Insights from USRAC with David Rosowsky on research and innovation

Author: Saskia Hoving

Editor-in-Chief

As the research ecosystem undergoes rapid transformation, from the rise of AI to the push for open science, institutions and publishers are rethinking how knowledge is created, shared and valued. This blog features insights from David Rosowsky, Senior Advisor to the President at Arizona State University and member of Springer Nature’s US Research Advisory Council (USRAC), as he explores how AI is reshaping scholarly communication, the importance of rebuilding public trust and the role of early career researchers in leading change toward a more inclusive and innovative research future.

The pace of change in the global research landscape is accelerating, driven by technological breakthroughs, shifting funding models and a growing demand for openness and accountability. Against this backdrop, academic institutions and publishers are rethinking their roles in shaping the future of science. At the heart of this transformation is a renewed focus on collaboration, innovation and trust.

Springer Nature’s US Research Advisory Council (USRAC), launched in 2021, was created to foster dialogue between publishers and key stakeholders across the research ecosystem, including funders, institutions, policymakers, scholarly societies, and early career researchers. The council provides a platform to share perspectives on research culture and the societal impact of science, helping Springer Nature align its publishing activities with the evolving priorities of the academic community.

David Rosowsky, Senior Advisor to the President at Arizona State University and a member of USRAC, brings a unique perspective to these challenges. His reflections build on themes explored in recent blogs on The Link, such as the growing role of open science in reshaping research culture and the urgent need to rebuild public trust in science. From transparency in peer review to empowering early career researchers, these blogs have spotlighted how institutions and publishers can work together to foster a more inclusive and impactful research ecosystem. In this interview, Rosowsky adds his voice to that conversation, sharing insights on AI, innovation and the future of scholarly communication.

What’s your role at Arizona State University?

I serve as Senior Advisor to President Michael Crow and as Senior Fellow in the University Design Institute (UDI) at ASU. As senior advisor, I assist the president in visioning and planning for several enterprise-level design and implementation strategies. This is a fascinating role and opportunity for me, at this stage in my career, to be part of a truly remarkable institution. In addition to getting to work with a remarkable university president and his leadership team, helping to vision and build an ever more innovative and impactful “New American University,” I am here at a time of great challenge and change for higher education. In my role at ASU, I am leveraging all of my experience as a faculty member, researcher, department head, dean, provost, and VPR. Being at ASU also provides a unique and powerful platform from which I continue to write and speak about higher U.S. higher education.

What led you to join USRAC, and what’s your experience been like?

I was invited to join and was quickly compelled by the opportunity to join other university leaders in advising and perhaps guiding one of the world’s leading scientific publishers as they, too, evolve vision and strategies for a rapidly changing world. This includes how to work most effectively in partnership with research institutions and researchers, but also how respond responsibly to political and technological shifts affecting both the conduct of research and the dissemination of new knowledge. I am impressed to see Springer-Nature getting out in front of the real challenges that lie ahead for researchers, research institutions, and the broader scientific community. My experience to-date (my first year on the USRAC) has been wonderful. My thinking has evolved, my views have expanded, and my professional network has grown thanks to this opportunity to serve as a member of the USRAC.

The latest USRAC theme explored AI and open science. What impact are you seeing on research practice?

The introduction of AI is a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon, one that is quickly impacting (and will forever alter) the entire scientific research landscape. Everything from the conduct of research to the dissemination of results to grant-writing to information/data access and even the once human-only endeavors of discovery and innovation are being upended. This is something to celebrate and be excited about, not to be resisted or feared. What an exciting time. Open science is the future, and it’s here. And scientific communication will be radically different in this new world of AI and open science.

What challenges do researchers face today, and how can institutions help?

Researchers are understandably nervous about securing the resources they need, now more than ever. There is considerable uncertainty and angst. Universities will not be able to make up the projected decline in federal support for research. Neither will philanthropy or the private sector (business). Institutions will need to approach the expected new reality from both sides: (1) assist researchers and research teams in identifying sources of support (traditional and new) and putting the best proposals forward, and (2) adjusting performance expectations and Review, Promotion, and Tenure (RPT) requirements to reflect the radically altered federal funding opportunity space. Other policies and practices that may require changes include those around university-industry partnerships, priority placed on (and support for) IP and tech transfer activities, and acknowledging the new vectors for scientific communication beyond the peer-reviewed journal article that can and should be counted in RPT decisions.

What inspires you about the future of research, and how can early career researchers and publishers help shape it?

Everything inspires me! I am a science geek first and foremost. I get excited every time I see a new technology, and new gadget, or a new discovery. And my brain quickly goes to “what does this make it possible to achieve NOW or NEXT?”. But we have serious work to do. First, we need to rebuild some very important relationships with the broader public. Whether it’s science, research, universities, or higher education broadly, all have lost public trust and confidence. So, while we all figure out how to continue to drive research and discovery in a changed world, we also must commit to restoring public trust and public support.

Our newest researchers are the ones who will show their colleagues not only the newest technologies and techniques, but also the newest ways of sharing both excitement and the findings from their work. They are also going to be explorers, pioneers and first-adopters in leveraging new sources of funding and new partnerships to conduct their research.

Great publishers, those that are both forward-looking (seeing changes on the horizon for their industry and for the scientific communities that support them) and genuinely committed to the success of faculty and researchers, can help respond to all the issues I mentioned above. I am honored to be part of the USRAC and, I hope, helping to make these partnerships happen, succeed, and matter.

About David Rosowsky

David Rosowsky is Senior Advisor to the President at Arizona State University, Senior Fellow at the University Design Institute, and Foundation Professor in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. With over 20 years in senior leadership roles, including Provost at the University of Vermont, Vice President for Research at Kansas State University, and Dean of Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, he brings deep expertise in institutional strategy, research innovation, and academic leadership.

As a frequent speaker and writer, Rosowsky focuses on topics such as higher education governance, change management, research strategy, public university transformation and the future of scholarly publishing. His work has been featured in Forbes, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, and AGB Trusteeship magazine.

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