CHESS Research Webinar Series
CHESS offers periodic webinars for faculty about research-related topics, including the process of applying for external funding at UNC Charlotte. The webinars are open to faculty and staff at all levels. Please click on the links below for more information and to register for each session. Questions can be directed to chess-research@charlotte.edu.
Spring 2026 Schedule
Research Security in a Changing World
Wednesday, January 21, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Research Security Update 2026 (slides)
Export Controls and Research Security (slides)
With research security becoming a central focus of federal policy, this session with Angelica Martins, Saul Sotolongo, and Lacy Kitchin from the Office of Research Protections and Integrity will explain current requirements and their impact on researchers. Topics include mandatory training, updated disclosure rules, export control essentials, considerations for international travel, and the evolving federal standards for research security data.
The Student Affairs Data Lake: New Possibilities for Research & Insight
Wednesday, February 4, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
The Student Affairs Data Lake 101 (slides)
Join Ellissa Brooks Nelson and Mark Manning from Student Affairs for an inside look at the new Student Affairs Data Lake—UNC Charlotte’s innovative hub for integrated student engagement data. This session will introduce who we are, the structure of the Data Lake, how to request data, and creative ways this information can enhance research, analytics, and assessment across the college.
North Carolina Collaboratory Funding (organized by Cato College of Education)
Thursday, February 26, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
The North Carolina Collaboratory is a state-funded research agency created by the NC General Assembly in 2016 to support research that delivers practical, actionable information for state and local governments and the communities they serve. The Collaboratory funds research across a wide range of pressing issues—from opioid remediation and K–12 education to water quality and natural disasters—and its 2025 Annual Report highlights the unique funding model and impactful studies underway across North Carolina.
Jeni Corn, Ph.D., Research Director for Social Sciences at the NC Collaboratory, will lead an online information session for UNC Charlotte faculty. Dr. Corn oversees the Collaboratory’s social sciences portfolio statewide, including K–12 education, child welfare, criminal justice and mental health reform, economics, public health, psychology, political science, and workforce research. Her extensive background includes leadership roles at the NC Department of Public Instruction, myFutureNC, and the Friday Institute at NC State, with deep experience conducting applied research in North Carolina schools and communities.
During the session, Dr. Corn will introduce the NC Collaboratory, discuss current research priorities and areas of funding interest, highlight potential and upcoming funding opportunities, and host a Q&A. K–12 priorities include topics such as early literacy, chronic absenteeism, educator recruitment and retention, student mental health, AI and cell phone use in schools, school safety, funding models, and disaster recovery.
Resources from previous EVENTS
Fall 2025
Winning Research Funding with Russell Sage
The Pitch Lab: Crafting Research Narratives that Win
Navigating the IRB Process for Human Subjects Research
Spring 2025
Grants Life Cycle at UNC Charlotte
Funding Opportunities in the Humanities and Social Sciences
Introduction to Pivot-RP
Niner Research Basic Training
Preparing Grant Budgets