The Quinnipiac Faculty Scholarship Celebration: Research Unleashed exhibit launched with a special event earlier this semester that drew faculty, students and staff together to recognize the academic contributions of the university community. With a backdrop of faculty-authored books and journals on display, the event’s lively conversation and interdisciplinary collaboration stole the spotlight for event organizers and attendees alike.

“It was really exciting seeing everything laid out and on display, and I was really impressed by how many people attended the showcase kick-off,” said Stephanie Jacobson, associate provost for faculty affairs and development. “But what I loved the most was listening to faculty talk about their research and the excitement they shared as they explored new ways to collaborate with each other. I thought it was very inspiring.”

Reflecting that spirit of collaboration, the event was a joint effort between three Quinnipiac departments: The Arnold Bernhard Library, the Office of the Provost and the Faculty Senate Research Policy Committee. The exhibit itself was compiled and produced by the Arnold Bernhard Library.

“We wanted to highlight our Faculty Scholarship Collection and recognize the tremendous work being done by our faculty with a celebration,” said Katie Bauer, associate director for collection development and management, Arnold Bernhard Library. “When we brought the idea to the Office of the Provost, we were thrilled that the Faculty Senate Research Policy Committee had the same idea. It was just great timing that we were able to bring the event together.”

The showcase focused on published work by faculty members from each of Quinnipiac’s nine schools and divisions. As a part of the exhibit, organizers presented a timeline of faculty scholarship growth by the decade from the 1960s to 2020s, noting that in total, 3,061 articles and conference papers have been published, 59,041 citations and 819 articles generated on open access. Data was collected using the Scopus database.

More than 1,000 scholarly publications and almost 7,500 citations have been produced in the last five years alone, while, most recently in 2024, there were 243 research articles published, covering a wide range of topics in medicine and health sciences, social sciences, business, computer science, arts and humanities, psychology and more.

What the numbers don’t reveal, however, is how research and scholarship help to boost a university’s national reputation while also impacting the academic experience for its students.

“Professor research isn't just for journals, it fuels engaging and relevant teaching: students benefit directly from professors' research, gaining access to the latest knowledge and a more enriching educational experience,” said event organizer Alexander Laskin, professor of public relations. “It is no secret that research-active professors, being at the cutting edge of the industry development, are better equipped to also mentor students and help them transition into their professional careers.”

Quinnipiac focuses on a teacher-scholar model that prioritizes both teaching and student engagement in research. Through the Office of the Provost, faculty research initiatives are supported by various methods, including two funds, one to conduct the research itself, and the other for the dissemination of the research.

“At Quinnipiac, faculty who engage in academic scholarship do so not out of obligation — unlike the typical ‘publish or perish’ culture at some universities — but because they genuinely value and enjoy research,” said Laskin. “They are driven by a passion for advancing their field and a deep appreciation for knowledge creation. That dedication deserves recognition, appreciation and celebration.”

Additional support is offered through the university’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs which provides guidance and grant application assistance to make external funding more accessible to faculty.

The Quinnipiac Faculty Scholarship Celebration will remain on display in the Arnold Bernhard Library with plans for a special collection featuring faculty scholarship year-round.

“The best part of the event was seeing the faculty appreciation for each other's work,” said Bauer. “This is one of the ways that a good library should function: acting as a place where ideas can be shared.”