Understand Empathy
We treat each other with compassion, dignity, and respect through listening to learn, not to confirm our views.
Mission, Vision and Values
Mission
The Office for Research (OR) advances the impact and eminence of Northwestern's research programs. We champion interdisciplinarity, collaboration, and convergence, supporting individuals and promoting communities that drive innovation and discovery across all fields. We partner with stakeholders to shape and support strategic priorities and deliver an ecosystem that strengthens current activities and catalyzes ambitious new endeavors.
Vision
A collaborative, highly interdisciplinary ecosystem that empowers researchers to conduct superior discovery, innovation, and translation to benefit society, elevating Northwestern as a recognized destination for global thought leaders.
Strategic Goals
The Office for Research's strategic goals aim to position Northwestern at the forefront of academic and translational research and innovation, elevating our institutional impact and reputation.
Operational Objectives
To advance the Office for Research strategic goals, the office's operational objectives focus on scientific rigor and safety, efficiency, customer service, and continuous data-driven improvement.
Ensure That Research is Safe, Ethical and Compliant
Promote and deliver research practices that adhere to the highest ethical and safety standards, ensuring rigor, reproducibility, transparency, and ethical treatment of all participants.
Cultivate a Community That Delivers Exceptional, Customer-focused Service
Foster an administrative culture that reflects and promotes our values of empathy, accountability, fairness, community, and creativity within and outside of the Office for Research. We build on these values to deliver exceptional service to our partners and opportunities for our staff. Scale services to match the size and complexity of our current portfolio and future ambitions.
Facilitate Collaborative Research Administration and Training
Collaborate with our administrative partners to create transparent and efficient operational processes based on a common knowledge base and clarity of mission.
Leverage Team-based Metrics to Ensure Continual Improvement
Monitor progress towards delivering responsive, efficient, and accurate system-level metrics that promote highest quality team-based service delivery.
Values
Model Accountability
We keep our commitments, actively participate, and take ownership of our successes and failures.
Ensure Fairness
We build transparent and equitable processes, and embrace high ethical standards.
Embrace Community
We build and nurture relationships between people and enable connections to grow, learn, and excel.
Value Creativity
We take responsible risks and encourage autonomy to find innovative solutions and continuous improvement.