Several teams participating in The University of New Mexico Grand Challenges program will host events during UNM's 2025 Research and Discovery Week (R&D Week) across central and north campuses. Three GC Level 1 teams and two GC Level 2 teams are hosting events during R&D Week.
R&D Week kicks off Nov. 6.
Grand Challenges Events
Trustworthy AI | Thursday, Nov. 13 from 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. | SUB Ballroom A
The Level 1 team will host AI@UNM, a symposium in the SUB Ballroom A. UNM faculty and instructors can learn how their UNM colleagues and others nationally are successfully using AI in their teaching. Faculty we also showcase research projects from law, social science, natural science, and engineering that highlight the myriad ways AI is a transformative research tool. The team will wrap up with a session that goes over AI tools available to the UNM community with an opportunity for one-on-one discussions with an expert.
Multilingualism Matters | Friday, Nov. 7 from 2-3 p.m. | Ortega Hall 335
The Level 1 team will bring together scholars whose work advances the understanding of linguistic diversity in children for a panel discussion.
"This panel will help us identify common questions and reveal multiple perspectives, such as figuring out what support systems currently exist for children hailing from multilingual families so that we can disseminate this information widely and potentially identify gaps," said Professor of Linguistics and Spanish & Portuguese Naomi Shin.
Safer Streets | Friday, Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. | SUB Atrium
This GC Level 1 team will launch their community-based research with a large-scale community map at the R&D Week "Hands On My Research" expo. Participants will be asked to identify unsafe intersections and describe safety concerns for pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles. Hands on My Research! provides fun, informative, hands-on demonstrations designed to engage students and the general public.
Child Health | Friday, Nov. 14 from 1-2 pm | SUB Lobo A & B
The GC Level 2 team will host a panel discussion, "Preventing Child Maltreatment". The panel will explore strategies to prevent child abuse and neglect in New Mexico. Scientists, practitioners, community advocates, and people with lived experiences are invited to share their knowledge and ideas.
Sustainable Space Research | Friday, Nov. 14 from 2:15-3:15 p.m. | SUB Lobo A&B
This Level 2 team will present a symposium and begin with a presentation of team achievements and reports on team-funded pilot projects and will conclude with a brainstorming session where students, faculty, staff, and members of the community can discuss next steps for space research.
Visit our website for a complete 2025 R&D Week schedule.
About Team Levels:
In 2022, UNM's Office of the Vice President for Research reimagined the Grand Challenges Program launching Level 1 concept teams that receive funds for team development, community engagement, and the solidification of their ideas. Level 2 teams are provided additional funds to seed their projects and build capacity for larger, team-based activities.
