Stony Brook University has launched the first session of the SUNY Research Leadership Academy, bringing together 34 faculty members from across the State University of New York (SUNY) system. The year-long program is designed to improve science communication and public engagement among researchers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM).
The initial three-day session took place September 17-19 at Stony Brook. The next meeting is scheduled for November at the University at Buffalo.
Shadi Shahedipour-Sandvik, SUNY’s senior vice chancellor for research, innovation and economic development, opened the event by saying, “It is inspiring to see 34 of SUNY’s most accomplished faculty come together in this year’s SUNY Research Leadership Academy cohort. These scholars are already driving discovery and transforming lives through their research. This program, grounded in the proven Alda Method, equips them with new tools and connections to further amplify their impact — especially by strengthening how we communicate science and engage with the public.
“With Chancellor John B. King, Jr.’s leadership, we are building on SUNY’s commitment to advancing research excellence and public engagement. Looking ahead, we see the potential to expand this program to match the scale and scope of SUNY’s research enterprise, reaching even more experts across our campuses. I am deeply grateful to our partners and the Stony Brook team for making this possible.”
Laura Lindenfeld, executive director of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, explained the academy’s philosophy: “While you can be a good communicator without being a good leader, you cannot be a great leader without strong communication skills. True leadership isn’t about simply being the point-person in a room — it’s about actively engaging, guiding conversations, and inspiring others to embrace a shared mission and vision that drives meaning.”
She continued by encouraging participants to connect with each other as a reminder that leadership involves genuine connection. Lindenfeld added: “Good leaders take full ownership of outcomes while empowering others to lead alongside them. The Alan Alda Center’s science communication experience is about planting those leadership seeds in scholars, researchers, and professionals across industries, then cultivating them for sustained growth. This Academy, in partnership with SUNY, is about taking the transformative power of that Alda essence to a much bigger stage.”
The academy uses improvisational techniques developed by the Alda Method to help researchers build trust and communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
The initiative was co-led by Stony Brook’s Office for Research and Innovation along with its Office of DI3. It was made possible through support from the Henry Luce Foundation.
Kevin Gardner, vice president for research and innovation at Stony Brook University said that the program seeks “visionary researchers prepared to lead, challenge conventions, and operate at the critical juncture where scientific insight informs public discourse.” He noted that higher education institutions have often struggled to explain how their research benefits society—especially important for state-funded universities—making such training essential.
Judi Brown Clarke, vice president for equity and inclusion at Stony Brook University emphasized listening as key: “Training leaders to actively listen to the range of viewpoints and concerns of various perspectives creates a direct path for innovation that aligns with people’s real-world needs, while also advancing cutting-edge science,” she said. “It enables our researchers to effectively build teams that genuinely reflect the communities they aim to reach and are equipped to meaningfully address their needs.”
Participants expressed interest in developing better communication skills as well as expanding professional networks within SUNY.
Christine Schaner Tooley from University at Buffalo commented on growing urgency around effective science communication: “I think now we are all looking for a sense of belonging so building scientific understanding with the public is going to be more and more vital,” she said. “I hope the academy will help me find my voice within my department and think of better ways to reach out to the community.”
Jingyun Wang from SUNY College of Optometry noted challenges explaining complex ideas: “I already realized the bottleneck of my research is communication,” she said.
Lindenfeld highlighted plans for leveraging expertise across New York State: “Focusing the leadership academy on communication will equip these remarkable researchers to clarify the impact of their work for New York and the nation… Building strength across SUNY is essential to advancing scientific discovery and that their power depends on communication: the glue that builds trust bridges divides and ensures all voices are heard.”
The academy will continue throughout this academic year with virtual sessions plus three additional meetings statewide; organizers plan future expansion as part of broader efforts by SUNY—which includes 64 campuses serving nearly 400000 students—to enhance its research impact.
Sara Hamideh from Stony Brook underscored benefits beyond individual development: “It’s incredibly important to connect to strong leaders across SUNY who are now in the room… The unique benefit of being part of a statewide program is seeing yourself in that bigger context… which I think is very powerful because it gives you more relevance and meaning.”
