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Research Clusters

Research Clusters Overview

The University of Michigan-Flint’s research clusters are an interdisciplinary effort to mobilize the shared strengths of existing academic departments, schools and colleges, and centers and institutes to build collaboration in areas of strategic importance for the campus and the region. The clusters are faculty-driven and connect researchers with expertise in various disciplines to foster the sharing of ideas, scholarly advancement, and inclusivity. Faculty leads have been identified around four themes. Support for the clusters and their activities is provided by the Chancellor’s Office in coordination with ORED and the cluster leadership.  Each cluster has developed and will continue to actively develop plans (meetings, seminars, invited speakers, new methods training/development, proposal writing efforts, etc) for connecting researchers with each other around big challenges, as well as with community and industry partners and funding agencies.

Arts & Culture Research Cluster

The Arts and Culture Research Cluster was created to bring researchers, students, regional cultural institutions, and community organizations together in a collaborative partnership. A+C aims to bridge existing gaps in coordination and cultivate new and diverse audiences for the arts. Such a partnership can advance Flint, Michigan’s intellectual and cultural vibrancy, and impact the national cultural landscape. The group will seek collaborative program funding and opportunities, share information, and promote artistic and cultural collaborations to elevate the arts and culture of the city of Flint. Those with questions or with interest in joining this research cluster should contact group leader Ben Gaydos.

Center for Technological Teaching and Innovation

The Center for Technological Teaching and Innovation brings together faculty and staff from the School of Nursing, the College of Innovation & Technology, the College of Health Sciences, and beyond to advance the ethical and inclusive integration of emerging technologies in education. Through interdisciplinary scholarship, simulation-based experiences, and AI-driven pedagogy, CTTI fosters a human-centric research ecosystem that empowers educators and prepares students for a rapidly evolving global workforce. By uniting expertise across disciplines, the Center aims to position UM-Flint as a regional and national benchmark for evidence-based educational transformation and a hub for industry-aligned technological innovation.

Center on Aging Research Cluster

The CoARC is a group of UM-Flint faculty, who, together with students and collaborators, are engaged in aging-focused research with the overarching goals of enhancing our understanding of physical, cognitive, psychological, and socio-economic problems and issues of older adults living in the local area of Flint, Genesee County, and beyond and proposing innovative and feasible solutions to aforementioned problems and issues. Those with questions or with interest in joining this research cluster should contact group leaders Sheryl Groden or Allon Goldberg.

Please join us for a Center on Aging Virtual Research Lounge every fourth Thursday of the month from 3 to 4 p.m. Register for the Center on Aging Virtual Research Lounge. This will be a great opportunity to:

  • Meet faculty researchers at UM-Flint who are engaged in gerontology research.
  • Share information about your current research projects.
  • Share research ideas and goals, with a possible aim for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Sustainability Research Cluster

The Sustainability Research Cluster drives scientific research among UM-Flint researchers, practitioners, students, and their domestic and international partners on critical urban and environmental health issues, ranging from sustainable and connected communities to public health policy, resilient ecosystems and technological sustainability solutions. USEH intends to be a focal point for the cooperation among faculty, graduate students, practitioners, and community partners to foster applied research and engage policy issues to improve our understanding of the interfaces among urban-environmental-health systems and, ultimately, produce usable evidence resulting from scientific publications and grant-funded projects, policy-makers can use to enhance the health of urban and natural areas. Those with questions or with interest in joining this research cluster should contact group leader Stephen Turner.

Research Cluster on the Critical Use of AI

The Research Cluster on the Critical Use of AI brings together interdisciplinary faculty committed to examining how artificial intelligence is transforming the ways we create, access, and interpret information. Grounded in evidence-based and context-aware approaches, the cluster explores both the opportunities and limitations of AI across education, communication, technology, and public health. By fostering critical inquiry into AI’s ethical, social, and practical implications, the group aims to strengthen modern information literacy and empower students, educators, and communities to engage thoughtfully with emerging technologies.

Center on Trauma & Adversity

The Center on Trauma & Adversity research cluster brings together faculty, students, and community partners dedicated to advancing trauma-informed, healing-centered research that addresses the complex realities shaping individuals and communities. Recognizing that trauma and adversity are deeply influenced by social, cultural, and systemic factors, CoTA focuses on understanding both the impacts of these experiences and the strengths that foster resilience and recovery. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and community-engaged scholarship, the cluster generates meaningful research that informs practice, supports equity, and promotes collective well-being.