The Army University Research Program
(January–December 2023)
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Background
The Army University Research Program (AURP) is a learning sciences research program with the aim of improving education across the enterprise with innovative projects that address specific needs. The AURP was created by the vice provost of academic affairs (VPAA), Army University (ArmyU) in 2019 to support evidence-based innovation in the learning enterprise. It is an inclusive program: one needn’t be a researcher by trade to contribute. Practitioners can be faculty/instructors, curriculum or faculty development staff, students, or research staff.
The administration of the AURP rests in the Institutional Research and Assessment Division (IRAD), VPAA, ArmyU. The AURP uses the Army Learning Coordination Council structure to drive oversight of research projects via recommendations from the Learning Continuum Committee (LCC). AURP activities are managed by one of the five LCC subcommittees, the Learning Sciences Subcommittee (LScS). The LScS serves as the principal working group and advisory body to the LCC concerning learning science and research. The IRAD chief is the permanent cochair of the LScS. Another scientist within the community serves as cochair. The charter for the LScS is available from the LScS SharePoint page at https://armyeitaas.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/tr-cac-au-vpaa/SitePages/Learning-Sciences-Committee.aspx.
The strengths of AURP projects rest with the fact that, as mentioned previously, topics can be proposed by anyone and the research is done in a collaborative environment with investigators from organizations as varied as IRAD, the Center for Army Leadership, the Army Research Institute, the U.S. Army Institute for Religious Leadership, the Sabalauski Air Assault School, the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command-Soldier Center, the Sustainment Center of Excellence, and U.S. Northern Command gender advisors. This makes certain that products or policies developed through this process have had input from potential user groups and subject-matter experts.
AURP Projects and Status
Since its introduction at the November 2019 meeting of the LScS, the AURP has resulted in nine supported research projects. The Table provides an overview of projects.
AURP Way Forward
As the AURP grows, additional programmed funding will be required for contracted research support and to transition products to the operational force. Every year, new, varied, and relevant research ideas are proposed to the LScS; it is hoped that collaborations and support through the LScS continue to grow, and the Army Learning Enterprise can produce better educated soldiers through these efforts.
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