Applied Research at Jefferson
Applied Research is a form of systematic inquiry involving the practical integration and application of accumulated theory, knowledge and technology toward a targeted purpose. This includes transdisciplinary combinations of theories, methodologies and epistemologies taken from the humanities, social science, natural science, engineering, fine art, design, business, and many other disciplines. Applied research often focuses on the application and integration of existing theory, knowledge and technology. Applied Research addresses normative ethical and social questions about how we ought to change our world or solve specific problems. It develops technologies or techniques to alter natural or man-made phenomena to solve specific problems.
Applied Research
- Addresses normative ethical and social questions of how we ought to change our world or solve specific problems.
- Accesses and uses accumulated theories, knowledge, methods, and techniques, in order to solve a specific, practical problems.
- Develops technologies or techniques to alter natural phenomena to solve specific problems.
At Jefferson, applied research projects are integrated into our curriculum. Working with industry partners and faculty, students work together to provide targeted deliverables; applying their knowledge, skills and research to the project at hand. Jefferson is also a member of multiple consortiums; giving our students access to many hands-on experiences and networking opportunities within their industry.
Message from the Associate Provost
The new Jefferson is a professional university that is dedicated to a collaborative, transdisciplinary and interprofessional approach to learning and research that offers a vibrant and expandable platform for higher education.
The Jefferson research mission is to advance our current understanding and knowledge in order to improve lives, reimagine discovery, and create value for all who participate in research activities. Jefferson will achieve this mission by creating an environment that nurtures and supports all research stakeholders and promotes an inclusive culture of innovation and scholarship. We commit to identifying and supporting the discovery, application and integration of knowledge with the highest levels of integrity and accountability.
As Associate Provost for Applied Research I look forward to working with our faculty, staff and students to develop programs and services that support our applied research community as they pursue scholarship in a wide range of disciplinary and transdisciplinary research domains.
Ronald G. Kander, PhD
Associate Provost for Applied Research
Dean, Kanbar College of Design, Engineering & Commerce
Some Current Industry Partners/Affiliations
- Ecofibre
- Tenneco
- Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA)
- National Institute of Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRIT)
- Georgia Pacific
- Sunbrella
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU)
Projects
Faculty, Staff, and Students look for opportunities to put their skills, technology , and know-how to practical use. This is done through externally-funded research projects, internally-funded grants, and student projects.
Improving Food Quality
- This research is supported by a competitive grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and aims to establish a foundational Understanding of some key chemical metrics of both traditional and nitro-infused cold brew coffees.
- The goal of this new research is to educate the coffee consumer and health officials in developing food safety inspection protocols.
Industrial Hemp
- The Industrial Hemp Research Project explores the processes, applications and business model of industrial hemp.
- In just 18 months, more than 30 students from across disciplines and degree levels were working together with faculty members of varying expertise, five provisional patents were submitted, and research has been taken to a commercial level through the establishment of Ecofibre's Hemp Black subsidiary. This brand high-lights the research completed and applies the knowledge of industrial hemp into extile and product applications.
Johnson & Johnson
- Johnson & Johnson, a valued industry partner for over a decade, recently completed a three-phase project with Jefferson's School of Design and Engineering. Student teams proposed unique product solutions for administering allergy medication via the nasal passage (INS or Intra Nasal Spray), including design concepts for the devices, the medicine cartridges, and the packaging.
- The students delivered the proposed solutions in the form of digital presentations, photorealistic animations and renderings, and hand-fabricated or 3D printed prototypes of the devices and/ or packaging.
Capabilities
Jefferson houses a variety of shared capabilities for its faculty, staff, and students. These capabilities include broad laboratory/studio capabilities, product development, data development analysis, and the Lab for Urban & Social Innovation.
Applied Research Playbook
This playbook is meant as a guide to lead researches at Jefferson University through the administrative processes of on-campus research. This playbook outlines necessary steps and services available to make a wide variety of projects ranging a weekend sprint project to a year of deep study possible here at Jefferson.
This playbook has been divided into four stages of the project lifecycle: initiation, planning, execution, and close out. Please consult the Office of Applied Research at AppliedResearchOffice@jefferson.edu for immediate questions or concerns. You may also access additional information in our MyJeffHub community, Applied Research
Jefferson Resources for Faculty
Various resources are available for faculty including the Applied Research Office, RACE representatives on campus, and Hanover prospect reports.
Faculty Seed Grant
The Seed Grant provides single- year funding to support faculty development with a focus on the research/scholarship and research/practice part of the academic role, as distinct from teaching and service.
Applications for this grant are due on January 20, 2023.
Faculty Project Completion Grant
Through the Thomas Jefferson University Project Completion Grant, the University provides funding to support faculty member’s research, scholarship, and/or practice endeavors that satisfy the two following goals:
1) Has extremely scarce to no external funding opportunities.
2) Results in a deliverable(s) that has significant and measurable value in building the external reputation of both the faculty member and the University.
Applications for this grant are due on January 20, 2023.
To find out how to get involved, please contact:
Ronald G. Kander, PhD
Associate Provost for Applied Research
Dean, Kanbar College of Design, Engineering & Commerce
215-951-0252
Andrea Echeverri Amaya
Applied Research Operations Manager
215-951-5659