Building and Sustaining a Research Culture

Plenty of research tells us that culture is the most essential ingredient in a healthy organization, yet there are many colleagues who wonder whether research has a healthy place in their campus cultures. The reflections here—originally offered during a discussion at the CCCU's International Forum in 2022—offer some suggestions for nurturing the place of research on campus. Throughout, an assumption is made that students will be the beneficiaries of a robust scholarly culture. They will live in a community where a spirit of inquiry enriches teaching and a longing for knowledge and understanding enhances faith and service. Additionally, a case is made for research as a vital part of a Christian academic community—a perspective many colleagues share, even amid the tensions over how to pursue it.