The Not Alone Podcast: Leaders in conversation

In this episode of Not Alone: Leaders in conversation , host Rafael Bras sits with President Lily Kong to probe trust, purpose, and the future of universities through the lens of Singapore’s model and global headwinds. From neutrality to rankings and the 100-year life, we explore how institutions can rebuild relevance without losing their soul. Topics include: • Singapore’s planning state and educ...

In this episode of Not Alone: Leaders in conversation , we trace how university leadership split between internal stewardship and external politics, and what that means for mission, trust, and culture. Robert A. Brown lays out why research finance is fragile, how immigration and AI shape the future, and where focus and courage will be required. Topics include: • Growth of constituencies and the pr...

In this episode of Not Alone: Leaders in Conversation, host Rafael Bras speaks with Tony Chan about building a Western-style research university inside a rapidly changing Saudi Arabia, the rising political pressure on US academia, and what AI can and cannot do. The through line is leadership that protects the university’s soul while adapting to new realities. Topics include: • Why KAUST adopted US...

In this episode of Not Alone: Leaders in Conversation, Prof. Ana Mari Cauce reflects on her decade-long presidency at the University of Washington, exploring how authenticity, values, and a commitment to both diversity and free speech guided her leadership through turbulent times. Topics include: • The journey from "reluctant administrator" to transformative university president • Why di...

In this episode of Not Alone: Leaders in Conversation, host Rafael Bras speaks with Prof Dawn Freshwater, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Auckland, New Zealand. The conversation covers Prof Freshwater’s unique journey, from leaving school early to becoming a prominent academic leader across multiple continents. They delve into the challenges of higher education; the importance of fairness and...

Academic leaders gather at Elsevier's 2025 Impact Conference to discuss how higher education can respond to global disruption and inspire hope through evidence-based solutions. • Judy Verses (Elsevier) discusses rebuilding trust in academia through open conversations and finding alignment on shared goals • Trust erosion patterns differ between US and European higher education systems due to s...

Academic leaders engage in a candid exploration of higher education's role in society, examining how universities can better articulate their value while staying true to their missions amidst rapid technological and social change. • The relationship between academia and private industry through the lens of Jurassic Park, where university research prioritizes public good over profit • Universi...

In this episode of Not Alone Leaders in Conversation, hosted by Rafael Bras, Dr. Timothy Killeen, President of the University of Illinois System, shares his vast experience and insights from an extensive career spanning physics, geophysics, and academic leadership. Dr. Killeen discusses his early life in Cardiff, his shift from pure physics to atmospheric sciences, and the various leadership roles...

In this episode of Not Alone: Leaders in Conversation , Dr Marcia McNutt, President of the US National Academy of Sciences , reflects on her remarkable journey and experiences in the realm of science and research policy. Dr McNutt, a renowned geophysicist and leader, delves into her early life influences, academic challenges, and career milestones, including her transitions from MIT to the Montere...

In this episode of Not Alone: Leaders in Conversation , host Rafael Bras discusses higher education, public health, and leadership with Julio Frenk, the incoming chancellor of the University of California, Los Angeles. Frenk, a former president of the University of Miami, shares his rich background—from his family's escape from Nazi Germany to his groundbreaking reforms as Mexico's Minis...

In the latest episode of Not Alone: Leaders in Conversation , host Rafael Bras engages in an in-depth discussion with Prof Larry Bacow, one of America’s most esteemed academic leaders, having held prestigious positions at MIT, Tufts and Harvard. The conversation, recorded on Oct 16, 2024, covers a wide range of topics including Prof Bacow’s aversion to titles, his career shaped by mentorship and s...

In this episode of Not Alone: Leaders in Conversation , hosted by Rafael Bras, Prof Robert Langer of MIT talks about his impressive career and contributions to medicine, including the co-founding of Moderna and the development of groundbreaking drug delivery systems.   He shares his early influences, experiences with ADHD, the challenges he faced in academia, and his thoughts on leadership.  Their...

In the inaugural episode of Not Alone: Leaders in Conversation, host Rafael Bras engages in a profound discussion with John Hennessy, esteemed academic leader and Chairman of Alphabet. Prof 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.    The conversation t...