The University of North Carolina at Wilmington was selected on April 9 to participate in the Organizational Research Impact Capacity (ORIC) program for 2026-28. The two-year initiative, organized by the Center for Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS), aims to help universities and organizations build skills and strategies to assess and communicate the impact of their research.
The ORIC program is significant because it brings together a select group of institutions—UNCW, Clemson University, Texas State University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Texas at El Paso—to share knowledge and develop innovative approaches within a national community of practice. This collaboration is designed to strengthen each institution’s ability to demonstrate how their research benefits society.
Five faculty and staff members from UNCW will take part in this experience: Stuart Borrett, associate provost for Research and Innovation; Sarah Gaby, assistant professor in Sociology and Criminology; Leah Mayo, assistant dean for Community Engagement and Health Equity; Sam Winemiller, open knowledge librarian; and Kirsten Wisneski, director of the Research Development Office. They represent various departments across campus.
“As the senior research officer, I am committed to supporting this team and to applying lessons learned from ORIC to strengthen UNCW’s research infrastructure,” said Stuart Borrett. “I believe this work will allow us to more effectively harness the university’s research and innovation engine to address regional, national and global needs, while also enriching the educational experience of our students by expanding their opportunities to participate in impactful, community-engaged scholarship.”
During their participation in ORIC, UNCW’s cohort will attend intensive trainings throughout two years as well as monthly meetings. They are also expected to implement an organizational action plan developed during the program. Additionally, participants will gather with other institutions at ARIS’s annual summit.
ARIS describes itself as the largest U.S.-based organization focused on research impact. It offers professional development opportunities along with institutional programs that help individuals design projects intended for societal benefit.
