CLIENT EXAMPLE
Georgia Tech Interdisciplinary Space Research Organization
Strengthening the interdisciplinary space research community at one of the nation’s top engineering schools and setting the foundation for their future Interdisciplinary Research Institute.
“One of the strengths of this planning effort was how the committee managed to include so many sectors of campus. We’re very enthusiastic about space research at Georgia Tech and how it will fit into our interdisciplinary research focus areas.”
— Julia Kubanek, Georgia Tech Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research
CHALLENGE
Over a six-month period, Greenway Strategy Group facilitated a group of faculty and researchers from across the university to develop a proposal for an Interdisciplinary Research Institute focused on Space Research. We were challenged by the university leadership not to make the resulting proposal “science and technology first”, so intentionally engaged faculty, researchers, and students from public policy, international affairs, business, commercialization, science fiction, and design in addition to engineering, computing, and sciences.
OUR APPROACH
Using interactive technology and proven facilitation methods, Greenway Strategy supported this interdisciplinary space research community to develop a shared strategy and implementation model.
Greenway Strategy facilitators worked with a steering committee of faculty members across campus to conduct a year-long study of Georgia Tech’s space research universe. Our team gathered input from students and about 100 faculty representing all of Georgia Tech’s colleges, the Office of Commercialization, the Library, Enterprise Innovation Institute (EI2), and Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI).
Greenway Strategy analyzed and synthesized input from the interdisciplinary research community about their current efforts and future opportunities. Utilizing this information, we supported the Steering Committee in designing five integrated themes for a space research institute.
IMPACT
The Space Research Initiative was launched as the first step toward a new interdisciplinary research institute– currently scheduled for Fall of 2025.
“The breadth of opportunities for students working in space research is staggering. It’s inspiring, and I see it as one of the primary missions of a research institute, bringing this community of student and faculty researchers together.
The work we do in space is important for the world we want to live in 100 years from now. Space is a big part of our increasing understanding of climate change, and to improving the environment, providing fresh water to people all over the world, improving crop yields, and basically managing the Earth for the betterment of everyone. Space is going to be an essential part of any solution.”
- Glenn Lightsey, steering committee chair and former director of both the Space Systems Design Lab (SSDL) and the Center for Space Technology and Research (CSTAR).
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
“One of the strengths of this planning effort was how the committee managed to include so many sectors of campus. We’re very enthusiastic about space research at Georgia Tech and how it will fit into our interdisciplinary research focus areas.”
- Julia Kubanek, Georgia Tech Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research
“The university and the faculty here have put a high priority on doing research, and expanding our focus in space. It’s happening across the board, spanning all the different ways we can engage in making progress in space. That includes technology and science, obviously, but also security, policy, business, even culture and art — so much of which is focused on space and space exploration. The science fiction of 50 years ago is the science and engineering of today.”
- Glenn Lightsey, steering committee chair and former director of both the Space Systems Design Lab (SSDL) and the Center for Space Technology and Research (CSTAR).