About the TIPs Council
The TIPs Council was established in Fall 2015 with nine at-large members—as agreed upon by the Chancellor, the Provost, and the President and CEO of Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Membership was increased to eleven to ensure diversity across disciplines. The size of the Council helps foster genuine deliberation among a diverse set of scholars. The goals of the Council are met by ensuring broad and inclusive representation from the humanities, social sciences and natural and physical sciences.
Council goals:
Formed in response to a recommendation of the Academic Strategic Plan, the Council is charged with identifying TIPs applications that represent worthwhile investments and demonstrate the characteristics to expand and strengthen Vanderbilt’s research and teaching portfolio.
Terms of service:
Council members typically serve 2-3 year terms, but leave and new administrative duties can alter length of service. Term expirations are staggered to ensure continuity among the Council.
Selection of new members:
Potential Council members are identified by canvasing existing members and working with Deans from across all schools and colleges with academic appointments. A call for nominations is posted in the spring—self-nominations are accepted.
Review Process
Since the inception of the TIPs program, the Review Process has evolved and developed into what it is today. Review panels are comprised of a group of faculty representing each of Vanderbilt’s schools and colleges. This inclusivity ensures broad and inclusive representation from the humanities, social sciences and natural and physical sciences.
Cycle 2019 Review Process:
- Council and Panel Members are charged – goals of the program and their role are reviewed during meeting.
- Reviews are submitted via InfoReady Review.
- Reviewers meet as a group to discuss the applications that they reviewed, identifying pros and cons. Ultimately, reviewers come to a consensus on a funding decision for each application.
- Award letters are distributed through InfoReady Review – feedback entered into the system as well as a brief summary of the meeting discussion is provided to the applicant.
Note: This process is continually being evaluated and improved upon. Any comments or suggestions regarding the Review Process may be submitted online by completing this anonymous web form.
TIPs Council – Cycle 2020
Co-Chair Padma Raghavan, Vice Provost for Research
Co-Chair Jennifer Pietenpol, Executive Vice President for Research, VUMC
Celia Applegate, William R. Kenan, Jr. Chair
Camilla Benbow, Patricia & Rhodes Hart Dean of Education & Human Development
Brett Benson, Associate Professor of Political Science
Dave Cortez, Ingram Professor of Cancer Research
Susan Guttentag, Julia Carell Stadler Chair in Pediatrics
Kelly Haws, Anne Marie and Thomas B. Walker Jr. Chair
Nancy King, Lee S. and Charles A. Speir Professor of Law
Robin Fountain, Professor of Conducting
Bunmi Olatunji, Professor of Psychology
Eric Skaar, Ernest W. Goodpasture Chair in Pathology
Sharon Weiss, Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
TIPs Review Panels – Cycle 2020
Co-Chair Sarah Brown-Schmidt, Associate Professor in Psychology and Human Development
Co-Chair Velma Murry, Betts Chair in Education and Human Development
Jimmy Byrd, Associate Professor of American Religious History
Joy Calico, Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair in Musicology
Ashley Carse, Assistant Professor of Human and Organizational Development
Maureen Gannon, Professor of Medicine
Angela Jefferson, Professor of Neurology
Owen McGuinness, Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics
Kim Rathmell, Cornelius Abernathy Craig Chair in Medicine
Betsey Robinson, Associate Professor of History of Art
Rena Robinson, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Florence Sanchez, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Chris Serkin, Professor of Law
Richard Willis, Anne Marie and Thomas B. Walker, Jr. Professor of Accounting
Jamey Young, Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Roy Zent, Thomas F. Frist Sr. Chair in Medicine