Advice for Future STEM Leaders: Don’t Forget to Look Outward Norberto M. Grzywacz Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Georgetown University
“Nature knows nothing about disciplinary boundaries.” Redrawing the Boundaries: New Academic Structures for New Academic Realities. James J. Duderstadt, 1992
Complex social problems know nothing about disciplinary boundaries. (Norberto’s generalization.)
We are transforming the Graduate School. “New” Grad School The Georgetown Graduate School will be a School of Interdisciplinary Studies, with a focus on complex, urgent social problems.
Some programs already associated with the Graduate School are of this nature. Master in Communication, Culture, & Technology Master in Analytics Master in Global Health Ph.D. in Global Infectious Diseases
What kind of programs will the Grad School create? Graduate School Infectious Diseases Social Economy Aging Environmental Metrology and Policy Epidemiology: Health Disparities Technology Diplomacy ≈ 10 other programs Drug Discovery Big Data Public Policy Biology Psychology Economics Chemistry Physics Public Policy
Growth of Graduate Education Rally Around Important Problems Inter- disciplinary Programs Master Ph.D. Inter- disciplinary Programs Master Ph.D. Prof. 1 Prof. 2 Prof. 3 Prof. 4 Dept. 1 School 1 Dept. 2 School 2 Business Model
Growth of Graduate Education Rally Around Important Problems Inter- disciplinary Programs Master Ph.D. Inter- disciplinary Programs Master Ph.D. Prof. 1 Prof. 2 Prof. 3 Prof. 4 Dept. 1 School 1 Dept. 2 School 2 $ $ Business Model Joint Appointments
Summary We plan a growth of the Graduate School creating new programs focuses on complex and urgent social issues. STEM, looking outward not inward, is fundamental to our projects. A good design of the business model is crucial; we will invest a fraction of the tuition revenue directly into research.