Enhancing your Extension program through a strong research program, and vice versa

Abstract Text: Faculty with split appointments are successful in conducting joint research and Extension programs. Successful integration of research and Extension responsibilities may appear daunting at first, however issue relevance provides a strong foundation for both resulting impact and funding, alike. Thus, a well-funded research program contributes to impact-driven Extension programming. Similarly, an Extension program that is based on solid needs assessments integrates seamlessly into research support to develop and implement solutions. Perhaps the biggest challenge is finding a balance between research and Extension efforts. Expectations can appear overwhelming in that each responsibility, research and Extension, could be a full-time effort. Without clear goals and objectives, faculty can spend considerable time on Extension activities that don’t result in measureable impact at the expense of demonstrating a research trajectory and scholarship needed for promotion. To avoid this pitfall, faculty should carefully and deliberately plan their time and activities such that the research and Extension programs complement each other and build upon the other. This begins with an assessment of stakeholder needs and how identified needs tie to fundable research questions that translate into implementable solutions. Through constant and deliberate focus on the interconnectedness of a research and Extension program, faculty can balance a split appointment and achieve intended outcomes and scholarly outputs that lead to promotion in the academic system.

Keywords: Impact, outcome, output, scholarship