Stony Brook University, Alan Alda Center and SUNY Launch Research Leadership Academy to Advance Inclusive STEMM Leadership

STONY BROOK, NY - July 25, 2025- Stony Brook University, the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, and the State University of New York (SUNY) are pleased to announce the launch of the SUNY Research Leadership Academy, a year-long SUNY-wide initiative designed to cultivate a new generation of research leaders. These leaders will strengthen SUNY's research enterprise by engaging the public, driving innovation, and championing inclusion across Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) fields, from every corner of New York State. The program will support up to 30 STEMM faculty from across SUNY campuses to adopt a paradigm shift where leadership is rooted in audience-centered communication. Leaders will actively address gender and other implicit biases to forge deep connections that foster more collaborative, inclusive, and empathic environments.

Grounded in the Alda Method®, participants will receive hands-on training in inclusive leadership practice, science communication, and public engagement focused on growing research capacity and building a stronger SUNY-wide network. The Academy was made possible through the generous support of the Henry Luce Foundation.

To support faculty participation, applicants' home campuses must provide $5,000 in funding plus travel support. Applications will require a CV, statement, and a letter of institutional support. Applications are now open and available online, with a deadline of August 15, 2025.

The inaugural cohort will begin the program in Fall 2025, with a kickoff meeting at Stony Brook University. The Academy is led by Stony Brook University's Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, the School of Communication and Journalism, the Office for Research and Innovation, and the Office of DI3, in partnership with the SUNY System Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development, underscoring SUNY's commitment to cultivating inclusive research leadership across the university system.

Participants selected to the academy will develop their own skill set enabling them to grow and create impact in five areas, working with experts and facilitators to:

• Strengthen audience-centered communication skills
• Deepen their capacity for inclusive and community-engaged leadership
• Gain tools to address gender and systemic biases in STEMM
• Build public trust through effective engagement
• Foster a SUNY-wide leadership network grounded in shared purpose

"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," said Alan Alda, founding member of the Center. "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 Academy builds on the Alda Center's legacy of advancing science communication for institutional impact and public understanding. Developed in partnership with the School of Communication and Journalism at Stony Brook University, it trains researchers and professionals in STEMM to apply audience-centered communication as a core strategy for driving civic trust in science.

"We are seeking visionary researchers prepared to lead, challenge conventions, and operate at the critical juncture where scientific insight informs public discourse," said Kevin Gardner, PhD, Vice President for Research and Innovation at Stony Brook University. "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."

While the Academy builds leadership capacity, it also tackles a deeper challenge in STEMM: helping researchers communicate in ways that inspire action, build trust, and support gender equity.

"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," said Laura Lindenfeld, PhD, Executive Director of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science and Dean of the School of Communication and Journalism at Stony Brook University. "Science thrives when we include the widest possible range of ideas and perspectives. To grow research, we have to find new ways to elevate those leaders and the ideas that they bring to the table. The Alda Center is central to this effort because the method we have developed to help people communicate more effectively builds genuine connections, fosters trust, and invites creativity, all of which are essential for growing STEMM."

The program is open to full-time STEMM faculty at the rank of associate professor or higher throughout SUNY. Applicants must be actively engaged in research and committed to advancing equity, communication, and collaboration in their fields. In addition to immersive workshops and mentorship, participants will design a capstone project that aligns with the Academy's mission of equity-driven research leadership that addresses pressing community needs.

"This is a powerful opportunity to expand leadership pathways for faculty across SUNY, providing bi-directional outcomes for the individual program participants and for research across the SUNY system," said Judith Brown Clarke, PhD, Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Chief Health Equity Officer. "We are especially excited about the Academy's potential to uplift different voices and build a culture of inclusion across our research communities. I'm thrilled to work with Dr. Gardner and Dr. Lindenfeld on this initiative."

For questions about the Academy, contact: [email protected] or visit the website at https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/research-innovation/suny-research-leadership-academy.

###

Stony Brook Research and Innovation

Stony Brook University (SBU) is a public R1 Research institution committed to groundbreaking discoveries and real-world application. As co-manager of Brookhaven National Laboratory and home to global research centers like the Turkana Basin Institute, SBU addresses complex challenges through cutting-edge research in areas such as quantum information science, advanced materials, and clean energy. SBU's comprehensive research initiatives advance knowledge and drive impactful solutions for the betterment of humanity. Its Incubator Program extends this research excellence into practical innovation. Providing over 100,000 square feet of space, the program supports startups across a wide array of technologies and connects companies and innovators with world-class technology, specialized facilities, SBU's renowned faculty, and critical early-stage financing. SBU also champions student innovation and entrepreneurship, transforming laboratory and classroom concepts into market-ready solutions. Our Incubator Program empowers student ventures within the university and Research and Development Park offers direct access to facilities, expert mentorship, and funding guidance to support groundbreaking enterprises.

Stony Brook School of Communication and Journalism

Stony Brook School of Communication and Journalism offers a variety of graduate and undergraduate programs in communication, science communication and journalism that emphasize ethical, engaging and inclusive research and storytelling across media platforms. Students graduate with a strong foundation of communication theory and research and gain practical skills in digital media through hands-on courses and professional experiences. The school's undergraduate journalism program is accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. It is also home to the Colvin Center for International Reporting and the Center for News Literacy and works in close collaboration with the internationally known Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science.

The Henry Luce Foundation seeks to deepen knowledge and understanding in pursuit of a more democratic and just world. Established in 1936 by Henry R. Luce, the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Time, Inc., the Luce Foundation advances its mission by nurturing knowledge communities and institutions, fostering dialogue across divides, enriching public discourse, amplifying different voices, and investing in leadership development.