Faculty and Staff Resources
Convergence works to connect faculty and staff across the university to address wicked problems. We support your work with events, information, and development services. Our five thematic pillars and three convergence goals align faculty interests with wicked problems to maximize our collective effect on social mobility and flourishing.
Themes and Contacts
Convergence organizes its engagement of wicked problems around six thematic pillars. Please contact each theme’s leads and program managers to learn more or join their work.
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Artificial Intelligence
Faculty lead: Milos Manic, Ph.D.
Program Manager: Jen Allen
Health Outcomes
Faculty leads: Elvin Price, Pharm.D., Ph.D.
Lana Sargent Ph.D., RN, FNP-C, GNP-BC
Program Manager: Becca Bruhl, Dr.P.H., M.P.H, M.E.M.
Mental Health
Faculty leads: Robert Findling, M.D.
Daniel Gutierrez Ph.D., LPC, CSAC
Program Manager: Alison Breland, Ph.D.
Neurodegeneration
Faculty lead: Faika Zanjani Ph.D.
Program Manager: Alison Breland, Ph.D.
Neuroscience
Faculty Lead: David Limbrick, M.D., Ph.D.
Program Manager: Alison Breland, Ph.D.
Sustainability
Program Manager: Becca Bruhl, Dr.P.H., M.P.H, M.E.M.
Transdisciplinary Research
Convergence Planning Grant
Convergence offers planning grants for research teams that unite across campuses and academic units to align with Convergence Themes and OVPRI Research Priorities, as well as make progress in transdisciplinary research, interdisciplinary curriculum, and experiential/transformative learning. See our planning grant page for more details.
Events
Our Convergence Themes hold events to foster and exhibit transdisciplinary research at VCU. Visit our events page to browse future events.
OVPRI Resources
We work closely with OVPRI to support research at VCU. For more details, see OVPRI’s Collaboration page.
Interdisciplinary Curriculum
Through the Interdisciplinary Studies program, Convergence offers support for the development of interdisciplinary credentials, including degree programs, certificates, minors, and micro-credentials. To explore curriculum development, email the relevant theme lead(s) or program managers or the Convergence email address convergence@vcu.edu.
Experiential/Transformative Learning
Transformative Learning is a process in which students critically examine and revise the underlying assumptions and frames of reference they use to make meaning, often after an experience that disrupts their expectations. Convergence works with the VCU’s Transformative Learning program to help faculty develop experiential learning such as student research, Vertically Integrated Projects, and service learning.
Collaboratory
Convergence research and curriculum efforts integrate community input and engagement at all levels. We rely on the Division of Community Engagement’s Collaboratory platform to track and showcase VCU’s community impact. To learn more and to use Collaboratory, visit Community Engagement’s Collaboratory site.