Chancellor King Announces Additional Support to Promote SUNY Research and Highlight Leading Researchers Across the System
August 7, 2026
SUNY Partners with the Alan Alda Center to Increase Opportunities for Faculty and Researchers to Strengthen Research Leadership and Strategic Communication; Applications Open for SUNY Research Leadership Academy
Interested SUNY Campuses Can Also Host On-Site Workshops Through the Alda Center Beginning This Fall
Albany, NY – State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. today announced the second year of a systemwide partnership between SUNY and the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science to support more SUNY researchers and faculty in strengthening their communication, leadership, and engagement skills to more effectively communicate the significance and impact of their research. Through the expanded partnership, the Alda Center's nationally recognized communication training will be available to eligible faculty members across the SUNY System with multiple program opportunities.
"SUNY research improves lives, strengthens communities, and drives innovation, and our partnership with the Alan Alda Center is part of our ongoing efforts to support our researchers," said SUNY Chancellor King. "As research becomes increasingly collaborative and connected to industry, it is more important than ever that we empower our researchers and faculty with the skills they will need to communicate their efforts across sectors and to the general public."
The SUNY Board of Trustees said, "SUNY is a national leader for academic and research excellence, and through our partnership with the Alan Alda Center, we are equipping more of our researchers and faculty with the leadership and communication skills needed to lead complex collaborations and expand the impact of their research. We will continue to advance Governor Hochul's goal of doubling research across the SUNY System, and ensure our faculty and researchers have the tools, facilities, and support needed to achieve that goal."
Through the expansion of its partnership with SUNY, the Alda Center's nationally recognized communication training programs will be open to faculty members throughout the System at various levels. New programs include 10 one-day Alda Method® Flagship Workshops beginning this Fall and the Alda Center Summer Accelerators, starting in Summer 2027. Through the Flagship Workshops, interested SUNY campuses will be able to bring hands-on training directly to their faculty and staff, helping them develop leadership and communication skills through the Alda Center's renowned programs, while staying on their home campuses. The training programs will advance researchers and faculty members' communication skills to connect with a range of audiences, lead research teams, and foster collaborations in and beyond SUNY.
Founded in 2009, the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science is located at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and has trained more than 35,000 scientists, engineers, healthcare professionals, and researchers worldwide. Through its evidence-based Alda Method®, the Center helps experts communicate more effectively with diverse audiences, including policymakers, industry partners, philanthropic organizations, media, and the public.
Dr. Andrea Goldsmith, President of State University of New York at Stony Brook, said, "Stony Brook is proud to partner with SUNY to expand the Research Leadership Academy and share the Alan Alda Center's internationally recognized communication training with faculty across the State University of New York system. Research has its greatest impact when experts can communicate their ideas clearly, build meaningful partnerships, and engage the people who can help turn discovery into action. Moreover, at a time of skepticism about science among the general public, there has never been a more critical time to clearly articulate the magic, importance, and benefits of scientific discovery to all Americans and, indeed, to people around the globe. By bringing the Alda Method® to more SUNY researchers, we are strengthening a culture of collaboration and ensuring that innovative ideas can make an even greater difference for the great state of New York and beyond."
The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science Executive Director Laura Lindenfeld said, "This Academy began with a simple question: if we can help scientists and engineers communicate their work all over the world and in organizations from AstraZeneca to NASA, why not here in our own backyard of SUNY? Expanding this partnership across the SUNY System means more experts will have the tools to connect their work to the people it's meant to serve — and to lead with clarity, confidence, and connection."
State Senator Monica Martinez said, "Those who dedicate themselves to a specific field develop a depth of knowledge and expertise that can have a profound impact on our communities. SUNY's continued partnership with the Alan Alda Center will give researchers even more tools to share that expertise in clear, engaging and meaningful ways. By strengthening connections between researchers and the communities they serve, this partnership will enhance the competitiveness of our campuses while helping New Yorkers better understand, engage with and benefit from the important work taking place across SUNY."
State Senator Anthony H. Palumbo said, "In today's busy world, where the 24-hour news cycle is delivered through soundbites and snippets, it is exceedingly important for scientific achievements and breakthroughs to be delivered in a way that both grabs the attention of the public and is informative. SUNY's continued partnership with the Alda center will provide New York's scientists and researchers with additional resources and training to help expand the reach of the incredible work they are doing. It will also ensure that the beauty of science continues to be conveyed to the next generation of students on Long Island, the state, and throughout the world."
State Assemblymember Rebecca Kassay said, "Stony Brook University has earned a national reputation as one of the country's leading public research institutions, and the Alan Alda Center has become a model for helping researchers communicate complex ideas in ways that resonate beyond academia. As legislators, we depend on sound research to guide policy decisions that affect our state, and greatly appreciate the translation of scientific findings and data into language and contexts that can be understood throughout our communities. Expanding this partnership across the SUNY system will help more researchers build meaningful collaborations, strengthen New York's research enterprise, and ensure their work reaches the policymakers, industry partners, and communities it is meant to serve."
State Assemblymember Tommy John Schiavoni said: "The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University is in a class of its own, and this systemwide partnership is proof of how powerful investing in public higher education can be. Under Chancellor King's leadership, SUNY is continuing to provide first-class experiences for people of all backgrounds, from experienced researchers to aspiring professionals around the world."
Associate Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the State University of New York at Albany Dola Saha said, "We all probably have done science communication at different levels, from K-12 to expert colleagues. The SUNY Research Leadership Academy taught me that any communication can be made more effective when it is audience-centered, thoughtfully crafted and grounded in core principles. This program provided practical tools to tailor our tone and language to connect with our audience and communicate the impact of my research that I can use every time I talk about my work."
Professor of Empire Innovation at the School of Computing at the State University of New York at Binghamton, Professor Nancy Lan Guo said, "The SUNY Research Leadership Academy has helped me establish valuable collaborations and partnerships. It has been an excellent experience, and I recommend it 100% to my colleagues."
Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Education at the State University of New York at Buffalo Sam Abramovich said, "The SUNY Research Leadership Academy challenged me to think beyond producing strong research and focus on communicating why that research matters. One of the most valuable aspects of the program was learning how to connect with audiences outside my own field, from policymakers to industry leaders. Those are skills that are becoming increasingly important for researchers who want their work to have real-world impact."
Associate Professor with the Department of Environment and Sustainability at the State University of New York at Buffalo Professor Susan Spierre Clark said, "Participating in the inaugural SUNY Research Leadership Academy was one of the most impactful professional development experiences of my career. It broadened my perspective on the role of research, reminding me that our work should not only advance knowledge but also create tangible benefits for society. The Academy helped me become a more effective communicator and introduced me to an extraordinary community of researchers working across disciplines to solve real-world problems. In an era when scientific expertise is often questioned or misunderstood, programs like this are essential for helping researchers build public trust and demonstrate why research matters."
Associate Professor of Neurology in the College of Medicine at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Suman Ghosh, MD said, "In pediatric neurology, families often have to absorb complicated information at an extremely difficult time. The Academy helped me pay closer attention to how I explain that information and how well I am listening to the questions and concerns behind it. That is something I can use every day with patients, families, colleagues, and the people I train."
Professor in the Department of Medicine at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Sabina Hirshfield said, "The Academy challenged me to think more intentionally about how I communicate my research. If we cannot clearly explain why our work matters to the people most affected by it, we have not fully met our responsibility as researchers. I left the Academy with a stronger ability to listen, communicate clearly, and bring others into the conversation."
Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Roseann E. Peterson, PhD said, "Genetics and precision medicine can be difficult to explain, even though the findings may have very personal implications for patients and families. The Academy gave me new ways to make this work more understandable and to communicate across disciplines. It also reinforced the importance of bringing people with different backgrounds and perspectives into the discussion."
Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at SUNY Upstate Medical University Jessica Henty-Ridilla and Associate Professor of Behavior Analysis Studies at Upstate Medical University Andrew Craig said, "Participating in the SUNY Research Leadership Academy through the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science transformed how we think about scientific communication. Rather than focusing on delivering a flawless presentation, we learned that authentic communication starts with curiosity, vulnerability, and a genuine desire to connect. By helping people understand why our work matters—not by trying to impress them—science becomes more engaging, accessible, and impactful. That lesson has shaped not only how we communicate our research, but also how we mentor students and lead our research programs."
In addition to the expansion of the partnership with the Alan Alda Center, applications for the second cohort of the SUNY Research Leadership Academy are also now open. The SUNY Research Leadership Academy, launched in July 2025, supports faculty and researchers by providing the communications skills needed to communicate effectively with audiences ranging from the general public to philanthropists and policymakers about the tangible, real-world benefits of research conducted across the SUNY System.
Through the Academy, faculty members participate in a year-long hands-on training program, led by the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, to advance collaboration across science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines, increase audience-centered communication, and amplify their research in and beyond SUNY. The application is currently open to SUNY faculty and is available online. The deadline to apply is August 7, 2026.
The SUNY Research Leadership Academy is made possible in part by a grant from the Henry Luce Foundation. This systemwide initiative is led by SUNY and the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science. The expanded partnership includes three major initiatives designed to build communication and leadership capacity throughout the SUNY System, forging a stronger statewide network that can bridge disciplines, strengthen partnerships, accelerate innovation, and amplify the impact of research conducted across SUNY.
About the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at the State University of New York, Stony Brook
The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science trains science and innovation experts to close the gap between their expertise and the people who need to understand it. Through the Alda Method® — grounded in improvisational theater techniques and evidence-based communication research — these experts learn to listen deeply, speak clearly, and connect authentically with decision-makers and public audiences. Founded in 2009 and based at the State University of New York at Stony Brook in Long Island, New York, the Center takes its name from Alan Alda, actor, author, and lifelong science advocate, and has trained tens of thousands of professionals across higher education, healthcare, and the private and nonprofit sectors. To learn more about the Alda Center, visit aldacenter.org.
About the Henry Luce Foundation
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.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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