The Translating Research into Action Center (TRAC) is strengthening American University’s capacity to promote research translation for societal impact. TRAC was established by a $5.7M grant from the National Science Foundation as part of the Accelerating Research Translation (ART) program.

TRAC Seed Projects: Finalist Presentations January 10

and the finalists are....

As part of the AU's Signature Research Initiative, TRAC is providing seed funding for projects on Research Informed Civic Engagement. The selection process is currently underway, and finalists will present their proposals at the Ann Ferren Conference on January 10, 2025 from 2:30-3:20 p.m.

For more information on the conference and to register, visit the Ann Ferren Conference webpage.

Advancing Academic Discovery for Societal Impact

Launched in February 2024, TRAC is strengthening the university’s institutional capacity to support research translation for societal impact through research, training, and support - financial and operational, for faculty and students. The goal is to make academic research not just a theoretical pursuit but a catalyst for positive, tangible change in society.

AU TRAC is proud to collaborate with colleagues from across the university as well as with partners from the University of Michigan, Pew Charitable Trusts, University of Denver, Penn State University, and a growing list of institutions to harness and amplify our collective passion for advancing evidence driven policy and practice through scientific discovery.

TRAC is funded, in part, through a $5.7M grant from the National Science Foundation Accelerating Research Translation program under award #2331399.

TRACs Component Project Areas

Research Translation Training

Led by Provost Associate Professor Jordan Tama, TRAC is developing training programs for AU faculty, post-doctoral scholars and PhD students, and undergraduates. TRAC is drawing on the extensive experience of Bridging the Gap, a multi-university initiative based at American University and the University of Denver. TRAC trainings will be offered starting Spring 2025 and will provide participants with a variety of skills that can enhance their ability to conduct research translation effectively. We will provide the AU community with more information about these training offerings in the coming months. Please direct any questions or offers of assistance regarding this effort to Jordan Tama at tama@american.edu.

Research Translation Projects

TRAC identifies, incubates, and maintains a pipeline of research translation projects at AU, under the strategic direction of Vice Provost for Research and Innovation Diana Burley. The 2024 projects are:

i) Vicarious Trauma in Counterterrorism Practitioners led by Joe Young

ii) Empowering DIVAS Mentors (EDM) led by Raychelle Burks. To learn more, visit the DIVAS Alliance homepage.

ii) Modeling clinical trial outcomes with trial design using machine learning led by Bei Xiao.

Seed Projects for 2025-2026

Signature Research Initiatives: Research Informed Civic Engagement

Projects will launch in February 2025. TRAC is in the midst of the selection process which will culminate with invited finalists presentations during the 2025 Ann Ferren Conference. Projects selected for the SRI RICE Cohort will further university efforts to mobilize institution-wide research activity with specific emphasis on strengthening AU’s position as a leader in translating research into action for societal impact. The SRI RICE Cohort projects will align with President Alger’s commitment to advancing Research Informed Civic Engagement and research translation for societal impact, the focus of TRAC.

Translating Research into Action

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