Our Research Commitment

Baylor stands apart as a Christian research university – a position that empowers our aspirations to become America’s preeminent Christian research university. This bold goal is undergirded by Illuminate, a strategic plan for the future with an overarching ambition to bring light to the world. As we build on Baylor’s historic strengths and strategically invest in new areas of research, this roadmap for growth yields research marked by quality, impact and visibility.

At Baylor, we believe all truth is God’s truth, fully open to inquiry and debate within the free marketplace of ideas that top-tier academic institutions foster. Illuminate calls Baylor faculty to engage in multidisciplinary, signature academic initiatives and contribute as mentors to undergraduates and graduate students through high-impact learning experiences. By strengthening scholarship, deepening learning and improving teaching, these initiatives will support our commitment to excellence in undergraduate education and growth in graduate education.

Collaboration is vital to finding solutions to the immense challenges facing our world. Illuminate’s signature initiatives will be developed around areas where existing collaboration is yielding results and where continued work will galvanize interest among faculty and academic leaders on campus. A grand vision requires a path imbued with deep purpose, and Illuminate defines that commitment through a distinct focus on five signature academic initiatives:

Health

Research and collaboration will span all schools and colleges across the University as we focus on environmental determinants of health, family and community.

Data Sciences

Data Sciences is a rapidly advancing, interdisciplinary field that relies on techniques and theories drawn from machine learning, data mining, scalable data storage, and digital communication, as well as the disciplines of statistics, mathematics, and library sciences.

Materials Science

Materials Science is a cutting edge field with high market demand for graduates and vast extramural funding. Investments in Materials Science will position Baylor University as a leader in these technologies.

Human Flourishing, Leadership & Ethics

Baylor University will be a recognized leader in understanding the conditions by which humans, communities, and societies flourish.

Baylor in Latin America

The Census Bureau projects that by the year 2030, immigration will surpass natural increase as the primary contributor to population growth in the United States. The Baylor in Latin America initiative will position the University to be one of the most extensively engaged faith-based universities in the nation with regard to engagement in the Americas.

Other Research Initiatives

Baylor faculty share historic strengths in areas such as business, religion, education, family and consumer sciences, education and more. Learn more about Baylor research across a variety of disciplines that enriches understanding of the ways individuals and societies work, play, learn and worship.

Defense Research

For generations, Baylor University has partnered with the Department of Defense in education, research and training. Service and leadership are embedded within our University mission, foundational values that invigorate our long-term partnership. As Baylor pursues a bold new research vision, we are poised like never before to build on that legacy.