University officials announced Monday plans to bring global research to the forefront of the University with the creation of the Center for Global Inquiry and Innovation, to be directed by History Prof. Brian Owensby.
The new center will establish an infrastructure to “encourage and galvanize U.Va. faculty to begin thinking of part of their research lives as being potentially involved in broad global research issues,” Owensby said in a University press release.
The center will replace the Center for International Studies, building on the previous center’s work while focusing on research efforts and enhancing a global focus.
“Faculty have long been involved in international collaborations and that will not change,” Owensby said in an email. “But a new set of challenges, defined by their global scope, has begun to emerge … Countries all over the world, from the Eurozone to China to Brazil are articulating research agendas focusing on global issues, [and] U.Va. needs to figure out what our role is at the global seminar table and in the global lab.”
Although faculty will lead the way in global research, Owensby hopes the center will extend research opportunities to undergraduate students as well by offering chances for collaboration with faculty on research problems, much like those offered through research experiences for undergraduates in STEM fields at the University.
“Imagine small teams of students designing research problems and undertaking research in collaboration with faculty,” Owensby said. “Indeed, the new Global Studies major will undoubtedly stoke the fires for this sort of thing.”
Owensby previously served as chair of the history department from 2009 to 2012. He has been a history professor at the University since 1994.
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