Events
Interdisciplinary Innovators Exchange
Announcing the inaugural theme of the Interdisciplinary Innovators Exchange series:
黑料网吃瓜爆料Faculty Forward: Partnering with Industry for Impact
This year鈥檚 theme鈥�黑料网吃瓜爆料Faculty Forward: Partnering with Industry for Impact鈥攕potlights the power of collaboration between academia and industry to drive meaningful
change. Designed to equip faculty with practical knowledge, real-world insights, and
essential resources, this year鈥檚 focus will explore how researchers can deepen industry
engagement, enhance readiness for collaborative innovation and commercialization,
and amplify research impact across sectors.
Faculty will uncover diverse pathways to partnership, learn to navigate university
support systems, and gain actionable strategies for building and sustaining relationships
with external stakeholders. From funding opportunities like SBIR/STTR to commercialization
readiness and entrepreneurial thinking, this year鈥檚 series empowers faculty to confidently
communicate the value of their research and connect with peers and industry leaders
to spark innovation and impact.
This year鈥檚 series is facilitated by the 黑料网吃瓜爆料Research Development Institute, in close collaboration with key partners across the university鈥檚 vibrant innovation
ecosystem, including the Florida High Tech Corridor, 黑料网吃瓜爆料CONNECT, the 黑料网吃瓜爆料Technology Transfer Office, the NSF I-Corps Hub: Southeast @ USF, the 黑料网吃瓜爆料Foundation, and others. Working together, these partners can help unlock
the full potential of USF鈥檚 innovation ecosystem鈥攍inking faculty to the tools, talent,
and opportunities that turn bold ideas into real-world breakthroughs.
Upcoming Sessions & Events
Innovation in Action: Faculty Stories of Industry Engagement
September 30th, 2025
12:00 鈥� 1:00 PM EST
Microsoft Teams
Real impact starts with real stories. This kickoff session highlights faculty across
disciplines who have successfully partnered with industry to drive research, innovation,
and student opportunity.
More about the Interdisciplinary Innovators Exchange
The Interdisciplinary Innovators Exchange series is a new, forward-looking professional development initiative designed to equip 黑料网吃瓜爆料faculty with the tools, insights, and strategies to lead transformative interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and industry engaged research.
The series aims to empower faculty with the tools and resources to build cross-sector collaborations and drive innovation that resonates across academia, industry, government, and communities.
Bringing together thought leaders, experienced researchers, and institutional experts,
the series explores the full spectrum of innovation-driven research鈥攆rom scaling early-career
efforts to forging strategic partnerships and translating ideas into real-world solutions.
Through engaging discussions and expert insights, faculty will learn how to grow their
research agendas, connect with external partners, and communicate the value of their
work across cross-sector audiences. Sessions feature practical strategies, real-world
lessons, and insider perspectives on topics such as:
Interdisciplinary research collaboration and capacity building
- lessons learned from early research career and how to strategically scale research efforts for maximum impact
- importance of inter or trans-disciplinary research to research and career development
- understanding and articulating broader impact of research across the academy, industry, and communities as well as locally, regionally and globally
- how to create a long-term research agenda and build an infrastructure and ecosystem to support it
Strategic planning for research career and growth
- uncovering your next 鈥渂ig鈥� idea鈥攈ow to design an evolving research agenda
- developing successful, lasting, and sustainable relationships with program officers, industry partners, mentors, etc.
- an inside look at opportunities, awards and grants that changed your research trajectory and successful techniques potential applicants should consider
- an inside look at awards and grants that changed your research trajectory
Practical skills for research development
- how to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, business plan or manage a lab
- how to articulate, communicate, and sell your project鈥檚 vision and impact to stakeholders across academic leadership, industry, government, and beyond
- strategies for aligning research with key areas of industry needs and engaging partners
- how to develop an industry engaged capstone course
Whether you're launching a new initiative, expanding your research agenda, or seeking to align your work with cross-sector needs, this series offers a dynamic space to learn, connect, and lead with impact.