Martina Nieswandt named new vice president for research

 After years of education and research experience, Martina Nieswandt began her new role in October 2022. Photo courtesy of Martina Nieswandt

Although she has only held her position as vice president for research at Chapman University since Oct. 1, 2022, Martina Nieswandt has years of experience in education and research under her belt.

Before coming to Chapman, Nieswandt was the associate vice chancellor for research and engagement at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has also held positions at the Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education at the University of Kiel, as well as the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Nieswandt also worked at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto and the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. 

As an educator, Nieswandt has taught many undergraduate and graduate courses related to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). In addition, her work as a researcher has led her to publish over 40 articles and books on STEM-related subjects, including Interest in Mathematics and Science Learning. She has also received millions of dollars in funding from organizations like the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education. Nieswandt has given many keynote speeches, presentations and workshops in the U.S. and also abroad.

“(Chapman was) very serious in continuing their efforts in teaching and particularly in the undergraduate area,” Nieswandt told The Panther. “That was one part that made me look at Chapman in more detail, and then what I also found when I looked at this role were the opportunities that undergraduate students have for being involved in research, scholarship and creative activities, and how many (students) are taking on these opportunities.”

Nieswandt thinks research within multiple colleges of Chapman will help distinguish it nationally.

“Chapman is an emerging university in research,” Nieswandt said. “At this point, we have a variety of areas where we are developing or where faculty has some great expertise. So one of the areas would definitely be in the health sciences in general, across the sciences. The School of Engineering will definitely play a role in that area as well.”

Nieswandt also thinks that The Dodge College of Film and Media Arts will help elevate Chapman, and she explained several priorities that the Office of Research will implement to continue the growth of Chapman as a research institution.

“One important area is that we need to have a good infrastructure to help faculty and students to do their research and not be bogged down with administrative pieces,” Nieswandt said. “That's an important part, to provide an office here. That’s something that’s an important piece, to have a good support system.”

She also plans to support new faculty and promote undergraduate research.

Nieswandt has made several accomplishments in her three months as vice president for research, including recruiting new staff members, working with other offices such as the Information Systems and Technology (IS&T) department to ease the Office of Research faculty’s work, starting a monthly newsletter and submitting a survey detailing Chapman’s research endeavors, spending and funding.

Provost Norma Bouchard, Nieswandt’s colleague, has enjoyed working with Nieswandt since she began the role.

“It’s been wonderful,” Bouchard told The Panther. “We meet regularly in one-on-one meetings. We communicate very often. She’s been a great addition to the university.”

Even though Nieswandt has held her position for only three months, Bouchard believes her experience in research and education will help her make significant contributions to the campus community.

“It’s a little early to tell,” Bouchard said. “She has a wealth of experience, both as a scholar, as a researcher and, of course, as an administrator. So, right now, I know she’s very busy building her team, figuring out what is the best structure for that office (and) reaching out to college deans (and) to faculty.”

Nieswandt hopes to accomplish many things as vice president for research at Chapman, one of which would be helping students in research.

“I want to see that students have an opportunity to see and be actively engaged in what we are — what does it mean to be involved in research (and) what kind of impact does it have,” Nieswandt said. “(Research is) part of who we are, and (it) defines the combination of excellent teaching and excellent research scholarship in creative activities.”