Stony Brook University, in partnership with the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science and the State University of New York (SUNY), has announced the creation of the SUNY Research Leadership Academy. This year-long initiative aims to develop research leaders across SUNY campuses who will promote public engagement, innovation, and inclusion within Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) fields throughout New York State.
The program will support up to 30 STEMM faculty members from various SUNY institutions. Participants will focus on leadership rooted in audience-centered communication and work to address gender and other implicit biases. The training is based on the Alda Method and includes hands-on instruction in inclusive leadership practices, science communication, and public engagement. The Academy was established with support from the Henry Luce Foundation.
Applicants’ home campuses are required to provide $5,000 in funding plus travel support for participating faculty. Applications are now open online until August 15, 2025. The first cohort is scheduled to begin in Fall 2025 with a kickoff meeting at Stony Brook University.
The Academy is led by several units at Stony Brook University: the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, School of Communication and Journalism, Office for Research and Innovation, and Office of DI3. It also partners with the SUNY System Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development.
Alan Alda, founding member of the Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University said: “For fifteen years, the Center for Communicating Science has enabled women and men in STEMM to be better communicators. It’s made them better leaders. The new Research Leadership Academy is the perfect way to bring our training to all of SUNY. We’re excited to get started on this wonderful project.”
The initiative builds on efforts by the Alda Center and Stony Brook’s School of Communication and Journalism to train researchers in effective science communication as a means to increase civic trust in science.
Kevin Gardner, PhD, Vice President for Research and Innovation at Stony Brook University stated: “We are seeking visionary researchers prepared to lead, challenge conventions, and operate at the critical juncture where scientific insight informs public discourse. With essential support from SUNY and the Henry Luce Foundation, the Leadership Academy will provide our faculty with the leadership capabilities and a dynamic collaborative network to pursue groundbreaking, multidisciplinary research that truly moves us ahead, accelerating progress in science and enhancing the quality of life for all.”
Laura Lindenfeld, PhD—Executive Director of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science—added: “Effective communication is at the heart of leadership. Research that serves society demands leaders who listen, connect and respond to people’s needs and concerns… To grow research we have to find new ways to elevate those leaders… The Alda Center is central… because [our] method… builds genuine connections fosters trust invites creativity all … essential for growing STEMM.”
Full-time STEMM faculty holding associate professor rank or higher are eligible if they are engaged in research focused on equity collaboration or communication within their field. Selected participants will take part in workshops mentorships design capstone projects aligned with equity-driven research leadership addressing community needs.
Judith Brown Clarke PhD Vice President for Equity & Inclusion Chief Health Equity Officer commented: “This is a powerful opportunity to expand leadership pathways for faculty across SUNY providing bi-directional outcomes … I’m thrilled to work with Dr Gardner & Dr Lindenfeld on this initiative.”
Stony Brook University is recognized as an R1 institution conducting advanced research including partnerships such as co-managing Brookhaven National Laboratory [https://www.bnl.gov/world/], running global centers like Turkana Basin Institute [https://turkanabasin.org/], advancing quantum information science [https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/quantum-information-science/index.php], developing clean energy solutions [https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/research-innovation/faculty-research/focus-areas.php#cleanenergy], supporting startups through its Incubator Program [https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/incubator/about/index.php], connecting innovators with technology resources early-stage financing mentorship facilities guidance through its R&D Park [https://www.stonybrook.edu/research/rndpark/] .
The School of Communication & Journalism offers undergraduate graduate programs emphasizing ethical inclusive storytelling practical digital media skills accredited journalism degrees houses Colvin Center International Reporting News Literacy collaborates closely with Alan Alda Center [https://journalism.stonybrook.edu/about/] .
The Henry Luce Foundation was founded by Time Inc.’s co-founder Henry R Luce supports knowledge communities dialogue across divides amplifies voices invests in leadership development toward democracy justice [https://www.hluce.org/about-us/history-and-mission/] .
For more information about applying or participating visit https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/research-innovation/suny-research-leadership-academy.
