President Melissa Gilliam Outlines Bold “North Star” Vision for Boston University’s Future
“Convergence is the key to who we are, and who we can be—it is our North Star,” said Boston University President Melissa Gilliam in her first Presidential Address, outlining a bold vision for the future of BU. Convergent research brings experts from distinct disciplines together to break down barriers, combine expertise, and collaborate to solve complex challenges.
“Boston University will be the global destination of discovery, education, and human connection—an epicenter where disciplines, communities, and realities merge and visionary thinkers unite to create transformative experiences and solutions for the world’s greatest challenges,” Gilliam said.
The University assembled a group of faculty tasked with identifying critical areas “where we can excel at convergent research,” the president said. IGS Director Benjamin Sovacool is among the Task Force members selected to lead this Initiative, along with other faculty who include several IGS affiliates: Lucy Hutyra (College of Arts & Sciences), Jonathan Levy (School of Public Health), Deborah Carr (College of Arts & Sciences), Kevin Gallagher (Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies), and Kenneth Lutchen (Vice President and Associate Provost for Research), who helmed the group.
“Boston University will be the global destination of discovery, education, and human connection—an epicenter where disciplines, communities, and realities merge and visionary thinkers unite to create transformative experiences and solutions for the world’s greatest challenges.”
– President Melissa Gilliam
The Task Force named global sustainability one of its eight priority areas of convergent research. Learn more in BU Today.