Duration: 10/01/2001 to 09/30/2006

Administrative Advisor(s):

NIFA Reps:

Non-Technical Summary

Statement of Issues and Justification

The five-year goal for NCR-65 collaborators is to increase the overall quality, quantity and competitiveness of research related to social change in the marketplace by initiating systematic efforts to strengthen the research infrastructure for scientist in this area of inquiry. Researchers in this area are under-represented in the competitive research funding arena. A greater number of researchers in the field must receive external funding to generate knowledge related to social change in the marketplace and move the research agenda forward in this critical and dynamic area of inquiry. A programmatic effort spanning five years is proposed. Specifically, a series of targeted workshops is planned to assist scholars of social change in the marketplace to increase the quality and competitiveness of their research. Workshops will address successful strategies for seeking and acquiring research funding. Scholars from a diverse array of subject fields and institutions will be targeted. Workshops will focus on developing high quality research and competitive proposals related to the following CSREES

• Social change and development
• Economic development and policy
• Natural resources and the environment

The workshop sessions are planned to enhance scholars' ability to successfully acquire funding for research support. We intend to include scholars in this project from a diverse array of subject matter fields and institutions. NCR-65 has served as a catalyst for two major regional research projects, NC 192. Rural Retailing: Producer, Retailer and Consumers, and NC 222. Impact of Technology on Rural Consumers Access to Food and Fiber Products. NCR-65 members planned and sponsored two national conferences (1995, 1999), known as the Rural Retailing Conferences that brought together diverse groups to report and discuss the latest research, technology and policies affecting rural retailers. Participants discussed strategies for insuring consumer access to needed goods and services in rural America. NCR-65 also sponsored special topic sessions at the 1998 and 2000 meetings of the International Textile and Apparel Association. The purpose of those sessions was to bring together faculty from U.S. and foreign universities to discuss social changes occurring in the marketplace, and to develop strategies for multi-institutional research beyond the Land Grant University system. The result of those sessions was the identification of four priority topics that textiles and apparel scholars are well positioned to address:

• Technology and Its Impact on Consumer/ Retailer/Producer Actions in the Marketplace
• Society's Impact on Appearance/Image and Consumer Apparel Choices
• Consumer Choices in the Marketplace and Implications for Health, Safety, and the Environment
• Societal and Government Pressures for Social Responsibility and Their Impact on Consumer/Retailer/ Producers Actions.

This effort by NCR65 to enhance the research infrastructure is dependent upon collaboration among its multiple state members because the investigation of social change in the marketplace is both national and global in scope. The NCR-65 members are multi-disciplinary in terms of expertise in subject matter, research and outreach programs. In addition, each member has experience with different types of funding sources. This diverse group will serve as a catalyst for constructing, implementing and evaluating the infrastructure for research support and external funding.

Objectives

Procedures and Activities

Expected Outcomes and Impacts

Projected Participation

View Appendix E: Participation

Educational Plan

NCR-65 members will organize a series of (fee-based, self-supporting) workshops to be led by professional consultants. Evaluation of the impact of the workshop series will include pre-workshop and post-workshop assessments to test knowledge gained through workshop attendance. Follow-up contact with each of the workshop participants will be conducted by NCR-65 members over the five year period.

Organization/Governance

The recommended Standard Governance for multistate research activities include the election of a Chair, a Chair-elect, and a Secretary. All officers are to be elected for at least two-year terms to provide continuity. Administrative guidance will be provided by an assigned Administrative Advisor and a CSREES Representative.

Literature Cited

Attachments

Land Grant Participating States/Institutions

CO, IA, MN, ND, OH, SD, TN

Non Land Grant Participating States/Institutions

University of North Texas