Transdisciplinary Research Incubator

As part of the new Strategic Plan, Delivering on the Promise of Fordham, Fordham is launching a transdisciplinary research incubator (TRI) that will harness the intellectual power of our faculty and students to solve complex societal challenges. This initiative is an opportunity to create a hub for innovative research that will elevate Fordham's reputation as a leading research institution and make a tangible difference in the world.

In its inaugural year the incubator will bring together approximately five teams, comprising faculty, students, and external partners to tackle pressing issues, including those related to climate change, artificial intelligence, democracy, and migration, as well as other critical topics. These teams will be supported by a structured program that provides guidance, resources, and funding to help them achieve their research goals. 

  • Fordham's transdisciplinary research incubator promises to be a distinctive and bold initiative, uniquely positioning the university as an innovator in higher education. The incubator will:

    • Meet a Crucial Need: The incubator will sponsor research teams that directly address today's challenges by pursuing applied research.
    • Embrace a Holistic Approach: The incubator will transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries, bringing together diverse research teams to develop more robust and practical solutions to complex problems.  
    • Engage with External Partners: The incubator will actively involve external partners in the research process to combine the university's intellectual depth with the innovative spirit and practical knowledge of collaborators beyond the academy.  
    • Create Actionable Results: The incubator will prioritize producing actionable research outcomes, ensuring that the work product has a tangible impact.  

    Transdisciplinary teams of Faculty, students, and external partners will tackle pressing issues, including those related to climate change, artificial intelligence, democracy, and migration, as well as other critical topics.

  • March 2026: 

    RFP will be published on March 17, 2026. 

    Faculty form research teams and prepare RFP documents.

    April 2026: 

    Faculty RFPs are due.

    Project team topics and faculty members will be announced for the 2026-2027 academic year. 

    Student applications open.

    Student applications are reviewed, and students are notified of team selection.

    Project teams, including faculty and students, are formed and announced.

    May-August 2026: 

    Identification of external partners.

    September 2026: 

    TRI Kickoff for the 2026-2027 AY.

     

  • Atinuke (Tinu) Adediran, Professor of Law

    Orit Avishai, Professor of Sociology and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; Dean Fellow for Interdisciplinarity and Program Review

    Megan Bogia, Associate Director for Academic Programs and Strategic Initiatives, Fordham University Center for Ethics Education; Director, Master's Degree Program in Ethics and Society; Director, Undergraduate Bioethics Minor 

    Lenny Cassuto, Professor, English

    Holly Curtis, Assistant Provost for Corporate Relations

    Greg Donovon, Associate Professor of Communication and Media Studies

    Lauri Goldkind, Professor, Graduate School of Social Services

    Jessica Lang, Dean of Arts and Sciences; Professor of English

    Liz Matthews, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Social Services

    Adam Orford, Associate Professor of Law

    Brian J. Reilly, Associate Professor, Department of Languages and Cultures & Director, Center for Medieval Studies, Fordham University

    Yilu Zhou (GSB), Associate Professor and Area Chair, Information, Technology, and Operations, Gabelli School of Business

    Ex Officio:  

    Jonathan Crystal, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

    George Hong, Professor, Chief Research Officer & Associate Provost for Research

    Beth Semaya, Associate Provost for Graduate Programs 

  • Please submit TRI proposals via this link. 

    • The deadline for proposals is Friday, April 10, 2026, at 5 pm.  
    • Candidates will be notified by April 17, 2026

     

  • The student applications cycle will open in April 2026. A link to the application will be shared here by the end of March, 2026. 

  • March 5, 2026
    1:00-2:30 p.m.

    		 March 17, 2026 
    3:30-5:00 p.m.
    Faculty Mixer
    Held online    		 Faculty Mixer
    Bateman Room
    Fordham Law School

  • In its inaugural year 2026-2027, the Transdisciplinary Research Incubator will bring together approximately five teams. The inaugural TRI research teams will be announced by the end of April 2026. We look forward to sharing the teams and descriptions of their projects here.