American University (AU) plays a significant role in driving economic growth and development in the District of Columbia (D.C.) and the surrounding region, with its impact now further enhanced by the establishment of the Translating Research into Action Center (TRAC).
Launched in February 2024 and funded by a $5.7M grant from the National Science Foundation, TRAC is strengthening AU’s capacity to promote research translation for societal and economic impact, aiming to make academic research a catalyst for positive, tangible growth in society.
TRAC is working on enhancing technology transfer opportunities to strengthen regional economic impact and is pioneering the measurement of societal and economic impact in collaboration with Pew Charitable Trusts. The center is also developing training programs for AU faculty, post-doctoral scholars, Ph.D. students, and undergraduates, further enhancing the university’s role in developing a skilled workforce.
As part of its mission, TRAC identifies, incubates, and maintains a pipeline of research translation projects at AU, including studies on vicarious trauma in counterterrorism practitioners, empowering mentors, and modeling clinical trial outcomes using machine learning.
Through these initiatives, American University is reinforcing its role not only as an educational institution but also as a key driver of economic growth, innovation, and opportunity in D.C. and beyond. The establishment of TRAC underscores the university’s commitment to enabling research informed civic engagement and strengthening the use of evidence-driven policy and practice. By bridging the gap between academic research and practical solutions, AU lives its research tagline: Societal Outcomes. Actionable Research. Eagles SOAR!