There are multiple ways in which faculty get involved in CURL activities. Affiliated faculty help to mentor graduate or undergraduate fellows; consult on research projects; assist in developing new research projects; work with CURL research teams in submitting research proposals; and/or actively engage in ongoing funded research projects. Faculty have the opportunity to become involved in collaborative research projects with community-based organizations, social service agencies, health care providers, businesses, and government in Chicago's city and suburbs.

CURL has a well-established track-record of successfully-funded and completed research projects with many foundations and government agencies. Because of this, through affiliation with CURL, faculty benefit from the past and present collective accomplishments and credibility of CURL in the eyes of funders and community partners. In essence they benefit from our “collective curriculum vitae” that includes scores of successful projects and strong connections with scores of past and present partners in the Chicago region and beyond.

We invite faculty to communicate with us about their research ideas that may develop into collaborative university-community projects. We also reach out to faculty as community partners bring new research ideas to us. There are opportunities to learn of developing and ongoing projects at many of CURL’s Friday Morning Seminars. CURL sets up occasional “think tank” meetings among faculty and community partners to explore new ideas that are of mutual interest.

CURL has resources that can help in the development of collaborative research projects. This includes: staff support in making connections with community partners; identification of outside research funding; CURL research staff time in developing research proposals; and potential project start-up funding. Past start-up funding has included in-kind assistance from CURL graduate or undergraduate fellows, CURL staff technical advice, and financial assistance in completing pilot surveys, focus groups, or interviews.

Faculty who are interested in working on collaborative research projects – whether they have a general interest and are exploring possible projects or have a specific research idea – are encouraged to contact: David Van Zytveld, Director, Center for Urban Research and Learning, at Dvanzyt@luc.edu 773.508.8504.