Madison Reporter

The University of Wisconsin has invited its campus community to contribute to the RISE Initiative, which stands for Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence. Launched in February 2024, the initiative focuses on collaboration in artificial intelligence, environmental sustainability, and healthspan, aiming to cross traditional disciplinary boundaries.

Provost Charles Isbell highlighted the importance of these challenges, noting, “AI, sustainability and health are among the most important challenges of the 21st century.” He emphasized the role of collaboration leads and experts across the campus in ensuring the university makes a significant impact.

The initiative plans to bring new faculty to strengthen the university's capabilities in these areas. Dorota A. Grejner-Brzezinska, the vice chancellor for research, stated, “It is critical to build on the university’s existing excellence and expertise, bringing in new faculty to join current networks already advancing research, teaching and engagement in these areas.”

Provost Isbell and Vice Chancellor Brzezinska aim to appoint three scholarly collaboration leads, each handling one of the focus areas. These roles are part-time and will work to foster collaboration, support existing networks, and identify new opportunities. The collaboration leads will report to Vice Chancellor Brzezinska and will collaborate with the Office of the Provost and the RISE Core team, led by Senior Vice Provost John Zumbrunnen.

Furthermore, to ensure engagement from the broader campus community, those involved or interested in the areas of artificial intelligence, environmental sustainability, immunology, or healthspan are encouraged to complete a survey by May 28.

The initiative seeks to enable faculty, staff, and students to expand their connections and stay informed about the developments within the RISE focus areas. Applications for the scholarly collaboration lead positions are due by May 9.