NIU’s computerized data base, Illinois Research Network, provides information to those searching for expertise on a given subject.

The network contains professional profiles on more than 6,000 Illinois faculty members from 12 universities, 800 of whom are from NIU. These faculty members have expert knowledge in various research areas.

IRN Coordinator Patricia Dembinski said, “IRN enables faculty, businesses and various agencies to locate resources within the faculty.”

The 23-item profiles include the name, address and telephone number of the faculty. They provide information regarding objectives, grants, employment, international activities and publications.

Anyone conducting research in any given area can call the IRN office and be given profiles of faculty members who are experts in that field.

IRN, which began in 1983, also provides information for marketing, technical assistance and media assistance.

“This is a benefit to NIU because it will highlight our faculty members and add to the data base,” Dembinski said.

Dembinski said IRN will not benefit students very much and it is more of a tool for the faculty.

Technical Commercialization Center Director Larry Sill frequently uses IRN. “We (the center) help clients get new products onto the market and sometimes we can’t provide the expertise or help they need.

“IRN contains the appropriate expertise, and that information is then given to the client,” he said.

IRN is currently a free service funded by the 12 universities, the Illinois Board of Higher Education, Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, Illinois State Chamber of Commerce and the Governor’s Commission on Science and Technology.

Sill said while the services are free of charge, there is talk of establishing a client fee.

The 11 other Illinois universities with IRN are Southern Illinois University, Eastern Illinois University, Illinois Institute of Technology, University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago, Southern Illinois University, Northwestern University, Western Illinois University, Illinois State University, Sangamon State University and University of Illinois at Champaign.