10 June 2021
Springer Nature is launching a US Research Advisory Council (USRAC).
The USRAC was organized by a Springer Nature steering group and task force representing its diversity of research publishing and solutions activity including books, journals, magazines and databases, which included Laura Helmuth, editor in chief of Scientific American, and Magdalena Skipper, editor in chief of Nature. This new body will meet annually in a roundtable workshop format with members drawn from institutions, funders, policy makers and research-driven organizations and advise on research culture and how research contributes to a better and more equitable society. The broad topic of the Council’s first meeting will be how COVID-19 has affected research and the way it is communicated.
Jennifer Griffiths, Springer Nature’s Head of Academic Affairs, North America, said: “In times of rapid change and progress in research and research communication, publishing must evolve in step with the needs of the community. We realize that the solutions we offer are only as good as the value they provide research, researchers and the organizations that shape the research ecosystem. We are excited to launch the USRAC so we can be better informed on the key priorities of the stakeholders we serve.”
Tasha R. Inniss, Associate Provost for Research, Spelman College and member of the USRAC said: “It’s great to see Springer Nature wanting to build a stronger understanding of US research needs, particularly for faculty from a breadth of institutional types. I’m excited to be part of the USRAC that will help facilitate a better dialogue between Springer Nature and institutions, funders, and policy makers.”
Eric Topol, Executive Vice President, Scripps Research and member of the USRAC said: “I am delighted to see Springer Nature launch the US Research Advisory Council and look forward to working alongside my fellow members to address the most pertinent issues facing the research ecosystem.”
In addition to the editors in chief of Nature and Scientific American, US-based publishing leaders including Welmoed Spahr, VP Applied Computing and Video Development for Books, Harry Blom, VP Policy, Development and Strategy for Journals, and Rachel Burley, President of Research Square, were also part of the committee that steered this initiative. Membership of the USRAC will be rotating to allow for fresh insights and perspectives. The first meeting will be on June 15, 2021.
USRAC Members:
- Dr. Michael D. Amiridis, Chancellor, University of Illinois Chicago
- Dr. Sara Bender, Program Officer Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
- Dr. Angel Cabrera, President, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Dr. Susan Cheng, Data Analytics and Course Assessment Consultant, University of Michigan
- Ms. Ji Mi Choi, Vice President, ASU Knowledge Enterprise, Arizona State University
- Dr. Carol Christ, Chancellor, University of California Berkeley
- Dr. Dawnielle Farrar-Gaines, Professor, Johns Hopkins University
- Dr. James Green, Chief Scientist, NASA
- Dr. Larry Hamann, Head, Drug Discovery Science, Takeda
- Dr. Caren Heller, Chief Scientific Officer, Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation
- Dr. Marccus Hendricks, Assistant Professor, University of Maryland
- Dr. Tasha Inniss, Associate Provost for Research, Spelman College
- Dr. Bruce Jones, Vice President for Research, Howard University
- Dr. Jennifer King, Chief Scientific Officer, GO2 FoundationDr. Harlan Krumholz, Professor of Medicine, Yale University
- Dr. Alan Leshner, President Emeritus, AAAS
- Dr. Chasity Love-Nkansah, Senior Analytical Chemist, Syngenta
- Dr. Maja Mataric, Interim Vice President of Research, University of Southern California
- Dr. Bindu Nair, Director, Basic Research Office, Department of Defense
- Dr. Suzanne Ortega, President, Council of Graduate Schools
- Ms. Judith Russell, Dean of University Libraries, University of Florida
- Dr. Herbert Schroeder, Vice Provost for Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program, University of Alaska
- Ms. Kathryn Schubert, President and CEO, Society for Women’s Health Research
- Dr. Eric Toone, Technical Lead, Investment Committee, Breakthrough Energy Ventures
- Dr. Eric Topol, Executive Vice President, Scripps Research; Director & Founder, Scripps Research Translational Institute