{"id":15078,"date":"2023-10-26T14:48:35","date_gmt":"2023-10-26T18:48:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ric.utk.edu\/beta\/?page_id=14375"},"modified":"2026-04-27T14:01:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T18:01:16","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull utkwds-media-text-cta has-light-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-2ee18021 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-002ffff5 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-utkwds-left-frame\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Research-Futurist-Discussion_July-10-2023-9-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14629\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Research-Futurist-Discussion_July-10-2023-9-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Research-Futurist-Discussion_July-10-2023-9-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Research-Futurist-Discussion_July-10-2023-9-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Research-Futurist-Discussion_July-10-2023-9.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-8ff61abe wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What we do at the Research Innovation Center (RIC)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The College of Communication and Information&#8217;s Research and Innovation Center (RIC) supports and conducts research that benefits the public as well as private organizations, governmental agencies, and corporations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull utkwds-stack-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-15aea51b wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Our focus areas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-002ffff5 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column utkwds-stack has-light-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-8840effd wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1af3027d wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Within CCI:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Serve faculty, staff and student research activities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide services to enhance research collaborations <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Facilitate research processes such as filing for human subject research approvals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Support all activities related to successfully finding, winning, and using funding for sponsored research<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column utkwds-stack has-light-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-container-core-column-is-layout-8840effd wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1af3027d wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">Beyond CCI:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Offer best-of-class applied research to find answers for the information and communication problems identified by organizations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide expertise that includes user experience research, information systems and database design\/evaluation, information management, data management<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Effective organizational communication, scientific communication, and science publishing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Facilitate research across disciplines and across agency borders<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-utkwds-single-link wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/community-industry\/\">Explore services for community &amp; industry<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull utkwds-horizontal-single has-light-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-f59d062b wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-align-center\">Historical timeline of the Research Innovation Center<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group utkwds-horizontal-single has-white-background-color has-background is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-037d3c25 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"866\" src=\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/webSIS_LobbySign_2020.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14639\" style=\"width:480px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/webSIS_LobbySign_2020.png 800w, https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/webSIS_LobbySign_2020-277x300.png 277w, https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/webSIS_LobbySign_2020-768x831.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9f67e4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1989<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Center for Information Studies is established by the School of Information Sciences faculty to be a focal point for research related to information systems and services.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group utkwds-horizontal-single has-white-background-color has-background is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-037d3c25 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-carol-tenopir.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16307\" style=\"width:480px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-carol-tenopir.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-carol-tenopir-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-carol-tenopir-768x510.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9f67e4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2003<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Carol Tenopir appointed director of The Center for Information Studies\u202f.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group utkwds-horizontal-single has-white-background-color has-background is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-037d3c25 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-2025-CCI-Symposium-5.jpg\" alt=\"A man wearing a blue suit and orange tie gestures towards a presentation on a large screen behind him\" class=\"wp-image-16309\" style=\"width:480px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-2025-CCI-Symposium-5.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-2025-CCI-Symposium-5-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-2025-CCI-Symposium-5-768x510.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9f67e4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2004<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Center for Information Studies is renamed to the Center for Information and Communication Studies (CICS). The mission is expanded to become the primary research arm of the College of Communication and Information to assist with all externally funded research initiatives and to work closely with CCI faculty members.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group utkwds-horizontal-single has-white-background-color has-background is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-037d3c25 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-hor-11-1-24_Suzie-Allard-Headshot_003.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16310\" style=\"width:480px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-hor-11-1-24_Suzie-Allard-Headshot_003.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-hor-11-1-24_Suzie-Allard-Headshot_003-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-hor-11-1-24_Suzie-Allard-Headshot_003-768x510.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9f67e4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2014<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Suzie Allard appointed director of CICS.\u202f<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group utkwds-horizontal-single has-white-background-color has-background is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-037d3c25 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-hor-10-25-23_UX-Lab-Eye-Tracking-Steam_065.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16311\" style=\"width:480px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-hor-10-25-23_UX-Lab-Eye-Tracking-Steam_065.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-hor-10-25-23_UX-Lab-Eye-Tracking-Steam_065-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-hor-10-25-23_UX-Lab-Eye-Tracking-Steam_065-768x510.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9f67e4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2018<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The User eXperience Lab and the Message Effects Lab become a UT core facility administered by CICS\u202f.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group utkwds-horizontal-single has-white-background-color has-background is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-037d3c25 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-hor-CCI-Research-Innovation-Center-HorizLeftLogo-RGB.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16312\" style=\"width:480px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-hor-CCI-Research-Innovation-Center-HorizLeftLogo-RGB.png 1024w, https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-hor-CCI-Research-Innovation-Center-HorizLeftLogo-RGB-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-hor-CCI-Research-Innovation-Center-HorizLeftLogo-RGB-768x510.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9f67e4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The center is re-envisioned as CCI Research &amp; Innovation Center (RIC) to align more closely with the strategic goals and mission of CCI.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group utkwds-horizontal-single has-white-background-color has-background is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-037d3c25 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-hor-CCI-Innovation-Labs-HorizLeftLogo-RGB.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16313\" style=\"width:480px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-hor-CCI-Innovation-Labs-HorizLeftLogo-RGB.png 1024w, https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-hor-CCI-Innovation-Labs-HorizLeftLogo-RGB-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-hor-CCI-Innovation-Labs-HorizLeftLogo-RGB-768x510.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9f67e4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2023<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The CCI Innovation Labs is created. It reimagines CCI lab resources and services&nbsp; including the&nbsp; User eXperience Lab, Message Effect Lab, and The Adam Brown Social Media Command Center to provide the flexibility to bring new capacity to the college.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group utkwds-horizontal-single has-white-background-color has-background is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-037d3c25 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-hor-11-17-23_Catherine-Luther-Headshot_001.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16314\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-hor-11-17-23_Catherine-Luther-Headshot_001.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-hor-11-17-23_Catherine-Luther-Headshot_001-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/web-hor-11-17-23_Catherine-Luther-Headshot_001-768x510.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-9f67e4b5 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--small);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--medium)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2023<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Information Integrity Institute is created. It brings CCI expertise to support the reliable and accurate representations of information that are founded on ethical principles, and individual access to credible information. Catherine Luther, Minnie Doty Goddard Distinguished Professor, is named as founding director of the Institute.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What we do at the Research Innovation Center (RIC) The College of Communication and Information&#8217;s Research and Innovation Center (RIC) supports and conducts research that benefits the public as well as private organizations, governmental agencies, and corporations. Our focus areas Within CCI: Beyond CCI: Explore services for community &amp; industry Historical timeline of the Research [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"no-title","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-15078","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>About - CCI Research &amp; Innovation Center<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cci.utk.edu\/ric\/about\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"About - CCI Research &amp; Innovation Center\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What we do at the Research Innovation Center (RIC) The College of Communication and Information&#8217;s Research and Innovation Center (RIC) supports and conducts research that benefits the public as well as private organizations, governmental agencies, and corporations. 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