TU’s emphasis on research takes center stage at faculty conference
TU to share knowledge on shifting trends, research at new annual conference
October 25, 2021

Occupational therapy and occupational science associate professor Amanda Jozkowski saw much of her research focus change dramatically during the pandemic. She moved from assistive technology and play-based assessment for children and youth to two pandemic-related projects, one looking at changes in time use for students before and during the stay-at-home orders.
On Oct. 29 in the West Village Commons ballrooms, she’ll take that experience and share it with faculty at the MultiFACETed Research at TU conference.
“These new projects have been really interesting and also a nice way to try out some new research methods,” Jozkowski says. “Before this, I was primarily a quantitative researcher, but now I am working in more qualitative and mixed-methods approaches and have taken this opportunity to attend a number of trainings that have enhanced my research skills.”
The event, co-sponsored by the Faculty Academic Center of Excellence at Towson (FACET) and the Office of Sponsored Programs & Research, is intended to bring researchers in different fields and colleges together with the hope of inspiring future scholarly collaborations.
The conference’s sessions vary in length and include gallery talks, lecture recitals, panels, paper presentations, performances and posters. Attendees are encouraged ask questions and share ideas during the sessions, and there will also be opportunities to learn about grant opportunities and campus resources to support research.
Dominic Shodekeh Talifero, a beatboxer, vocal percussionist and breath artist who is in his third year as innovator-in-residence for the College of Fine Arts & Communication, is the keynote speaker.
“FACET works hard to encourage and support faculty scholarship in all its forms and across all faculty levels,” says Patricia Westerman, assistant provost, FACET. “This first-annual TU faculty research conference will be an opportunity to showcase the excellent scholarly work that TU faculty conducts, and it promises to be an engaging and informative day. We are excited about the enthusiasm of our faculty members across all colleges and departments to share their research projects with each other. We know that all attendees will be particularly energized by the keynote address by TU’s innovator-in-residence, Shodekeh.”
Ming Tomayko, mathematics education professor and conference committee chair, says TU’s emphasis on research in its strategic plan makes this a terrific time for the conference.
“One of the special qualities about Towson University is that our faculty scholarship takes many forms,” Tomayko says. “We intentionally designed this conference to celebrate that diversity. We hope participants will learn about the incredible work being conducted by their peers all around campus and that conversations will spark future collaborative efforts.”
Learn more and register for the first MultiFACETed Research at TU conference.