Research at Gallaudet
Gallaudet has a unique obligation to contribute knowledge and scholarship likely to benefit deaf and hard of hearing people, especially in the areas of education and human services. Accordingly, the Gallaudet Research Institute conducts studies related to demographics and assessment of deaf and hard of hearing people in the educational system, as well as language and learning processes, and engages students in research, while stimulating and supporting work directed towards priorities consistent with Gallaudet's national mission and internal strategic objectives.
Research is a key component of Gallaudet's mission as a university. Faculty pursue a full range of research interests related to their own academic disciplines. Major grant support includes research, development, and training programs in visual language and learning, access to communication for deaf and hard of hearing people, genetics, and technology assessment.
Gallaudet University Research Priorities
The research priorities of the University reflect our unique responsibility and commitment to encourage and support research and scholarship that aims to benefit the diversity of the deaf and hard of hearing population on campus, across the United States, and internationally. These priorities are a framework for the work of the Gallaudet Research Institute and the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, and are used in grants from the Priority Research Fund to faculty and staff on campus.
Gallaudet Research Institute (GRI)
The Gallaudet Research Institute (GRI) strives to fulfill the university's legislated obligation to support and conduct research, and disseminate findings, on topics of concern to deaf people and those who live, work with, and educate them. To this end, GRI aspires to stimulate students, faculty, and staff in pursuit of new knowledge of value to their scholarly growth and to their discipline, by supporting on-campus research and lectures. GRI researchers conduct studies of language and learning processes in American Sign Language and English among deaf people from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds. The GRI continues its long tradition as the preeminent source of demographic and educational data about deaf youth throughout the United States.
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Hearing Enhancement
The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Hearing Enhancement is a national project funded by the United States Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. The objective of the project is to conduct research, development, and training programs that improve access to communication for deaf and hard of hearing people.
Science of Learning Center on Visual Language and Visual Learning (VL2)
VL2 is a Science of Learning Center on Visual Language and Visual Learning, one of six such centers funded by the National Science Foundation. The purpose of VL2 is to gain a greater understanding of the biological, cognitive, linguistic, sociocultural, and pedagogical conditions that influence the acquisition of language and knowledge through the visual modality. Gallaudet University houses VL2, and brings together deaf and hearing researchers and educators from a variety of disciplines and institutions to study how language and literacy develop in deaf individuals.
Research and Demonstration Projects
The wide range of scholarly activity by faculty and research at Gallaudet University can be seen in the online version of the Research and Demonstration Projects section of a printed report, "Gallaudet University- Annual Report of Achievements: University Programs, Research, and Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center." Database & design by Gallaudet Research Institute.
Genetics Program
Research at the genetics program focuses on identifying genes that are involved in deafness and understanding the impact that advances in genetic technology have on the Deaf and hearing communities.
Signs of Literacy (SOL)
In this research group drawn from units across campus, the theoretical position taken is that educational practice should be studied and understood within its sociocultural context and that the research should include insider as well as outsider perspectives. One longitudinal study is documenting the acquisition of American Sign Language and English literacy by a diverse set of deaf and hard of hearing children who attended literacy-rich preschool environments that were maximally accessible to them through the use of a natural sign language. In a second study, teachers and their mentors are being studied as they learn, reflect on, and apply bilingual education theories and instructional strategies through the Star Schools professional development model, as implemented at Kendall Demonstration Elem. School.
Technology Access Program
The Technology Access Program (TAP), part of the Department of Communication Studies, performs experimental research, consumer opinion studies, policy analysis, evaluation of technology and services, and consultation with industry, with the goal of maintaining and improving access to telecommunications and mass media by people who are deaf and hard of hearing. TAP works with the Trace Research and Development Center at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, as a partner on the RERC on Telecommunications Access.
Exemplary Programs and Research- Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
The Exemplary Programs and Research (EPAR) unit conducts evaluation and performance assessment of programs and training linked to the three priority areas - family involvement, literacy, and transition- of the Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center. EPAR handles requests to conduct research at the Clerc Center.
Institutional Review Board
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a federally-regulated committee to review, approve, and conduct periodic review of research involving human subjects. The primary purpose of such review is to assure the protection of the rights and welfare of the human subjects. ALL research projects involving human subjects or information previously obtained from human subjects must be submitted to the IRB before recruitment of subjects begins.
Office of Sponsored Programs
The Office of Sponsored Programs, a unit within The Graduate School and Professional Programs, provides services and support to Gallaudet faculty and staff seeking outside funding for projects of benefit to the Gallaudet community. In addition, it assists with various administrative issues arising from extramurally funded projects and acts as the liaison with the University's Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects for projects funded through grants and contracts.
