Not Alone: Leaders in Focus
Unfiltered perspectives on global issues by research and academic leaders
![Banner featuring Dr Rafael L Bras is Editor of Not Alone: Leaders in Focus and Professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology.](jpg/header-not-alone-landing-page-mobilec30b.jpg?fm=webp&w=750&q=75)
Who we are
Not Alone is designed to disseminate the ideas of established, extraordinary academic leaders to inspire, provoke and spark conversation. Contributors are chosen for their prominence and influence in research, higher education and related fields. They select the topics — with conviction and passion being the only requirements.
Our format includes short essays, video interviews and a new podcast series.
Rafael L Bras, ScD | Editor, Not Alone; Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology
![Prof Rafael Bras, ScD](jpg/prof-rafael-bras-phd88a9.jpg?fm=webp&w=500&q=75)
Prof Rafael L Bras, ScD
New podcast series opens with John Hennessy
In the inaugural episode of Not Alone: Leaders in Conversation, host Rafael Bras engages in a profound discussion with Dr John Hennessy, esteemed academic leader and Chairman of Google’s parent company, Alphabet. Dr Hennessy shares his insights on shaping higher education, his journey from Stanford professor and president to influential entrepreneur, and the pivotal experiences that shaped his career.
![Tile for the inaugural Not Alone podcast episode featuring John Hennessy, Chairman of Alphabet.](jpg/not-alone-podcast-tile-hennessyd4ac.jpg?fm=webp&w=400&q=75)
Social impact in higher education
Identifying the role of universities in catalyzing social and economic change, health equity and sustainable development — and measuring their impact
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Turning the supertanker: How do we steer research universities even more toward impact?
Amid global crises and mounting competition for funding, it’s time to raise our game and show the wider benefits universities can bring.
![Prof Sir Anton Muscatelli quote: "In a world which is increasingly uncertain and dominated by major shocks, our students and staff care about how our university can be a force for good.](jpg/anton-muscatelli-quote-teaser33bd.jpg?fm=webp&w=1260&q=75)
Accountability and measurement in higher ed
See how universities and their leaders are supporting accountability, transparency and the evolution of metrics and rankings
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Evidence-based assessment, equity and opportunity
When it comes to assessing academic career progress, metrics can be deceptive, especially when evaluating individuals from diverse backgrounds.
![Quote by Prof Margaret Sheil, President, Queensland University of Technology: "The reason metrics and other indicators have such widespread currency is not just because they provide the illusion of accuracy; it is because they are so convenient."](jpg/margaret-sheil-quote-card-4x333bd.jpg?fm=webp&w=1260&q=75)
The future of research and higher education
New approaches, perspectives and policies in higher education and beyond
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Think LEGO towers, not ivory: How we can rebuild trust in higher ed
The founder of edX highlights 4 major issues with higher ed and how to “create a new reality … that puts the learner squarely in the center”
![Quote card with Anant Agarwal, Founder of edX: "For Gen Z, the ivory tower is crumbling fast. Together, we just take bold steps to put learners at the center of the new future we are building in higher education"](jpg/anant-agarwal-quote-teaser33bd.jpg?fm=webp&w=1260&q=75)
Technology
Delve into how technology and AI are transforming research and higher education.
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AI for Science: a paradigm shift for scientific discovery and translation
To harness the power of AI for science and society, we need to change the fundamental way scientific research is conducted
![Quote by Dr Theresa Mayer, VP for Research, Carnegie Mellon University: "AI for Science — a new paradigm for scientific discovery and translation — has the potential to accelerate the pace of innovation like never before."](http://images.ctfassets.net/o78em1y1w4i4/1zEbcqX8ZgPAScQTVODtXZ/62b226cc8c0f8da0891feb57b8a2d50a/Theresa-Mayer-quote-card-4x3.jpg?fm=webp&w=1260&q=75)
Diversity & Inclusion in higher ed
Explore how universities are advancing diversity, equity and inclusion — and why it’s so important
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Leadership diversity: Living your values at the highest levels
The Chancellor of UC Santa Cruz writes about the steps her university is taking to attract diverse applicant pools for leadership positions.
![Quote by UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cynthia K Larive: "There's not one magic approach that suddenly creates a diverse leadership team. The practices we have implemented work in conjunction with one another."](http://images.ctfassets.net/o78em1y1w4i4/2Ed3WiYsLPwUqzJ4nX7ihp/82ec695f553e4fdfeaed3d35d5ae8e84/Cynthia-Larive-quote-teaser.jpg?fm=webp&w=1260&q=75)
Collaboration and partnerships in higher education
Perspectives on collaboration in academia, including town-gown relationships, collaboration with industry and international partnerships
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No university is an island: How to foster town-gown partnerships for impactful outcomes
Universities must collaborate with businesses, communities and government to tackle society’s grand challenges locally and beyond
![Quote by UC Davis Chancellor Gary S May: "The days of ivory towers must end. Town-gown collaborations are more crucial than ever if we are to solve society's greatest challenges."](http://images.ctfassets.net/o78em1y1w4i4/6vTGvGkRwsjto6NDl36Jmo/c5a462c3d6c108b120a5dc57af8059d5/Gary-S-May-quote-teaser.jpg?fm=webp&w=1260&q=75)
Leadership
Explore leadership strategies and best practices in higher education and beyond
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The brain science behind effective leadership
Science shows us why we must be deliberate in exposing young leaders to different assignments — within and outside their areas of expertise
![Quote by Ralph de la Vega, former Vice Chairman of AT&T: "Leaders who have learned to use both brain networks and switch seamlessly from one to the other will be better equipped to handle tough challenges."](http://images.ctfassets.net/o78em1y1w4i4/2nrFaVYqie29k7ngwxbcsX/34e65d939fe02e691c0ab3e1c42fb3d4/Ralph-de-la-Vega-quote-teaser.jpg?fm=webp&w=1260&q=75)
This content is from Not Alone, a monthly publication that showcases new perspectives on global issues directly from research and academic leaders.