PROGRAM

US polls show that the the public is increasingly skeptical of the value and cost of higher education. In a recent Gallup poll, only 36% of adults have a “great deal” or “quite a lot of” confidence in higher education. This has declined steadily from 57% in 2015. Issues around affordability and value, trust and confidence, and a perceived disconnect with the average American are fueling this perception. It is more important than ever for academia to communicate effectively about the value of universities to the public. Research is one aspect of this. Research Information Management Systems (RIMS) are an important tool that can help communicate a university's research and scholarly activities to its local, regional, national, and international community. We will hear from experts on communicating about research to the public, as well as universities who have used their RIM to enhance community engagement.