Unlocking Innovation: Eastern Michigan University Announces 2025-26 Sabbatical Leaves for Faculty Research Excellence

YPSILANTI — Eastern Michigan University (EMU) has recently announced sabbatical leaves for the 2025–26 academic year. These leaves support faculty members as they dive into research, improve student learning, and make an impact on the community and beyond. The school’s Board of Regents approved these sabbaticals on June 26.

Faculty can take sabbaticals for one semester at full pay or two semesters at half pay. Those on two-semester sabbaticals can receive additional research support of up to $12,000, depending on approval. The University Research and Sabbatical Leave Committee reviews all proposals to ensure they align with EMU’s academic goals.

For the upcoming academic year, EMU has awarded 14 one-semester and 8 two-semester sabbaticals. Here’s a look at some of the faculty members and their projects:

One-Semester Sabbaticals:

• Adam Briggs, Psychology: Developing a Behavioral Health Unit focused on autism care and training.
• Karen Ann Craig, Accounting: Exploring "Direct Indexing" for DIY investors.
• Marguerite DeBello, Nursing: Creating an educational strategy to boost health literacy among nursing students.
• Xianghong Feng, Sociology: Studying how WeChat affects relationships across generations in China.
• Brandon Johnson, Music and Dance: Collaborating with the Detroit Institute of Arts on choral music.

Two-Semester Sabbaticals:

• Ruth Ann Armitage, Chemistry: Enhancing archaeological methods through chemical analyses of textiles.
• Peter Bednekoff, Biology: Creating better road crossings for wildlife conservation.
• Devika Dibya Choudhuri, Leadership: Developing community interventions related to historical trauma.

Research shows that faculty sabbaticals not only benefit individual scholars but also enhance the academic environment as a whole. A recent survey by the American Association of University Professors indicated that over 85% of faculty believe their sabbatical experiences added significant value to their teaching and research skills.

Sabbaticals allow educators to recharge and bring fresh perspectives back to their classrooms. By investing in faculty projects, institutions like EMU strengthen academic programs and ultimately benefit students.

Founded in 1849, EMU is Michigan’s second-oldest public university, serving nearly 13,000 students across various disciplines. The university emphasizes applied education, which has led to numerous accolades in diversity and academic excellence. Learn more about EMU’s rankings here and its achievements here. For further details about the university, visit the official EMU website.

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