Your research and creative activity have the potential to direct and influence the future of your profession for years to come, and high-impact research and creative activity are especially encouraged. While the rewards of publication and creative activity can be great, they can also pose some of the greatest challenges. Over the coming year, you will be asked to develop an agenda for your research and creative activity—a plan of action that will facilitate the production of quality, scholarly research and creative activity during your first five years. The attached documents and discussion points may help you identify current skills and interests, available training and resources, and strategies for you to begin your own professional advancement.

• ASA Research Committee proposal forms: http://www.siu.edu/~asa. Go to Faculty and Staff/Research Committee Proposal Guidelines.

• Research and creative activity interests—discovery, integration, collaboration, and pedagogy
• Developing an area of expertise
• Collaborating to enhance success
• Grant writing and funding (internal and external)
• ORDA (http://www.siu.edu/orda) and other campus resources
• Developing familiarity with professional organizations, conferences, and journals
• Additional strategies for success (i.e., networking, avoiding procrastination, distributing research activities over time in lieu of becoming overwhelmed with multiple projects at one time, etc.)

Tasks

• Submit one paper for presentation, or creative activity for exhibition, at a professional conference
• Submit one peer-reviewed manuscript for publication
• Develop first year objectives (see suggested plan)
• Draft a five-year research and creative activity plan (i.e., research or creative interests and direction at minimum)