Advancing Research and Scholarship: Report of the 2024-2025 AACP Research and Graduate Affairs Committee

The 2024-2025 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Research and Graduate Affairs Committee (or the Committee) was charged with creating an updated definition of research and scholarship for use by the Academy, performing an audit of AACP activities to identify opportunities to advance or support research and scholarship as defined by the Committee, and developing metrics for these programs. The Committee met its first charge by providing updated definitions for both research and scholarship, recognizing that each is essential to the advancement of the pharmacy profession and equally important to the Academy. To fulfil its second charge, the Committee identified opportunities to add content and objectives related to research, scholarship, and graduate education to several AACP programs. For many of these programs, the Committee noted that AACP could expand eligibility, adjust program requirements, or reimagine marketing materials to enable or increase participation by graduate students, researchers, and basic scientists. The Committee emphasized the importance of including more content related to science, research, and graduate education in the AACP annual meeting, including the creation of a focused research and scholarship track. The Committee also identified opportunities for AACP to support research, scholarship, and research training through new programs. In addressing the third charge, the Committee reviewed AACP activities and programs related to research and scholarship and proposed outcomes and metrics that could be used to regularly evaluate these programs to ensure they are meeting their intended goals. In its call to action, the Committee affirms that a strong foundation in research and scholarship for all members of the academy is needed to advance the tripartite mission of higher education. The Committee proposes 12 recommendations for consideration by AACP and 2 suggestions for consideration by colleges and schools of pharmacy.