ACRE at UCA Scales Back Full-Time Research, Shifts Focus to Student Researchers
As ACRE at the University of Central Arkansas commences its 10th year of operations, the center has officially shifted gears, abandoning full-time research in favor of student-led research initiatives. This strategic change signals a significant revamp in ACRE’s approach, cementing its commitment to nurturing the next generation of Arkansas-focused researchers.
This transition, announced on September 2nd, sees the center parting ways with its full-time research staff. Instead, ACRE will now focus on engaging students through various programs designed to stimulate research and foster collaboration. This pivot is seen as a crucial investment in the future of economic research in Arkansas.
Key to this new strategy are the center’s student programs. These programs offer a range of opportunities, from paid research positions to funded travel opportunities and reading groups, all tailored to give students hands-on exposure to cutting-edge research. By providing these platforms, ACRE aims to not only enrich the research landscape but also empower students to take an active role in shaping it.
ACRE’s emphasis on nurturing students can be seen in its diversification of programs and events, including the Distinguished Speaker Series and funded travel opportunities. The center remains committed to advancing the understanding of crucial economic issues in Arkansas, and this new focus on student researchers is poised to inject fresh perspectives and talent into the field.
With its student-centric approach firmly in place, ACRE is positioned to leave a lasting impact on the research landscape in Arkansas. By fostering growth and collaboration among student researchers, the center is charting a course that will both strengthen local economic discourse and inspire a new generation of scholars and policymakers.
