佩珀代因大学 has earned the prestigious Research 2: High Spending and Doctorate Production (R2) designation from the Carnegie Classification of Institutes of Higher Education, elevating the school from its previous designation as a Doctoral/Professional University. This recognition, awarded to institutions with high research activity, distinguishes Pepperdine and its faculty members’ enduring commitment to purpose-driven scholarship.

一位西弗学院的学生展示了她的研究

“Academic excellence has always been a central tenet of Pepperdine's mission—it is a core part of who we as an institution are called to be,” says Pepperdine president Jim Gash. “Receiving the R2 designation is a testament to the work of our incredible faculty, whose ongoing dedication makes that mission a reality.”

The Carnegie Classification system, administered through the American Council on Education, is a widely respected benchmark for evaluating institutions based on rigorous, objective metrics. To achieve the R2 designation, institutions must demonstrate a strong commitment to research, exhibited by expenditures exceeding $5 million in research and development each fiscal year. In addition, they must award a minimum of 20 research doctorates annually.

佩珀代因大学 successfully met both of these standards in 2023, which is the fiscal year used to determine qualification. In that time period, the University invested $10.6 million in research and scholarship using both internal and external funding sources. Additionally, Pepperdine’s hth华体会体育入口 and 华体会体育 awarded 72 research doctoral degrees in 2023.

“Pepperdine's influence and research productivity continues to mature,” says Pepperdine University provost Jay Brewster. “Our faculty scholars work across diverse disciplines and partner with students to evaluate fundamental questions within both natural and societal environments. Achieving R2 华体会体育 within the Carnegie Classification system for doctoral universities offers an encouraging recognition of our shared investment in scholarly work."

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Pepperdine’s research capabilities have been a key factor in earning this prestigious recognition. Since 2011, the University has actively enhanced its research infrastructure, starting with the transformation of the Research and Sponsored Programs office. Now known as the 研究、资助和基金会关系办公室, this initiative has played a crucial role in increasing faculty research proposal submissions, which has enriched the academic environment for both students and professors.

Through these efforts, Pepperdine has secured the funding necessary to launch transformative academic initiatives. Most recently, the institution was the recipient of two grants totaling $9.95 million from the Lilly Endowment Inc. This significant contribution will support the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art’s five-year 段落 project as well as the 教会关系处’ 授权和装备计划, both of which will make lasting impacts on the University and its broader community.

In 2021 the University received a 一千万元拨款 from the Keck Foundation to establish the Keck Data Science Institute. The funding created new learning opportunities for students such as a data science minor, and the Keck Scholars program, providing research fellowships for undergraduate students. Similarly, Pepperdine has partnered with federally funded organizations such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) to host the 暑期本科生生物学研究项目, where undergraduates from across the US join Pepperdine faculty and students to pursue research questions.

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Across the University, faculty have been at the forefront of groundbreaking research and have gained ample funding for their scholarly pursuits across a variety of disciplines. At the 教育与心理研究生院， professor Eric Hamilton has earned a staggering $6 million in NSF grants. At the 华体会体育, Michael Helfand has brought in $1.5 million in grants to support the institution’s 休和黑兹尔达林基金会宗教自由诊所. At 西维尔大学, professors 海伦Holmlund, 哈维尔·蒙松, and Flo La Valle have each been awarded more than $500,000 to advance research in the natural sciences. At the 华体会体育, 路易莎布兰科 has received more than $100,000 to research financial literacy, retirement preparedness, and health disparities among Latin American populations both domestically and abroad. And at the 华体会体育 Clemens Kownatzki garnered $75,000 to enhance the technology available to graduate students.

Brewster notes, “This recognition highlights the strengthening commitment of Pepperdine faculty, students, and administration to apply academic expertise in the service of our society.”