From the Provost

New framework for research space allocation at IU Bloomington

April 22, 2025

During the State of the Campus address, I announced a new framework for research space allocation at IU Bloomington—an important step toward aligning our resources with the campus’s research ambitions.  

This initiative supports IU Bloomington’s research agenda and growing innovation ecosystem by promoting flexibility, transparency, and interdisciplinary collaboration through modernized infrastructure and strategic space planning. 

High-quality research space—and using it well—is essential to our success. As part of our $45 million investment in lab infrastructure, work on new and upgraded facilities is now underway to support our most ambitious projects. As the research landscape evolves, we must also adjust our approach to managing these spaces. 

Special thanks to Associate Dean Caroline Chick Jarrold from the College and Executive Associate Dean Todd Royer from O’Neill for their leadership in guiding this effort over the past year. Their work identified opportunities to improve how we manage and utilize our research space. 

The framework

The new framework, developed by the Research Space Working Group, treats research space as a common good. Its core principles prioritize flexibility, transparency, and aligning space with the evolving needs of our research community. 

To inform the framework, the Working Group reviewed research space policies from peer institutions and IU and gathered input from IUB units on current space use and needs to support their diverse research activities. 

We also emphasize modular space designs in new construction and renovations, integrate space data into faculty reporting to track utilization, and create new ways to address space allocation in interdisciplinary buildings.   

A key component of this framework is interdisciplinary research neighborhoods—spaces for creative “collision,” a strategy already implemented with Faculty 100 hiring. 

Seven guiding principles for research space allocation

The principles we’ve developed reflect the diverse nature of the research that takes place across our campus, and we are committed to maintaining a culture of transparency and fairness in all space decisions.  

Here are the seven key principles that will govern how we manage research space at IU Bloomington: 

  1. Research space belongs to the institution: As with all space at IU Bloomington, research space is an institutional resource and not owned by individuals. 
  2. Space assignments are not permanent: Research space is assigned based on activities, not individuals, and may change as needs evolve. 
  3. Space allocation based on programmatic needs: Allocation decisions should reflect the programmatic needs and priorities of the unit, as determined by the dean or director in consultation with faculty and staff. 
  4. Productivity-driven space allocation: Within units, research space should primarily be allocated based on current and anticipated research productivity, in line with expectations for each field or discipline. 
  5. Encouraging interdisciplinary research: Our campus-wide goal is to promote interdisciplinary research and develop shared research spaces across units. 
  6. Metrics for space utilization: Units should create metrics to evaluate how research space is used and regularly assess whether allocations align with programmatic goals. 
  7. Repurposing underutilized space: Vacant or underutilized space should be reassigned or repurposed as promptly as feasible to support institutional needs. 

Six key recommendations 

In addition to these principles, the Research Space Working Group has provided six important recommendations that will help us put these principles into action: 

  1. Create advisory committees for interdisciplinary buildings: Each interdisciplinary research building should have a broadly representative advisory committee, led by the Vice Provost for Research (or designee), to advise on space use and coordination. Final allocation decisions remain guided by provost priorities. 
  2. Form a research space subcommittee: A subcommittee of Associate Deans for Research and the Vice Provost for Research should provide timely guidance on space-sharing. Final decisions rest with deans or the Vice Provost, with the Campus Space Committee resolving conflicts. 
  3. Design flexible research spaces: New research construction and renovations should prioritize open, multi-use layouts with modular components to support adaptability and efficient use. 
  4. Provide centralized research storage: IU Bloomington should develop nearby, secure storage for research equipment that is only used periodically, freeing up active research space. 
  5. Maintain and review space records: Units should keep detailed, accessible records of space allocation decisions and regularly review them to support efficient and priority-aligned reallocations. 
  6. Review space guidelines regularly: Campus research space guidelines should be reassessed every 2–3 years to ensure they remain effective and relevant. 

A culture shift in space allocation 

This update isn’t just about a new set of policies—it’s about a cultural shift in how we think about and manage research space. The overarching goal of the campus research space policy is to enable excellent and diverse research and scholarly activity that is commensurate with a high-ranking R1 institution.  

By adopting these principles and recommendations, we’re embracing a more flexible, transparent, and data-driven approach to space allocation—one that better supports our researchers and aligns with IU’s broader research goals. 

As we move forward, we’ll continue to listen, learn, and adapt. Your input will be essential in shaping how this framework evolves. I encourage you to engage with your unit leaders, share your perspectives, and be part of the conversation. 

Thank you for your continued collaboration and dedication to advancing research at IU Bloomington. 

Want to learn more?

Download additional information on our research space allocation plan.

In case you missed it...

2025 State of the Campus

Provost Rahul Shrivastav reflected on the university’s progress and vision for the future during the IU Bloomington State of the Campus address. 

Read the address

Granfalloon 2025 line-up rolls out

Granfalloon, an annual celebration of art, ideas and community inspired by Hoosier author Kurt Vonnegut Jr., returns to Bloomington this summer with an expanded schedule packed with free public programming.

Learn more

Town halls scheduled for leadership positions

IUB will be hosting town hall sessions for finalists for the positions of Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education and the Executive Director of the Eskenazi Museum of Art. 

Learn more