Research at Franklin

In FY 25 Franklin reached over $118M in total research expenditures, increasing its year over year by over $3M. Franklin is a key contributor to the research enterprise at UGA where total research expenditures have grown steady over the past five years.

Faculty clusters that are designed around creative uses of technology and human ingenuity, called Spark Hubs, unlock breakthroughs and discoveries that create new knowledge to benefit the public good. The Spark Hubs represent a dynamic constellation of innovation and inquiry, each dedicated to advancing knowledge and addressing pressing global challenges. They span diverse fields, from applied ethics and sustainability, security and resiliency to creative arts technology, fostering both critical reflection and creative expression. Language and culture are championed through critical languages for global security, while geological survey, critical minerals, and carbon capture drive forward environmental stewardship and resource management. Health innovation and bioinformation, alongside therapeutic innovation and drug discovery, push the boundaries of medicine and human well-being, complemented by a focus on veteran’s mental health. At the cutting edge of science and technology, hubs in quantum science, semiconductors and chips, and synthetic biology explore transformative frontiers, while space sciences expand humanity’s reach beyond Earth. Together, these hubs form a vibrant ecosystem where discovery, creativity, and responsibility converge to shape a more resilient and inspired future.  The Spark hubs include applied ethics and sustainability, security and resiliency, creative arts technology, critical languages for global security, geological survey, critical minerals and carbon capture, health innovation and bioinformation, quantum science, semiconductors and chips, space sciences, synthetic biology, therapeutic innovation and drug discovery, and veteran’s mental health. 

The University of Georgia’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences invites industry partners to participate in a transformative opportunity: the Industry Graduate Research Assistantship (I-GRA) program. This initiative is designed to align corporate research and development priorities with graduate-level academic training -- creating a dynamic ecosystem of innovation, talent development, and strategic collaboration. 

Student involvement in research at Franklin College is closely tied to experiential learning. Through direct participation in faculty-led projects, students gain practical skills in designing studies, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting findings. This hands-on approach fosters critical thinking and collaboration, preparing students for professional careers and advanced study. For example, Franklin students have contributed to research ranging from neuroimaging and bioinformatics to cultural analysis and public policy, often presenting their work at national conferences and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.

The college also emphasizes research partnerships and public engagement as part of its Innovation Initiative, which highlights the role of student research in connecting academic inquiry with community impact. These partnerships allow students to participate in projects that extend beyond campus, addressing issues such as environmental sustainability, public health, and cultural preservation. In addition, specialized facilities like the Marine Education Center and Aquarium provide immersive fieldwork experiences that combine education with stewardship of Georgia’s coastal ecosystems.

By embedding research opportunities into its academic programs, Franklin College ensures that students are not only recipients of knowledge but also contributors to discovery. This integration of research and experiential learning reflects UGA’s broader mission to cultivate informed, engaged citizens who are prepared to lead in diverse fields. Franklin College at UGA positions student research as a central component of its educational model, offering hands-on, interdisciplinary opportunities that foster experiential learning and connect scholarship with real-world impact.

Faculty research resonates widely in the media on a wide range of topics and issues, with recent highlights including the BBC, the New York Times, and Smithsonian Magazine. 

Read more here

• A meteorite crashes into a Georgia home. Turns out it is older than Earth – Scott Harris, faculty member in the department of geology – reported widely by The New York Times, The Guardian , People, FOX5, Smithsonian Magazine, USA Today, ABC News, ANF , WSB-TV, S. News & World Report , Associated Press, BBC, UGA video with Harris , UGA Today
• The clash between science and common sense through a weather lens – Marshall Shepherd, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor and Franklin College associate dean for research, writing in his regular column at Forbes
• Americans in the southern US often go years without knowing they’re infected with ‘kissing bug’ disease, reported by C&EN
• How it’s not about the place — it’s about the people – research lead by Daisi Brand, graduate student in the department of psychology, reported by Health Medicine Network