Sweeping potential of STRIDE program’s real-world applications celebrated at recent faculty research event

A faculty research event was held last month at the Barnes Center, highlighting progress for Clemson University’s STRIDE program, which focuses on a commitment to connecting academic innovation with real-world applications. The event also concluded the inaugural STRIDE ART Academy cohort, with teams presenting successful projects and participating in a pitch competition.

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Robert H. Jones emphasized the importance of recasting Clemson’s research mission as creating tangible solutions for society and community impact. At the same time, STRIDE leaders shared insights into the program’s mission and ongoing success to increase visibility on campus.

Research can turn ideas and discoveries into the methods, tools, products and services that will transform lives in South Carolina and beyond,” said Jones. “The STRIDE program reinforces our dedication to advancing academic research that will translate to increasing innovative and meaningful deliverables.”

Clemson University Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Robert H. Jones

Clemson STRIDE is sponsored by a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for ART (Accelerating Research Translation). Clemson was one of 18 universities that received this inaugural award to expand its research translation capacity by investing in activities essential to moving research results to practice. The program aligns with the goals set in Clemson Elevate, the University’s strategic plan, including research ascension.

Guest speakers, including Goodnight Innovation Distinguished Professor in the Department of Marine, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences at North Carolina State University Roy He and Julian Brinkley, assistant professor of Human-Centered Computing at Clemson University, inspired attendees with lessons on building strong research teams and leveraging innovation to address critical challenges.

Building the Future Through Collaboration

According to K.C. Wang, the C. Tycho Howle Chair of Collaborative Computing Environments, Provost Distinguished Professor and executive director for STRIDE, the program honors Clemson’s land-grant commitment by bridging the gap between academic brilliance and societal change.

“We feel the most critical success we can have is to develop further a full awareness of the research translation process while meeting all the different stages of needs,” he said. “STRIDE’s core promise is to connect Clemson faculty, students and staff with internal and external partners to create opportunities for collaboration, innovation and growth.”

Through initiatives like the ART Academy, a seven-week Research Translation 101 course for research faculty members, and support for seed translational research projects (STRP), the program fosters an environment where ideas can flourish and lead to tangible outcomes

Highlights of the ART Academy

• Active participation from 16 research teams across diverse disciplines such as engineering, psychology and health sciences.
• A focus on various areas including biomedical research, sustainability, virtual reality and more.
• Guidance from experts in translational research and collaborative innovation.

“Everyone who participated in this inaugural cohort has great potential to carry their research through the next translational stages, and the Clemson STRIDE team is here to support their journey,” said STRIDE Program Coordinator Craig Kinley

Core STRIDE partners include the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA), NextGEN an Upstate entrepreneurial network, Clemson University Research Foundation (CURF) and the office of research commercialization at North Carolina State University. As part of the project, NC State serves as a mentor to Clemson to provide the institution with training and support to foster a campuswide culture for research translation.

The STRIDE team will continue increasing awareness through events, partner collaborations and research translation success stories to help faculty members imagine the next step for their translational research projects.  Applications are now open for STRIDE ART Academy Spring 2025 and STRIDE STRP RFP 2025.