Mission

The mission of Research, Economic Development and Innovation (REDI) is to serve and support faculty and student research and scholarship, serve as an agent and advocate for faculty and student interests, and locate and secure resources, partnerships and collaborations that will move JMU’s vision and mission forward.

Our Approach

Research, Economic Development and Innovation (REDI) utilizes an interdisciplinary and applied approach in order to facilitate the engagement of faculty, staff and students to develop solutions to institutional and real-world problems. An enterprise-wide research agenda guides the strategic objectives of academic initiatives and illustrates the value placed on collaboration and creative endeavors to address major issues facing society while enhancing regional economic development. REDI is spearheading the creation of an innovation ecosystem that balances academic program excellence with cutting-edge research.

To fulfill its goals and objectives while raising the visibility of JMU as an engaged university throughout Virginia, Research, Economic Development and Innovation and its offices have worked in concert to develop and implement a more structured approach to increasing private and public sector collaborations and partnerships in the areas of research development, innovation, federal relations, entrepreneurship and economic development. This approach captures strategies that will:

1. Increase collaborations and partnerships between faculty, other universities, community and industry

2. Raise our presence and influence with Virginia’s Congressional Delegation and key Federal officials through targeted collaborations

3. Identify JMU as an economic engine working in partnership with various local and state agencies in the Shenandoah Valley and throughout the Commonwealth to improve the economy of the region

4. Increase advocacy with national organizations focused on public and research policies, science and technology and economic development

5. Foster the creation of university network(s) of researchers across Virginia and between academic institutions

6. Expand international scholarly engagement

7. Increase proposal development across the institution focusing on departments that have traditionally not been involved in sponsored projects

8. Recruit various stakeholders both regionally and across the Commonwealth that will work alongside JMU to advance opportunities for success and national recognition

9. Better identify innovations at JMU and external opportunities that have potential for funding and/or commercialization.

Support of Inclusive Excellence in Research, Economic Development and Innovation 

Like many units at James Madison University, Research, Economic Development and Innovation is engaged in the university's commitment to racial equity. The President's Task Force on Racial Equity recently recommended the distribution of a racial equity tools glossary, which provides shared language for our community to use in our scholarship and work related to inclusive excellence.