Hosted by College of Arts and Sciences Dean Linda Aldoory, the February 6 summit brought together representatives across all schools and disciplines to strengthen collaboration, increase research visibility, and explore new opportunities for partnership. For many in attendance, it was the first opportunity to connect with their counterparts across the university in a dedicated forum focused specifically on center- and institute-based research. 

“This summit was an incredible opportunity to network and learn from each other, and discover common research priorities,” said Aldoory. “I’m looking forward to hearing where the sparks of collaboration land, and how future work will amplify the impact of centers and institutes to truly benefit the AU community and beyond.” 

A Pivotal Time

Photo: Evan Possley

The summit comes at a pivotal moment. In early 2025, American University earned R1 designation from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, officially recognizing it as a top-tier research university. On January 26, 2026, the university launched a new five-year strategic plan centered on curiosity and a distinctive vision for research, one that emphasizes curiosity, collaboration, and community engagement. 

“In our strategic plan, we talk about curiosity and about the ways AU approaches research in a distinct way. Research is not a solo sport. It is a team sport. It’s about bringing together your ideas as individuals, those of your colleagues within your department, across schools, and across the broader community,” said Provost Vicky Wilkins in recorded welcome remarks. “Our centers have become a home for that work.” 

She also described AU’s R1 designation as a defining moment. “Now we must define what R1 means for AU—how we bring together our research intensity and our strong liberal arts foundation. I believe they complement one another, and our centers are clear evidence of that.” 

Shared Excitement 

Photo: Evan Possley

Throughout the day, participants reflected a shared excitement about what collaboration could make possible. "AU centers and institutes are doing incredible, world-changing innovation work, and sharing space together really helps us to envision the next big ideas to benefit the American University community,” said School of Communication Professor Caty Borum, Executive Director of the Center for Media & Social Impact. “It was truly inspiring to be in community with such a motivated, brilliant group of doers and thinkers, and I know this is how big ideas come together." 

Participants brainstormed practical, student-centered goals, including strengthening networks among centers, expanding joint programming and grant collaboration, and elevating the visibility and impact of center-based research by bringing scholarship into AU classrooms and creating more hands-on learning and research opportunities for students. Faculty identified promising areas for cross-center partnership such as shared fundraising, new communications platforms, translating research into policy and practice, and expanding public engagement around complex issues, while emphasizing the importance of stronger student-focused storytelling and clearer pathways connecting scholarship with policymakers and community partners. 

As Professor Ernesto Castañeda, Director of AU’s Immigration Lab and Center for Latin American and Latino Studies points out, the centers are ideally positioned to translate scholarship into real-world engagement. “Located in Washington, DC, AU's centers address local issues by partnering with local public schools, nonprofits, and government agencies. Their work has national implications,” he said. “They also address pressing policy and social issues in Latin America, Europe, and around the world.” 

“The summit underscored a central theme of AU’s evolving research identity: meaningful impact happens when scholars work together,” said Aldoory. “By strengthening connections across schools and disciplines, and aligning their efforts with the university’s strategic priorities, AU’s centers and institutes are poised to play an even more visible role in advancing curiosity-driven research and magnifying its reach to the DC community and beyond.” 

Photo: Evan Possley

Attendees included: 

• Accountability Research Center 
• Antiracist Research and Policy Center (ARPC) 
• Bridging the Gap, Translating Research into Action Center 
• Carmel Institute of Russian Culture and History 
• Center for AI Research in the Sciences and Humanities 
• Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies 
• Center for Data Science 
• Center for Environment, Community, and Equity 
• Center for Environmental Filmmaking 
• Center for Israel Studies 
• Center for Language Exploration, Acquisition, and Research 
• Center for Latin American and Latino Studies 
• Center for Media and Social Impact
• Center for Neuroscience and Behavior 
• Center for Research and Collaborative Partnerships 
• Center on Health, Risk, and Society 
• Democracy Lab 
• Immigration Lab 
• Info-Metrics 
• Institute for Innovation in Education 
• Institute on Disability and Public Policy 
• Institute for Macroeconomics and Policy (IMPA) 
• Integrated Space Science and Technology Institute 
• Investigative Reporting Workshop 
• Justice Initiatives 
• Multiscale RECIPES for Sustainable Food Systems 
• Office of Research 
• Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab (PERIL) 
• STEM Partnerships, DC Space Grant, and ISE3 
• The Institute for Applied Artificial Intelligence (IAAI) 
• Transatlantic Policy Center 
• Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship