University of Arkansas maintains R1 research status
by February 14, 2022 9:37 am 2,151 views
The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville remains one of the top research institutions in the nation, according to the just-released 2021 rankings by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
UA is one of only 146 colleges and universities to attain an R1 (research 1) ranking, or very high research activity. The designation is the most elite category for research-focused institutions and represents 3.7% of public and private universities.
The university has been classified R1 since 2011. The list is reviewed and updated every three years by Carnegie, based at Indiana University in Bloomington.
“Congratulations go to everyone at the University of Arkansas who has worked so diligently to make this achievement possible,” Charles Robinson, interim UA chancellor, said in a statement. “As a land-grant, flagship university, our commitment to innovation and discovery enriches our students and the state of Arkansas and beyond every day.”
The Carnegie classifications are widely accepted as the standard categorization of accredited U.S. universities and colleges. According to a UA news release, the classification is based on a range of quantitative data related to the number and nature of doctoral degrees awarded annually, the amount of research grants and activity occurring, and other measures of scholarly productivity.
The university’s research expenditures totaled over $175 million in fiscal year 2018, the highest in the university’s history. The number dipped just slightly ($172.6 million) in fiscal year 2019. The university’s fiscal year 2020 research expenditures totaled $165.9 million. A UA spokesman partly attributed the decline to travel and other restrictions during the pandemic.
“Our Research 1 classification speaks to the outstanding work of our faculty and staff in driving the university’s research mission,” said John English, vice chancellor for research and innovation. “I look forward to building on our continued success, advancing research expenditures and collaborating on future research projects within the University of Arkansas, with other universities and with sister institutions such as UAMS, UAPB and others.”