Not Alone: Leaders in Conversation

Rafael L Bras

Not Alone is a service. It is designed to disseminate the ideas of established, extraordinary academic leaders to inspire, generate conversation and showcase the best in academia and related businesses and institutions. The contributions are short and deal with a single subject, by design.

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Episodes

In conversation with ... Larry Bacow
Jan 31 2025
In conversation with ... Larry Bacow
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 serendipity, the role of parental influence, addressing public perception of higher education, managing institutional challenges, and the current issues of diversity and inclusion in academia. Prof Bacow also delves into his principles of leadership and reflects on his contributions to initiatives on the legacy of slavery and academic admissions. The episode provides valuable insights for anyone in or aspiring to be in academic leadership.  [AB1]Note: Title of series is in Ital with no quotes00:00:00 Introduction to Not Alone Leaders in Conversation00:00:51 Introducing Dr. Larry Bacow00:01:29 Larry Bacow's Leadership Philosophy00:04:32 The Role of Mentors in Larry's Career00:08:10 Larry's Family Background and Values00:16:34 Challenges and Reflections on Leadership00:20:29 Navigating Unusual Career Paths00:31:44 Challenges Facing Higher Education00:32:25 Public Perception and Cost Control00:34:01 Research Mission and Economic Impact00:36:15 Accessibility and Affordability in Elite Institutions00:42:06 Governance and Leadership in Universities00:49:59 Supreme Court Decision on Race in Admissions00:55:08 Addressing the Legacy of Slavery01:00:09 Reflections on Anti-Semitism and Discrimination01:04:15 Concluding Thoughts and Future Optimism01:07:10 Closing Remarks and Call to Action
In conversation with ... Robert Langer
Nov 26 2024
In conversation with ... Robert Langer
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 conversation also delves into the evolution of biological sciences, the importance of entrepreneurship in higher education, and Langer’s dedication to teaching and innovation. Amid reflections on his significant achievements, including the rapid development of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, Langer emphasizes the critical balance between academic pursuit and real-world application. 00:00:00 Introduction to Not Alone Podcast00:00:52 Introducing Professor Robert Langer00:02:19 Early Life and Influences00:04:02 Challenges with ADD and Academic Journey00:05:55 Personal Anecdotes and Religion00:08:04 Collaborations and Family00:10:22 MIT Career and Department Challenges00:18:26 Leadership and Mentorship00:23:21 Balancing Academia and Industry00:26:22 Advancements in Biology and Health Sciences00:30:39 Debating the Impact of CRISPR00:31:42 Future Medical Treatments with CRISPR00:32:39 Challenges in Treating Diseases00:34:23 Public Perception of Higher Education00:36:03 Free Speech and Campus Protests00:40:11 Entrepreneurship in Academia00:42:51 Balancing Academia and Entrepreneurship00:48:07 The Story of Moderna00:57:15 Reflections and Personal Insights01:02:07 Closing Remarks and Gratitude
In conversation with ... John Hennessy
Sep 30 2024
In conversation with ... John Hennessy
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 touches on the importance of mentorship, the evolving landscape of academia, technological advancements like AI, and leadership traits outlined in Hennessy's book Leading Matters. An inspiring dialogue for academic leaders, professionals in the field, and anyone interested in the future of higher education.00:00:00 - Introduction to Not Alone Podcast00:00:53 - Meet John Hennessy: The Godfather of Silicon Valley00:03:23 - Early Influences and Upbringing00:04:16 - The Role of Luck in Success00:06:10 - Mentorship and Leadership Lessons00:07:28 - Traits of Effective Leaders00:10:31 - The Knight Hennessy Scholars Program00:13:08 - Challenges in Academic Leadership00:15:13 - The Future of Higher Education00:23:15 - Technology and Education00:25:15 - Universities and Entrepreneurship00:33:22 - Navigating AI in Academia00:34:29 - The Rapid Rise of AI00:35:39 - Breakthroughs and Transformations in AI00:39:05 - The Role of Universities in AI Development00:42:36 - Challenges and Future of AI00:49:37 - Ethics and Regulation of AI00:51:19 - Preparing for the AI Revolution00:55:53 - Personal Reflections and Legacy01:02:45 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts