Published May 6, 2025, via Research News
Dear Colleagues,
As part of our ongoing federal advocacy efforts, we will soon launch a new faculty and staff survey focused on research activity and compliance burden. WashU is conducting this effort in partnership with Vanderbilt University, with whom we have also partnered on the Vanderbilt/WashU statement of principles.
The survey, which is being administered concurrently at Vanderbilt, is designed to update a similar survey conducted in 2015, as part of the Federal Regulatory Cost Study. We are updating that work to reflect today’s evolving federal landscape and to strengthen our position in policy discussions in Washington.
We are also revisiting the 2015 report to quantify the current costs of compliance related to research and accreditation. This analysis—alongside the new survey—will provide critical, data-driven insights to inform our conversations with federal agencies, accreditors, and lawmakers. It also underscores WashU’s continued leadership in advocating for effective, sustainable research policy.
Shortly, you will receive an email from the Chancellor with a link to the survey. I appreciate you prioritizing completion of the survey and encouraging your colleagues to do the same.
Thank you for your partnership. Your support will be instrumental in helping us ensure strong engagement with this effort across our faculty and research community.
Best regards,
Mark E. Lowe, MD, PhD
Vice Chancellor for Research
Associate Dean for Research, School of Medicine
Harvey R. Colten Professor of Pediatric Science
Richard Stanton
Vice Chancellor of Administration and Finance
Washington University School of Medicine