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The Nevada System of Higher Education's master plan for higher education includes an improved and discrete mission differentiation for its member institutions. As part of that process, as well as internal planning initiatives, UNLV's senior leadership has been working with a broad and diverse group of approximately 150 faculty members to identify major research strengths that characterize the contribution of UNLV to Nevada and the nation. The UNLV process has identified a number of Macrothemes or clusters that effectively describe current and emerging academic research strengths on the campus. Many of those macrothemes illustrate the interdisciplinary research on campus and the ways that UNLV is working with members of the community. The process that led to the identification and development of the Macrothemes began during the 2000-2001 academic year when President Harter called a series of "Think-Tank" sessions with faculty and administrators, mainly from the Colleges of Science and Engineering. Those sessions were designed to explore emerging research opportunities for UNLV. Subsequently, at the Provost's Planning Retreat for the Academic Council in the summer of 2001, the concept of Macrothemes was discussed and the number of themes expanded. Since that time, the Macrothemes have been further defined through faculty input and campus discussion. The Macrothemes listed in this document will evolve and may grow in number as the institution expands and the research interests of the faculty evolve. The list of Macrothemes and their descriptions will continue to be a work in progress in the future. The following Macrothemes have emerged from campus discussions: I. Hospitality, Gaming, Tourism, Recreation, and Entertainment Management; Entertainment and Convention Technologies Hospitality, Gaming, Tourism, Recreation and Entertainment Management; Entertainment and Convention Technologies analyzes how current and emerging technologies are used to support operations in hospitality management and the performing arts. These activities include efforts in the entertainment industry involving the design and control of lighting systems, robotics and animatronics; development of control systems; and the use of virtual reality to enhance entertainment value. Examples of current partnerships with UNLV include the Entertainment Development Corporation and Citibank's support of the Professional Film Crew Training Program and Westwood/Viacom's support of research in the creative use of computer technology in the arts and architecture.
II. Arid Lands Environmental Science, Policy, and Engineering Arid Lands Environmental Science, Policy and Engineering represents interdisciplinary research that focuses on the Mojave Desert and, by extension, to all arid lands in the world in order to assess the effects of expanding urbanization and increased population on fragile desert environments. Examples of UNLV research efforts include critical analysis of seismic risk in the Las Vegas Valley, biotechnology programs for experimental propagation of exotic plant species, organically produced new chemical and biological sensors for environmental pollutants, and watershed management as a tool to reduce flood-hazard potential.
III. Language, Literacy, Literature, and Communications Language, Literacy, Literature and Communication combines the fundamental elements that form the basis of human communication, the transmission of knowledge, and the vehicles through which new knowledge is created and disseminated. This involves exploring the concept of literacy in its many applications; improving the quality of life by encouraging literacy and language fluency; promoting literate citizens with the ability to identify, assess, critically evaluate and use information in its various formats; ensuring the availability and creation of literature; helping individuals understand cultural differences by improving communication; and preparing professional communicators who effectively use a variety of media. Research and creative activities include programs such as the International Institute of Modern Letters, the English Language Center, the Arnold Shaw Center for Popular Music, the Literacy Development Program, and television and radio productions in the Hank Greenspun School of Communication.
IV. Social and Urban Issues: Outreach and Collaborations Social and Urban Issues: Outreach and Collaborations works with and in a diverse community to address critical social and urban problems. The goal of this effort is to reach out to and collaborate with community partners to identify and solve social and urban problems, focusing on issues such as child welfare, provision of health services, urban growth and development, public leadership, assessment of public programs and projects, and criminal justice practices. Examples of UNLV's efforts in this area include the Animal Shelter Program; Nevada Institute for Children; the Center for Individual, Couple, and Family Counseling; Metro Mental Health Task Force; and the Safe Communities Partnership.
V. Informatics (Information, Data, and Communication Technology) Informatics focuses on the convergence of information, data, and communications technology. This convergence is evident in integrated personal devices for telephone and video communication that are reshaping society in electronic communication as well as entertainment, health, and lifestyle changes. New developments are driven by computing and information science and are becoming essential within virtually all academic disciplines and sectors of society. Examples of this kind of research and creative activities include the use of computer graphics in media and film, information overload and data visualization, electronic journals, information security, synthesis of bio- and information technology in smart chips that detect toxic substances, use of geographical information systems (GIS) to improve local and regional planning, remote consultation and diagnosis in medicine and dentistry (telemedicine) enabled by Internet2, and data mining to unravel behaviors so complex that computer processing is the only means to achieve understanding.
VI. Analysis and Preservation of History, Culture, and Society The Analysis and Preservation of History, Culture, and Society analyzes and documents social, cultural, economic, and historical patterns enhancing our ability to understand the past, present, and future. These programs emphasize the collection of data and the subsequent management/archiving of that data. Examples of current programs include the Women's Research Institute of Nevada; oral history projects about Las Vegas, Lake Mead, Nevada Veterans, Nevada Women, and the Nevada Test Site; the Center for Democratic Culture; the Gaming Studies Research Center; Nevada Desert Cultures Curriculum; and History of the American West, Las Vegas, and the local and regional environment.
VII. School Improvement, Assessment of Learning, and Educational Research School Improvement, Assessment of Learning and Educational Research provides leadership in understanding the role education and learning play in individuals throughout their lives. Emphasis will be placed on developing the potential for Nevada's citizens to be informed and self-sufficient learners living in and contributing to the development of healthy learning communities. This effort is based on preserving and enhancing a seamless view of education from preschool through higher education and from students learning in school to the preparation of teachers, school leaders, and university faculty. In all of these activities, there is a natural intersection between efforts to improve education practices, assess learning, and conduct systematic research and evaluation studies to determine what makes a difference in teaching and learning in a variety of disciplines such as science, math, and English.
VIII. Biomedical and Health Sciences/Biotechnology Biomedical and Health Sciences/Biotechnology provides a broad array of research and creative activity into understanding the causes, treatments, and cures of human diseases as well as development of strategies promoting and maintaining human health. Examples of current research and creative activity include mechanisms underlying the development and treatment of cancer; applications of biotechnology to forensic science; innovations in prosthesis design, forensic dentistry, and mobile testing of student oral health; environmental toxicology and health; and environmental health promotion.
IX. Business and Economic Development, Diversification, and Management Business and Economic Development, Diversification, and Management evaluates the factors and processes within a community that determine job creation, increase job skills and wages within the labor force, and promote development of regional industries and businesses. Research in this area provides critical analysis, business advice, and technological expertise about economic trends and technical needs to local and regional stakeholders such as city, county, and state governments; development authorities; enterprise corporations; and area chambers of commerce. Examples of such groups include the Center for Energy Research, Center for Workforce Development and Occupational Research, Lied Institute for Real Estate Studies, Cannon Center for Survey Research, Center for Health Information Analysis, and the UNLV Research Foundation.
X. Energy and Materials Science: Alternative and Sustainable Energy and Fuel Cycles Alternative and Sustainable Energy and Fuel Cycles explores the richness of Nevada's natural energy resources, including wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal, that can be used to meet the energy needs of the region and nation. Research activities and academic programs in this area focus on the development of alternative fuels, energy conservation, energy-efficient transportation systems, enhanced fuel cycles, and environmentally friendly energy production.
XI. Energy and Materials Science: Materials Science and Engineering Materials Science and Engineering involves experimental, analytical, and theoretical work on the component materials of natural and man-made systems ranging in size from the micro (organic light-emitting devices, chemically specific sensors, and stockpile and waste-form materials) to the macro (construction materials, composites, smart materials, explosives, and geologic formations). This research serves to evaluate factors influencing disposal of hazardous materials, optimize manufacturing practices, enhance performance of components in industrial processes, and contribute to Nevada's economic diversification through the development of sophisticated technologies such as nanotechnology.
XII. Development and Protection of Community Infrastructure: Ensuring Homeland Security Development and Protection of Community Infrastructure: Ensuring Homeland Security responds to the national demand for improved training and research associated with threats to the safety and stability of community infrastructure. This area focuses on multidisciplinary approaches to homeland security, including emergency response and management by fire and police; public transportation; public health and bioterrorism; engineering and construction; and strategies to ensure efficient interactions of local, regional, and national governments.
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MACROTHEMES II. Arid Lands Environmental Science, Policy, and Engineering III. Language, Literacy, Literature, and Communications IV. Social and Urban Issues: Outreach and Collaborations V. Informatics (Information, Data, and Communication Technology) VI. Analysis and Preservation of History, Culture, and Society VII. School Improvement, Assessment of Learning, and Educational Research VIII. Biomedical and Health Sciences/Biotechnology IX. Business and Economic Developement, Diversification, and Management X. Energy and Materials Science: Alternative and Sustainable Energy and Fuel Cycles XI. Energy and Materials Science: Materials Science and Engineering XII. Development and Protection of Community Infrastructure: Ensuring Homeland Security
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© 2008 University of Nevada, Las Vegas
