To underscore the link between academic research and standards development, ASTM International is rolling out its “Focus on Academic Research” campaign in 2014. The initiative will promote how academic research can offer critical technical knowledge and fresh insights to the standardization process, facilitating the advancement of state-of-the-art technologies into market-relevant solutions. Similarly, the campaign will emphasize how student participation in research can nurture interest in standardization and build valuable technical and problem-solving skills.

Launching Pad for Academic Research
The academic research community has long made significant contributions to the ASTM standardization process. ASTM members from academia participate in the activities of most of the Society’s standards development committees, in many cases serving in a committee leadership capacity. The Focus on Academic Research campaign builds upon ASTM’s ongoing outreach efforts in the academic community. Through its various components, the 2014 program will highlight ASTM’s avenues for both professors and students to engage in research and apply standards to generate new ideas and knowledge.
 
“Cooperative and sustained interaction between the academic research community and industry has long played a valuable role in the transfer of knowledge and the advancement of new technologies in the marketplace,” says John J. Schemmel, P.E., Ph.D., FACI, professor of civil engineering, Valparaiso University. “Conducting research and examining issues through the lens of ASTM standards can impact the standardization process by not only solving specific, discreet problems, but also unlocking the potential for even greater innovation in products, materials, processes and more.”

“Moreover, by integrating student research with the use of standards, graduates enter their respective fields better equipped with the technical skills and abilities that can truly make a difference,” added Professor Schemmel.

Among the major components of ASTM International’s 2014 Focus on Academic Research initiative are:

“Focus on Innovative Research” – The ASTM Student Member Paper Competition
The competition provides a vehicle for recognizing the achievements and scholarly work of ASTM’s student members at colleges and universities around the world. Through the development of their research papers, students will have a forum to demonstrate their grasp of ASTM standards and offer fresh perspectives to ASTM technical committees. Winners will present their papers at one of the ASTM 2014 fall committee meetings.

Graduate or Senior Design Project Grants
Recognizing that students at some universities may need financial assistance in completing their graduate or senior capstone design projects, ASTM International will continue to offer a limited number of $500 project grants in 2014. To be eligible for the grant, student design projects must contain an ASTM International standards component. Project grants provide a valuable funding source for student projects, supporting the costs of research-related materials and supplies, as well as other miscellaneous expenses. ASTM awarded five project grants in 2013. For more information, visit www.astm.org/studentmember/projectGrants.

ASTM Symposia and Journals
ASTM International offers professors a broad range of forums to present their research findings and exchange information with diverse technical experts and industry professionals. Professors have the opportunity to present research results at ASTM's robust symposia program held on a wide variety of technical subjects, and publish papers in ASTM’s collection of peer-reviewed journals. For more information on ASTM symposia, visit www.astm.org/MEETINGS.

Ongoing Tools and Resources
Students and professors are also encouraged to visit the ASTM website section geared specifically toward the needs of the academic community (www.astm.org/campus). A wealth of informational resources on standardization is available including The Professor’s Tool Kit, which contains various tools to help educators promote awareness of standards in the classroom.  Also on the site, full-time undergraduate or graduate students can sign up for free membership in ASTM International (www.astm.org/studentmember). Currently, ASTM has nearly 5000 student members representing 114 countries worldwide.

Another valuable resource that is available to assist academic researchers is ASTM International’s Interlaboratory Study (ILS) Program. The ILS Program offers services and resources that can assist researchers with various aspects of their projects including designing an interlaboratory study; identifying potential samples; soliciting volunteer laboratories; collecting and analyzing data; producing a draft precision statement; and more. Additional information is available at www.astm.org/ILS.

To learn more about ASTM International’s 2014 Focus on Academic Research initiative and the various components and offerings of the campaign, please visit www.astm.org/campus or contact Jim Olshefsky, director of external relations, ASTM International (jolshefsky@astm.org).

ASTM Staff Contact: Jim Olshefsky, Phone: 610-832-9714; jolshefs@astm.org
ASTM PR Contact: Barbara Schindler, Phone: 610-832-9603; bschindl@astm.org

Release #9574