Vice Provost of Research

Dr. Burch is a dynamic, entrepreneurial-minded executive research administrator with extensive leadership experience in both higher education and industry. As Vice Provost for Research, he provides vision, direction and strategic planning to increase research funding and scholarly productivity to support TCU’s national research agenda.

The role of vice provost of research is essential to TCU’s strategic plan, LEAD ON: Values in Action, which emphasizes research, scholarship and creative activity as one of four main pillars. He has extensive experience in fostering collaborations, securing competitive funding and managing research priorities and infrastructure. His career includes building successful programs from the ground up, fostering a culture of innovation and bringing together expertise from various fields to address complex problems and develop comprehensively applied solutions

“Dr. Burch has a profound understanding of the research landscape and a career of accomplishments in research funding, interdisciplinary research collaborations and building research capacity at an R1 institution,” Wormley said. “His strengths in program building, leadership, innovation, invention, collaboration, relationship building, strategic vision and process optimization will catalyze our research, scholarship and creative activity.”

Burch oversees the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance and Integrity. He works closely with the TCU Provost, deans, Office of Graduate Studies, University Strategy & Innovation Office and TCU faculty and staff to expand TCU’s research enterprise. Under his leadership, TCU will increase research opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students and strengthen and establish collaborative programs and partnerships with institutions, agencies, industry and other organizations. Key priorities are to advance and enhance TCU’s research infrastructure, implement new initiatives to increase research support, and promote TCU’s research accomplishments to educate the broader community about the value of research.

Burch previously was to TCU associate vice president for research, executive director and founder of the Athlete Engineering Institute, Jack Hatcher Endowed Chair in engineering entrepreneurship, and professor of industrial and systems engineering at Mississippi State University . He holds a B.S. in computer engineering from Mississippi State University, M.E.M. in industrial and manufacturing system engineering from Kansas State University and Ph.D. in industrial and systems engineering from Mississippi State.

Reporting Units

Office of Research & Creative Activity 
TCU’s research agenda ensures that our work has vital impact on the world around us, as well as on the student experience through tangible engagement and active participation with faculty — a defining characteristic of our learning environment. TCU’s Office of Research assists faculty with proposal development, identification of possible funding sources, and research compliance.

Sponsored Programs
The Office of Sponsored Programs provides information, personal assistance, services and programs to faculty seeking  financial support for scholarly endeavors.

Research Compliance and Integrity
Research Compliance and Integrity assists TCU researchers with meeting professional, regulatory, and university requirements. They oversee key compliance programs to assure responsible conduct of research and integrity, and manage all research policies and procedures, research committees, and research technology and innovation.