You are here: American University School of International Service SIS Research What We Do

Back to top

Stewarding the research enterprise

The SIS Office of Research (SIS-OR) is a steward of the research enterprise at the School of International Service. SIS-OR promotes the scholarly efforts of our community, creating a space for scholarly engagement and aiming to maximize research visibility and impact.

We support SIS faculty as they prepare their research goals and polish their research designs, pursue grant and fellowship funding, promote books and journal publications, and disseminate research to audiences of policymakers, peer institutions, non-profits, and international organizations. We create spaces for discussion of faculty research, such as faculty research clusters, faculty research conversations, and faculty research incubators and book launches.

Already part of the AU community? Check out our new research, grant, and communication tools and resources on SharePoint.(AU Login Required)

SIS-OR ensures that faculty members are supported in their pursuit of external funding alone. Faculty supply the vision, write the grant narrative, and coordinate the research team. SIS-OR offers guidance on funding sources, support in preparing the remainder of the proposal, and guides the proposal through internal review. Throughout the process, SIS Research assists faculty members as they develop, strengthen, and sharpen their research objectives. Some examples of the types of support we provide include:

  • Developing research goals
  • Designing research projects
  • Reviewing grant guidelines and identify potential red flags
  • Proposing a timeline and work plan to ensure full internal review
  • Developing a budget and budget justification
  • Liaising with the sponsor and AU Office of Sponsored Programs
  • Furnishing samples and templates
  • Assisting with supporting documentation
  • Reviewing narratives and providing comments 
  • Moving proposals expeditiously through internal review and approval

While faculty often are focused primarily on the journey to publication, one of our central roles is to help promote the work once it is in print. SIS Research maintains a variety of outlets to publicize your work and will walk with you step-by-step no matter your level of research promotion experience. From bringing together a group of peers to discuss a work-in-progress or getting suggestions on how to promote your new book, we are here to help. Some examples include:

  • Organizing book incubators
  • Promoting publications on social media and other electronic venues
  • Hosting book launches at SIS
  • Using personal and professional websites
  • Building your own social presence
  • Liaising with Media Relations and Communications
  • Strategic Communications planning

SIS-OR also seeks to create a vibrant ongoing conversation about research at SIS, supporting faculty who wish to converse amongst themselves about research methods, or dialogue with external colleagues, stakeholders and policymakers.

Current Research Clusters:

  • Africa
  • Ethnographies of Empire 
  • Gender & Sexuality
  • Global Economy and Development
  • Historical International Studies
  • Political Violence and Security
  • Research Methods for Evidence-Based Policymaking
  • Security & Technology

For further information about the supports for faculty events, or to see the calendar of upcoming research events, faculty can visit our SharePoint site.



Meet the Team