Georgia Tech is in the early stages of its national search for its next Executive Vice President for Research (EVPR) to succeed Dr. Chaouki Abdallah, who is leaving the Institute after he has been named the new president of the Lebanese American University in Beirut.

A virtual “Town Hall” held on Sept. 10, brought GTRI employees together to discuss key qualities and priorities they hope the new EVPR will bring to the role. The Town Hall, part of a broader engagement process, was organized by Georgia Tech’s EVPR Search Committee, chaired by College of Sciences Dean Susan Lozier, in collaboration with the Chicago- and London-based executive search firm WittKieffer. The session was designed to ensure that the unique challenges and needs of GTRI, the applied research arm of Georgia Tech, are considered as part of the EVPR selection process.

The attendees of the virtual meeting emphasized the distinct relationship between GTRI and Georgia Tech’s academic research enterprise, while also noting the critical role the EVPR will play in managing that dynamic. One participant stressed the need for the new EVPR to understand the intricacies of GTRI’s relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), which accounts for roughly 90 percent of GTRI’s research funding. “Almost all of our work is DoD-related,” a speaker noted, emphasizing the importance of selecting an EVPR who has or can obtain security clearance, and who comprehends the operational nuances of University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), which GTRI is the send-largest of 15 in the U.S.

Another common theme was the operational pace differences between GTRI and academic units at Georgia Tech. While GTRI has close collaborations with the academic side, several attendees pointed out that GTRI often operates under tighter timelines. This creates challenges, especially in areas such as hiring and project initiation, where a slower academic process can create bottlenecks. One GTRI researcher highlighted, "We’re competing with industry, and a slow hiring process puts us at a disadvantage. The new EVPR must address this imbalance.”

The priorities for the new EVPR, as voiced by several speakers, centered on integrating the support systems between GTRI and the rest of Georgia Tech. A member of GTRI’s administrative team pointed to issues with IT systems, where GTRI’s higher level of cybersecurity, needed for compliance with DoD requirements, creates technical barriers to communication with other units at Georgia Tech. “Our systems are separate, making it difficult for GTRI and Georgia Tech administrators to collaborate efficiently,” the participant shared, suggesting that addressing these technical gaps should be a key focus for the new EVPR.

There was also broad agreement on the need for the EVPR to be a champion for GTRI’s unique mission while fostering deeper collaboration with Georgia Tech’s academic units. GTRI’s involvement in both classified and competitive academic research requires an EVPR who can manage these dual aspects. “The new EVPR should help align these efforts, making sure we maintain our role as a key DoD partner while continuing to build our ties with the academic community,” one participant commented.

Finally, participants emphasized the need for the next EVPR to advocate for the resources and infrastructure required to support GTRI’s future growth. A speaker noted the significant expansion of GTRI’s work under the UARC contract, stressing the importance of securing adequate support staff to manage this growth. Another participant added, “We’ve had issues with retention in key support roles, and it’s something the EVPR must address.”

As Georgia Tech moves forward with the search, the GTRI employees see hopeful that their concerns will be addressed, ensuring that GTRI remains a vital part of Georgia Tech’s research ecosystem and a critical partner for the Department of Defense.

For more information on the EVPR search, including timelines and committee details, visit Georgia Tech’s official EVPR search page. Nominations and inquiries can be sent to the search team at GeorgiaTechEVPR@wittkieffer.com.