SUNY and Alan Alda Center Expand Systemwide Partnership to Empower Researchers
Strengthening the SUNY Research Ecosystem
On August 7, 2026, State University of New York (SUNY) Chancellor John B. King Jr. announced the expansion of a systemwide partnership with the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science. Entering its second year, this initiative aims to equip SUNY faculty and researchers with the crucial communication, leadership, and public engagement skills necessary to convey the real-world significance of their scientific discoveries.
The program directly supports the strategic goal of doubling research across the SUNY system. By bridging the gap between highly technical research and public comprehension, the initiative seeks to foster collaborative innovations that cross disciplinary and industrial boundaries.
Expanding Program Opportunities for Faculty
Through this expanded partnership, the Alda Center—headquartered at Stony Brook University—will offer multiple training tracks designed to make scientific research more accessible to policymakers, industry leaders, and the general public:
- The SUNY Research Leadership Academy (SRLA): Now accepting applications, this year-long program focuses on developing mid- to senior-level STEM and STEM-related faculty. Participants learn to work across sectors, lead complex collaborations, and champion public engagement.
- On-Site Campus Workshops: Beginning in Fall 2026, individual SUNY campuses can host tailored, on-site communication workshops. These interactive sessions use the renowned Alda Method®, which blends improvisational theater techniques with message-design strategies to help researchers build empathy and connect with diverse audiences.
- Systemwide Professional Development: The partnership offers online and hybrid programs to ensure faculty from all 64 SUNY campuses can access professional development, regardless of location.
The Alda Method: Empathy-Driven Communication
The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science was founded in 2009, inspired by actor, writer, and science advocate Alan Alda. The center has trained over 15,000 scientists and health professionals globally.
Instead of relying on rigid media-training templates, the center's signature Alda Method focuses on:
- Collaboration Over Transaction: Encouraging scientists to view communication as a collaborative relationship with their audience.
- Emotional Connection: Utilizing improvisational techniques to help researchers read non-verbal cues and practice empathy.
- Narrative Clarity: Translating complex technical data into vivid, clear, and compelling human stories.
As modern scientific research increasingly relies on public trust and interdisciplinary funding, this strategic investment prepares SUNY's academic workforce to lead with both intellectual acumen and accessible communication.