Assistant Director for Research Collaboration and Public Engagement

Position Summary This position advances the mission of the Great Cities Institute (GCI) at the University of Illinois Chicago by strengthening collaboration, research dissemination, and institutional coordination across academic, civic, and community partners. Under the direction of Institute's leadership, the Assistant Director for Research Collaboration and Public Engagement will support initiatives that connect applied research with policy, practice, and public engagement. The position contributes to building collaborative research capacity across academic units, government agencies, and community organizations. Duties Responsibilities Research Collaboration and Partnership Development ●Support the design, implementation, and evaluation of collaborative research initiatives aligned with GCI’s program areas and research clusters. ●Conduct and co-lead applied qualitative and quantitative research related to interorganizational collaboration, participatory governance, and community partnerships. ●Facilitate and sustain collaborative relationships among university researchers, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community-based partners. ●Support the design, implementation, and evaluation of collaborative research initiatives aligned with GCI’s program areas and research clusters. ●Contribute to the development of research partnerships, grant proposals, and funding strategies that strengthen collaborative research capacity. Strategic Communication and Dissemination ●Lead the dissemination of GCI research through reports, policy briefs, multimedia storytelling, digital platforms, and public events. ●Translate complex research findings, datasets, and policy analyses into accessible formats for policymakers, practitioners, community partners, and the broader public. ●Coordinate visual, digital, and narrative communication strategies that enhance the reach and impact of GCI’s research initiatives. ●Support the development of public-facing research outputs that highlight GCI’s contributions to urban policy, community development, and regional planning. Institutional Engagement ●Develop Institute’s faculty engagement program. ●Coordinate and mediate cross-campus collaborations by connecting UIC faculty with GCI initiatives, including the development of topical lecture series, collaborative research projects, and community-engaged scholarship opportunities. ●Establish and facilitate interdisciplinary faculty working groups aligned with GCI’s research clusters to advance urban policy dialogue, generate collaborative outputs, and strengthen sustained academic engagement. ●Design and lead a bi-directional “Collaborative Exchange” model between GCI and UIC units, coordinating the integration of GCI researchers into campus-based centers, initiatives, and academic programs, while also connecting UIC faculty and partners to GCI-led projects and research clusters. ●Strengthen university–community partnerships through coordinated institutional engagement strategies, supporting the development, alignment, and sustainability of collaborations between UIC units and external partners, and positioning GCI as a central hub for relationship-building, communication, and project coordination. Perform other related duties and participate in special projects as assigned.