2022 2022: UMass Dartmouth achieves continuation of Carnegie Research University Classification

Chancellor Fuller announces the extension of the University's Doctoral Research University - High Research Activity (R2) status

Dear UMass Dartmouth Staff and Faculty,

I am pleased to let you know that that UMass Dartmouth’s research excellence has once again been recognized—our Carnegie classification as a Doctoral Research University - High Research Activity (R2) has been extended through 2025. This is a tremendous accomplishment—out of the thousands of higher education institutions in the country, only 134 have achieved this DRU-R2 designation.

Being affirmed as a university with “high research activity” recognizes that our faculty are conducting research at the forefront of their fields, and are having a positive impact on society by creating new knowledge and by training the next generation of scholars who will follow in their footsteps. Our faculty are leading projects in areas from the biodegradability of plastics to the complexities of black holes to ways that we can help destigmatize opioid use disorder. They are exploring the role that maritime travel played in the underground railroad, how to improve remote sensing technologies for underwater use, and creating virtual reality experiences of the construction of the Hoover Dam.

Sustaining this prestigious DRU-R2 designation distinguishes us from every other higher education institution on the SouthCoast, and recognizes the unique value proposition we offer to all our students. It’s not just graduate students who benefit from our dynamic research programs—our undergraduate curriculum is informed by this cutting-edge work, and our faculty make extraordinary efforts to engage our undergraduate students in their research programs.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our UMassD faculty, whose scholarship and creative work is pushing back the boundaries of knowledge and addressing society’s pressing challenges. They are great scholars, artists, teachers and mentors, and their achievements are propelling UMass Dartmouth forward. And I know these achievements would not be possible without our dedicated staff in all of our colleges, schools and units. I’m also grateful to our Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ram Balasubramanian, whose passionate advocacy of our research enterprise has ensured that our faculty’s individual and collective accomplishments are recognized.

I’m so proud of our university, and can’t wait to see what new discoveries lie ahead for the UMassD community.

Best,

Mark

Mark A. Fuller, PhD

Chancellor

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth