Strategic Imperative 4
Advance our excellence to lead in the discovery and application of sustainable solutions, improving environmental, human, plant and animal health
The University of Minnesota is a national leader in developing and launching sustainable solutions that safeguard the health of our planet, people, plants and animals. By developing solution-oriented research that transforms communities and markets, we will be a magnet for exceptional students, faculty and staff who thrive on improving the health of our planet and its human, plant and animal ecosystems. Through this imperative, we will champion investigator-driven innovation with strategic investment and focus in four core areas that are established strengths to further our excellence. Our depth of expertise in these four areas will lead to scientific breakthroughs, strengthen individual and community resiliency, enhance community decision-making and address ethical, legal and social implications across the state, nation and world. This expertise and focus will translate into greater course and academic offerings across our campuses. This commitment will strengthen our resolve to best serve the state and nation, enhance our reputation and empower us to drive groundbreaking discoveries that benefit the global community.
Focus Areas:
Lead in the creation of knowledge and solutions, as well as interdisciplinary education, for a healthy planet with abundant natural resources.
We will rely on our research on human behavior, organizational behavior and community leadership development to build and deploy sustainable models that advance and strengthen the health of our planet. We will further commit to becoming a premier global destination where students and faculty collaborate to develop innovative solutions addressing the critical environmental and human health challenges facing our world.
Key early actions:
Grow nationally leading research in freshwater and large lake science, including renovation of the Large Lakes Observatory facility, to advance understanding and stewardship of vital water resources.
Lead development of cutting-edge innovations in technology, approaches, policies, and economic incentives to power a sustainable, integrated energy economy tailored to cold-weather environments.
Develop and implement transformative solutions dedicated to the conservation and restoration of biodiversity.
Design and apply rigorous, research-based models and scenarios to empower informed, data-driven community, business and organizational decision-making.
Develop and implement an innovative cross-campus, interdisciplinary education program with a focus on sustainability.
Lead the nation in community health innovation, and Minnesota in healthcare delivery.
We will advance our world-leading innovations in supporting the health of communities, including healthcare, and break new ground to improve access to care across Minnesota. Our scientists will work collaboratively with communities, public health agencies and organizations to identify solutions, strengthen prevention programs and networks and improve health outcomes, regardless of zip code.
Key early actions:
Lead the research on the frontiers of aging and the science of the developing brain, including neuroscience and developmental psychology.
Create and scale innovative, AI-driven healthcare delivery models that address operational and financial implications while enhancing access.
Lead in knowledge creation and innovation to advance the health of people, animals, plants and ecosystems through agricultural innovation and a One Health approach.
We will advance a One Health model that recognizes the interdependence of human, animal and environmental health. Building on our decades of leadership in human medicine, animal health and production agriculture, we will generate solutions that promote resilient communities, sustainable food systems and healthy ecosystems for the future of Minnesota and the world.
Key early actions:
Accelerate the advancement of sustainable and secure food systems by integrating cutting-edge innovations in precision agriculture, plant sciences and animal health.
Identify and respond to emerging and contemporary infectious diseases for outbreak and disease mitigation and control through collaborative research, surveillance and rapid-response strategies across species and sectors.
Invest in field-defining research to advance the frontiers of AI.
From health and finance to education and transportation, AI is transforming industries and creating new opportunities. The University of Minnesota is strategically positioned for success through its investment in big data, beginning with a long history of supercomputing and faculty expertise in machine learning. Additionally, the university has deep expertise in organizational development, communications, psychology, law and policy that will inform the ethical and effective use of AI. Building on this foundation, as well as our strengths in foundational and user-inspired AI in the fields of climate, agriculture and health, we will equip faculty, staff and students with the knowledge, tools and skills to remain on the leading edge of responsible, ethical and effective use of AI. We will create an organizational structure that will harness expertise and potential across all mission areas, campuses, colleges and institutes/centers.
Key early actions:
Advance new learning algorithms, ethical AI frameworks and use-inspired AI platforms.
Strengthen high-performance computing, scalable cloud environments, secure data storage and modern data governance frameworks.
Create a research computing hub to accelerate use of AI tools, data and methods across disciplines driving breakthroughs in healthcare, agriculture, engineering, public policy and the humanities.
Catalyze and support cross-disciplinary teams to address leading-edge foundational, use-inspired and applied AI research opportunities.
Advance excellence in sustainable solutions
Our planet and future communities rely on today’s innovation to support their preservation and resilience. By investing in and elevating our unique strengths in finding sustainable solutions that honor “One Health,” and by using our varied and distinct campuses as living labs and classrooms, we can continue to draw exceptional students, faculty and staff who will use the latest advancements in technologies to ensure the health of environmental, human, plant and animal health.