ACR Committee on Research

Opportunity Overview

The ACR Committee on Research has the following open positions. All positions are hybrid (both virtual and in-person activities expected of the volunteer).

• ACR Member Chair (1)
• ACR Member-at-Large (2)
• ARP Member-at-Large (1)
• Fellow-in-Training (1)

Eligibility

Please review the volunteer eligibility guidelines based on your member type and industry involvement before submitting a volunteer application.
Volunteer Eligibility Guidelines >

Committee Description

The ACR Committee on Research advances rheumatology research, training, and advocacy to improve care for patients with rheumatic diseases. The committee plans the Basic & Clinical Research Conference, with the NIH Rheumatology Research Workshop, and the CARMA Mentorship Program.

Responsibilities

• Identify topics and co-chairs for the Basic & Clinical Research Conference
• Support the Basic & Clinical Research Conference program development, with three committee members serving on the Basic & Clinical Research Conference Working Group
• Provide ad hoc guidance on research issues for the Executive Committee and other ACR committees or departments when requested
• Collaborate with the ACR Marketing and Communications team to enhance research visibility, including creating research webpage content and identifying article topics for The Rheumatologist, with work led by the COR Marketing & Communication Working Group
• Provide input to the Annual Meeting Planning Committee to develop and promote ACR Convergence sessions submitted by the committee, with two committee members serving as liaisons
• Provide input to the Committee on Government Affairs on advocacy efforts, with one committee member serving as a liaison
• Provide input to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Subcommittee, with one committee member serving as a liaison
• Coordinate ACR and Foundation research efforts, with the chair or a committee member serving as a liaison on the Foundation Scientific Advisory Committee
• Engage with NIH and other scientific societies through liaisons or the ACR NIH Working Group

Additional ACR Member Chair Responsibilities

• Serve as the ACR Research Representative on the Rheumatology Research Foundation Board of Directors and the Foundation Scientific Advisory Committee, or appoint committee members to serve in these roles.

The ACR staff is responsible for the administration and project management of all initiatives and programs.

Time Commitments

Virtual

• Meetings: 3–4 times per year for 1.5 hours, usually between 11:00 AM ET and 5:30 PM ET
• Asynchronous Work: 2–3 hours per month
• Committee members appointed as a Committee on Research liaison on another standing committee or a working group will be required to attend additional meetings, typically 1–1.5 hours each, up to four times per year
• The chair meets with the committee’s ACR staff liaison twice per month for a 1-hour update call and has 4–6 hours of asynchronous work per month

In-Person

• 1-hour meeting during ACR Convergence; participation via Zoom is permitted

Recommended Qualifications

The ACR Committee on Research welcomes all interested volunteers including basic science researchers; pediatric researchers; and clinical science researchers who can serve as the committee’s liaison to the Annual Meeting Planning Subcommittee.

The committee is particularly interested in members who have received Rheumatology Research Foundation or NIH grant funding or those with a deep understanding of NIH policies and priorities.