Duncan appointed to oversee research

Duncan will take over Vice Chancellor role on Sept. 1.

By Stephanie Clark

Published July 9, 2008

MU Provost Brian Foster announced last month that Robert Duncan will fill the position of vice chancellor of research. Four finalists were considered for the spot.

“(Duncan) was well received by several audiences including members of other universities, business communities, and others who met with him,” MU spokesman Christian Basi said. “He received a lot of wide support during the search.”

Duncan’s appointment will take effect Sept. 1.

Former vice chancellor Jim Coleman stepped down from his position and accepted an offer to serve as vice provost for research at Rice University. According to a previous Maneater report, Coleman said he was “demoralized” by the lack of support MU receives from the UM system and state legislature for research. He was promoted to vice chancellor in 2007 after serving as vice provost for four years at MU.

Rob Hall has served as interim vice chancellor since September.

During Coleman’s time as vice chancellor at MU, he set a precedent for funding after receiving significant amounts of endowment from local, state and federal funds.

Last year, $174 million was granted to MU for external research.

After Coleman’s resignation, the university conducted a search to fill his position. Foster announced Rob Hall as interim vice chancellor of research in September 2007. In April, four finalists were announced for the position. Among these finalists were candidates who conveyed leadership characteristics, and possessed the means to interact with a variety of organizations.

The vice chancellor for research is responsible for overseeing the various research procedures that are conducted at MU.

“Over the past decade, MU has led the nation in growth for federal support in research and scholarship,” Basi said. “Our office of research is an important part of that success and we’re looking forward to having Dr. Duncan join the university.”