilitate research and discovery. EHSO units:
- The Environmental unit supports and services Emory with a focus on protecting human health and environmental resources.
- The Industrial Hygiene unit uses environmental monitoring and analytical methods to detect the extent of worker exposure; it employs engineering, work practice controls, and other methods to control potential health hazards.
- The Occupational Safety unit partners with the Emory community to ensure safe working conditions through the identification, evaluation, and control of occupational risks.
- The Radiation Safety unit helps minimize occupationally related exposures to radiation; and it helps ensure that all radioactive materials used follow local and national rules and regulations.
- The Research Safety unit provides consulting services, training programs, and risk management support to all University community member.
- The Environmental unit operates the chemical, radioactive, and universal waste (i.e. lamps and batteries) disposal program.
6.3.H Strategic Optimization and Training Department
The Strategic Operations and Training (SOT) department is an integral part of the Office of Research and the Office of Research Administration. It aims to streamline research processes, improve operational efficiencies, and enhance the skills and knowledge of research staff and administrators. It seeks to streamline research processes, improve operational efficiencies, enhance the skills and knowledge of research staff and administrators, and manage and disseminate critical information for effective communication between stakeholders and various research units.
6.3.I Division of Animal Resources
The EPC Division of Animal Resources is fundamental to the center's mission, day-to-day operations and animal care, management and welfare. Employees within the division provide collaborative research support and service to internal and external investigators. The Division of Animal Resources is the administrative unit of the university that is responsible for programs of animal care, and includes skilled veterinarian that specialize in animal treatment and oversight, husbandry teams that provide a quality living arrangement for animals use in research, and a team of professionals that provide expert consultation on the procedures and use of laboratory animals in research. Visit the website to learn more about DAR related services.
6.4 Research Administration Services (RAS)
Emory's Research Administration Services (RAS) is a network of units that provide pre-award and post-award support to faculty and researchers for sponsored projects. They handle administrative and compliance tasks, such as budget development, proposal submissions, financial reporting, and award close-out, allowing researchers to focus on their studies. These units are embedded across various schools and departments, like the School of Medicine and the College of Arts & Sciences.
6.5 Emory Clinical Research Office (ECRO)
Emory Clinical Research Office is committed to strengthening communication with research partners, improving operational efficiency, accelerating trial activation timelines, reducing financial deficits, and increasing transparency across all processes.
6.6 Investigational Drug Service (IDS)
The Emory Investigational Drug Service (IDS) is a research pharmacy operation. IDS supports all Emory investigators in the conduct of industry and federally funded drug studies, investigator-initiated studies, and compassionate and expanded access to drug use. IDS offers a wide range of services related to the use of research drugs in clinical trials throughout the system.
6.7 Libraries
Emory University offers faculty and students a variety of research opportunities through the library system. The library system functions under the direction of the Vice Provost for Libraries and Museums to fulfill the mission: To develop distinctive collections, services, staff and facilities to preserve our intellectual heritage and advance the discovery and transmission of knowledge for students and scholars of today and tomorrow. The library website provides information about all the service and research resources. Specific libraries include:
- Main (Robert W. Woodruff) supports all university programs with an emphasis on the arts and sciences. It houses print and electronic manuscripts and journals, collaboration and study spaces, computing resources, and the Emory Center for Digital Scholarship (ECDS). A reading room in the Mathematics and Science Center building provides access to departmental resources.
- Business connects the Goizueta Business School with information skills and resources to succeed in the global marketplace.
- Science Commons provides access to print and electronic resources in the field of chemistry.
- Health Sciences supports education, research, and patient care processes for all the major components of the WHSC and the biological/life sciences.
- Law provides a strong collection and expert guidance for researchers in law and related disciplines.
- Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library holds over 200,000 printed volumes, over 1,200 manuscript collections, photographs, motion picture film, audio recordings, and other visual media. Here students, scholars, and other visitors can browse rare books, read original letters and manuscripts, and listen to rare recordings.
- Music and Media provides music, sound recording, and film collections, as well as listening and viewing facilities.
- Oxford College supports the liberal arts intensive education provided to Oxford College students during their first two years at Emory University.
- Theology includes archives, rare books, and IT support for Candler. The Pitts Theology Library Special Collections houses unique archives and manuscript collections related to Methodism in the South, the history of Christianity in South Africa, British religious history, and hymnody.
Additional Library Services
Our libraries also provide an array of other services. These include: online, searchable databases with information on full article citations, full-text articles, and references resources such as encyclopedias; support of the EndNote reference manager; and eJournals at Emory. Through interlibrary loan (ILL), members of the university community can access research materials not available in the Emory University libraries. Reserves Direct allows faculty to reserve course specific materials to be accessed by students electronically.