The spring 2025 UTM Research Series will feature five members of the UT Martin faculty discussing individual areas of research.
According to Dr. Erik Nordberg, dean of the Paul Meek Library, the UTM Research Series is held each semester and began in 2021, marking its fourth year this year.
“It is a program that was designed to highlight faculty research and faculty teaching,” Nordberg said. “The whole idea of the Research Series is that a lot of people generally think of UT Martin as a teaching college – and we are. Yet, every one of our faculty members, as part of their assignment, is expected to do research.
“Part of the faculty members’ review for tenure and promotion is that, in addition to their teaching or their service as a library faculty member, they have a certain amount of research, whether that is publication, conference proceedings or what have you. The Research Series came out of this desire to highlight that work, which often isn’t seen.”
The schedule of programs for this semester is:
• Dr. Jack Grubaugh, professor of biology, 4 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 29, Paul Meek Library: “Beetles, Bones and Bad Moths: Skyhawk Undergraduate Research and Internships in Entomology.”
• Dr. Ashley Kilburn, professor of marketing, 4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 20, online only: “E-Service Quality in Online Higher Education.”
• Dr. John Glass, director of Honors Programs, 4 p.m., Thursday, March 6, Paul Meek Library: “Research and the UTM Scholars.”
• Dr. Henri Giles, assistant professor of African American studies. 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 15, Paul Meek Library: “Restriction and Resistance: Examining Black Freedom in Haywood County.”
• Dr. Derrick Shepard, assistant professor of counseling, 4 p.m., Thursday, May 8, Martin Public Library: “Privilege, Power and Differences: How Social Class is All Around Us.”
Streaming will be provided at all but the final program in the series.
Grubaugh will open the UTM Research Series for spring 2025. A presentation and reception in his honor will begin at 4 p.m. on Jan. 29 in the Paul Meek Library.
Grubaugh’s presentation, “Beetles, Bones and Bad Moths: Skyhawk Undergraduate Research and Internships in Entomology,” will highlight his extensive research including entomological work with hide beetles (also known as flesh-eating beetles).
UTM engages many students in laboratory work, field research and internships, and Grubaugh will highlight current cooperative programs underway in the Department of Agriculture, Geosciences and Natural Resources and the Department of Biological Sciences.
Grubaugh joined the faculty of biological sciences in 2010 and served as departmental chair for five years. In addition to his teaching, scholarship and service to the university, he has received grant funding from several federal, state and municipal agencies, which he has applied toward research.
Grubaugh has also served as a consultant on projects to record, assess, and improve natural resources and indigenous wildlife throughout the Mississippi and Tennessee river valleys.
A recording will be available for later playback. A reception with light refreshments will follow and attendees can view an exhibit highlighting Grubaugh’s work.
Parking for the reception will be in the Paul Meek Library parking lot on Wayne Fisher Drive off Mount Pelia Road. Parking permits are available online at https://tinyurl.com/MeekParking. For more information, contact Nordberg at 731-881-7070.
