Collection inventory

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Institute for Sensory Research Records

An inventory of the records at the Syracuse University Archives

Finding aid created by: Samantha Mairson
Date: 2017

Revision history:
Jan 2021	4 folders added (MAM)

Historical Note

The Institute for Sensory Research (ISR) was founded in 1958. The Institute brought together a community - from locally and abroad - which consisted of faculty, staff and students specializing in the study of sensory systems. Dr. Josef Zwislocki, Distinguished Research Professor of Neuroscience, was a founder and longtime leader of the ISR. The undergraduate program in bioengineering grew out of the Institute and was officially established in 1971. The Institute underwent growth and building expansion in the late 1980s. Throughout its phases of growth and change, the direction of the Institute was decided by an advisory committee and faculty meetings, which are well documented in this collection. From approximately 1977-1993, the Institute attracted Nobel prize-winning lecturers and renowned researchers via the distinguished Baule Lecture Series.

The Institute for Sensory Research operates today within the School of Engineering and Computer Science and is located on the Syracuse University South Campus. The facility is a singular building which consists of laboratories, workshops, a classroom and office space, and a reference library. Currently, the key areas of study are psychophysics, physiology, and the anatomy of auditory, somatosensory and visual systems. Experimental and mathematical methodology is emphasized, with research focuses on transmission of sensory stimuli (light, sounds and vibration), nerve impulses, and neurobiological perceptions of that stimuli. Applications of research conducted at ISR directly affect science, medicine and technology fields. Specific projects include cochlear implants, hearing protection, spatial vision, somatosensory transduction and tactile perception of consumer products.

Scope and Content Note

The Institute for Sensory Research (ISR) Records contain materials documenting the Institute's activities and priorities from 1961 to 2004. Records include correspondence and memoranda pertaining to daily matters, as well as correspondence and planning that span eras of construction, growth, and relationship-building with external scholars and corporate affiliates. The records also include press clippings and development documentation for print marketing, such as brochures. The records are arranged in the following series:

Advisory council meetings contains meeting agendas, memoranda related to council meetings and attendance, catering notes, minutes, and other such documentation.

Annual reports includes reports from 1983-1987, as well as an annual research report with documents circa 1965-1975.

Baule Lecture Series contains documents relating to the lecture series, the speakers, and colloquium.

Building planning contains records dating from 1986-1991 when the Institute was undergoing building expansion.

Correspondence includes letters and memoranda exchanged internally or with other University affiliates.

History includes records that give general background information about the Institute for Sensory Research (ISR), its personnel and curriculum development.

ISR brochures contains printed brochures and marketing materials.

ISR development office includes a broad sample of correspondence with external funders and assorted documentation related to fiscal support and development.

ISR faculty meetings contains documents relating to ISR faculty meetings from 1981-1990.

ISR growth plans includes documentation of plans for the Institute's future, such as 1-10 year plans, a draft report by Jozef Zwislocki, and documentation of the University climate for ISR-related priorities and expansion.

ISR operations notes contains records relating to site visits, external reports and policies at the Institute for Sensory Research.

Press contains clippings, newspapers, press releases and media relating to the Institute.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

School, college and department records are restricted to the office of origin for 30 years (after their creation). Requests to use restricted records must be obtained in writing from the office of origin.

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Related Material

The Archives holds the Jozef J. Zwislocki Papers, which contains materials relating to his work at the Institute of Sensory Research.

Selected Search Terms

Names

Zwislocki, Jozef J., 1922-
Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.
Syracuse University. -- College of Engineering.
Syracuse University. -- Institute for Sensory Research.

Types of Material

Administrative records.
Clippings (information artifacts)
Photograph albums.
Photographs.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Institute for Sensory Research Records,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Robert Smith, Research Professor Emeritus and Director of the Institute for Sensory Research, transferred the records to the University Archives in 2017.

Processing Information

Records were housed in acid-free boxes and some were re-foldered. Most of the original folder titles were kept.

Arrangement

Series and folders are arranged alphabetically, then chronologically where appropriate.

Table of Contents

Advisory council meetings

Annual reports

Baule Lecture Series

Building planning

Correspondence

History

ISR brochures

ISR development office

ISR faculty meetings

ISR growth plans

ISR operations

Press

Inventory