Services

Our staff guide research center leadership through three structured strategy sessions that include analyzing the landscape of peer centers, evaluating and refining center priorities and programming, identifying the distinguishing features and unique contributions of your center, and developing strategic plans. This work helps centers effectively communicate their important missions and unique contributions to various audiences. 

• Session 1 – Peer Analysis & Current State

  Prior to the session, SSRC staff will work with the faculty director to identify peer centers and determine what data would be most helpful to review. In the session, we will guide research center leadership through a structured comparison of peer institutions to identify best practices, emerging trends, and potential differentiators. We will then facilitate a deep dive into their center’s current activities to identify, reaffirm, and refine strategic priorities and future plans.  

• Session 2 – SWOT Analysis & Funding Landscape

  In this session, research center leadership engage in a guided SWOT analysis to surface internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats. The conversation then transitions to an exploration of the current funding landscape—identifying trends, potential funders, and alignment between the center’s activities and evolving funding priorities—to inform strategic positioning and resource development. 

• Session 3 – Positioning & Communications

  This session helps research center leadership refine how they communicate their center’s value and impact to diverse audiences. Through interactive exercises, participants identify key messages tailored to different stakeholders—including funders, university leaders, policymakers, and community partners—and explore strategies for clearly articulating outcomes, relevance, and alignment with broader priorities. The goal is to strengthen storytelling about their work, build a shared advocacy for their work across the university, and prepare centers to further strategic communications with university partners.

To initiate a strategy session, please fill out this intake form.

This will allow centers to participate in three structured strategy sessions led and facilitated by Cate Goebel, Associate Dean of Research and Strategic Initiatives, and Alexis Puzon, Program Manager, Research Centers and Team Science.