Identifying Strategies for UF/IFAS
IFAS administration will be seeking your input into creating strategies we can use to accomplish our objectives using the IFAS Vision and Big Five Objectives listed below. To do this, we are implementing a two-step process:
Step 1: In September, we will be using the Delphi research method to collect a list of strategies IFAS can use to reach its objectives from a group of experts. The group of experts cooperating in this effort includes agriculture and natural resource industry leaders, representatives from Florida public agencies, county and state University of Florida faculty, and IFAS Center directors and department chairs. Together they will create a list of agreed upon strategies that can move IFAS forward towards reaching its objectives. The list of strategies they create will be posted here as soon it is available.
Step 2: After the Delphi panel concludes, IFAS will need to narrow down the list of strategies identified by the panel of experts to five workable ideas. To do this, we will be asking for input on which of the identified strategies should be focused on. An online survey will be made available later this fall to all who would like to give input by ranking their top strategic choices. The results of this survey will be used to prioritize the strategies and identify the top five that will be used to guide IFAS in reaching its objectives. Input is essential to this process, so we hope you choose to participate. The link to the survey will be available at this website later this fall.
The IFAS Vision
Through the three functions of teaching, research and extension, IFAS will work to advance healthy people, healthy environments, and healthy economies and thus, IFAS will be a major contributor to achieving a healthy, prosperous and peaceful planet.
IFAS Big Five Objectives
- Identify the fundamentals essential to achieving the overarching goals of the University of Florida and identify areas in IFAS for investment, in light of its current position, the research environment, and social and academic considerations.
- Develop solutions for issues that affect agricultural, human, natural resources and life sciences.
- Hire and retain the best people in their fields, including providing them with a productive environment, tools and resources.
- Create a more sustainable approach to agriculture while recognizing wider important social and economic parameters.
- Develop organizational efficiencies and effectiveness to promote and acquire adequate resources to fulfill the mission.
Information about the Delphi Method
The Delphi method is a process developed by the Rand Corporation (1969) designed to collect knowledge and create a consensus on a topic from a group of experts specializing in a specific area of interest (Ziglio, 1996). It is conducive to gaining insight into priorities that are difficult to analyze analytically from those with the needed information (Dalkey & Helmer, 1968). It has been used extensively over the past 40 years by businesses to track trends in science and technology development. More recently it has been used as a tool to implement multi-stakeholder approaches to participative policy-making by identifying the most urgent challenges, and strategies to address those challenges, noted by stakeholders (Bolognini, 2001; Green, Armstrong, & Graefe, 2007; Hilbert, Miles, & Othmer, 2009).