Schmidt Sciences

The launch of the inaugural Interdisciplinary Science Rankings has demonstrated an inspiring global ambition to do science differently. https://lnkd.in/dBiVuqtj By bringing together perspectives, ideas, and skills, interdisciplinary science broadens our view and enhances our ability to innovate and solve the complex problems facing science and society.?? But it is challenging to do science differently, to cross the lines, to break down the barriers. Our aspiration in supporting the Times Higher Education Rankings was to fuel a global conversation: How can we best support the most creative and courageous interdisciplinary science at the individual, institutional, national, and international level? What can we do differently? With 749 institutions from 92 countries participating (the largest Rankings debut in Times Higher Education’s history) and more than 250 academic leaders, business leaders, researchers, funders, and policymakers joining a dedicated Forum to explore how we drive positive culture change, that conversation is now live. Massachusetts Institute of Technology was ranked number one and its Vice-President for Research Ian Waitz described the inaugural Rankings as an “impressive and audacious” project that would drive progress at scale across the research sector. And whilst established research regions performed strongly, the Rankings are also remarkable for the diversity of engaged institutions. Phil Baty, Times Higher Education’s Chief Global Engagement Officer, said the Rankings demonstrated a “real hunger across the world’s higher education sector to show their commitment to interdisciplinarity science and a desire to better understand, benchmark, and recognize their interdisciplinary work." And our Founding Executive Director Dr. Megan Kenna underlined the vital need to develop and adopt new approaches to science. ?“The solutions we need for the 21st century will not come from a single discipline. “They will come from the fertile intersection of fields like biology and data science or engineering and economics. “They will come from bringing together people who don’t think alike but who think differently, creatively, and courageously.” She added: “These rankings are more than a list — they are a statement of values, declaring that the future of science is collaborative, inclusive, and unafraid of complexity.”

The inaugural Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Rankings in association with Schmidt Science Fellows, is live! Explore the groundbreaking Rankings that redefine global research excellence here: https://lnkd.in/epSySqFF For the first time ever, academic institutions are being recognized for interdisciplinary science excellence, evaluated through detailed methodology and comprehensive data. This platform, the largest Rankings debut in Times Higher Education’s history,? will accelerate global progress in interdisciplinary research by championing best practice wherever it is found and by highlighting the trends and practices that are driving success. By developing relevant, clear, and measurable metrics for the Rankings, our intention is to help universities across the world track their progress in creating environments where interdisciplinary science can flourish. Dr. Megan Kenna, our Founding Executive Director, said: “This Ranking marks a pivotal step in advancing interdisciplinary research worldwide. “It provides institutions with critical insights to strengthen their efforts, learn from global leaders, and create environments where innovative thinking thrives. “ By championing interdisciplinary science, we are not only addressing today’s most pressing challenges but also empowering future generations to drive innovation and tackle the unknowns of tomorrow.” ?? Congratulations to Massachusetts Institute of Technology on the number one Ranking ?? Thank you to the 749 institutions across 92 countries who participated in the inaugural Rankings ?? Thank you to all who engaged with us over the past two years through roundtables, masterclasses, and workshops and helped us refine the approach. ?? Thank you to everyone at Times Higher Education, Phil Baty, Duncan Ross, Billy Wong, Sol R., Jhesselle Leonor and Dominic Garcia for bringing your rigor and expertise and making the Rankings a reality. We will continue this engagement as we strengthen the Rankings and next year’s work will evolve to reflect our learnings and suggestions from universities. The 2026 Interdisciplinary Science Ranking data collection cycle commences on Monday 13 January 2025. By embracing interdisciplinarity, universities are not only solving today’s most pressing challenges but paving the way for a brighter, more innovative future.

Over 400 years ago, the scientific revolution gave birth to the modern world - but today, the challenges the world faces call not for a scientific revolution, but for a revolution in science. So said Dr. Megan Kenna, at an inspirational evening dinner hosted by Megan, Schmidt Science Fellows and Schmidt Sciences to mark the launch of the inaugural Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Rankings. She said: The scientific revolution "was an era of extraordinary courage and creativity, led by figures like Galileo and Newton, who dared to challenge conventions and redefine what was possible. "That revolution brought us the scientific method, disciplines like physics and chemistry, and the foundation for engineering and modern medicine. "But today, the challenges the world faces call not for a scientific revolution, but for a revolution in science.? "For a change in how science is done. "Because in recent decades, the structures of academia, research funding, and publication have rewarded an ever-increasing and narrow specialization. "While depth of expertise is essential, so too is breadth of knowledge and the ability to connect ideas across disciplines. And yet the culture that has grown up around science too often encourages researchers to stay in their lanes and to take incremental steps rather than bold leaps. "But let me remind you: that the most profound breakthroughs of the past century—the double-helix structure of DNA, the COVID-19 vaccine, and artificial intelligence—they did not emerge from scientists staying in their own lanes. They came from the scientists that were willing to cross them. "Likewise, the solutions we need for the 21st century will not come from a single discipline.?They will come from the fertile intersection of fields like biology and data science or engineering and economics. "They will come from bringing together people who don’t think alike -- but who think differently, creatively, and courageously. "This is why the inaugural Interdisciplinary Science Ranking we celebrate tonight is so vital. For the first time, we are recognizing and championing the universities breaking barriers and harnessing the power of interdisciplinarity." View the rankings here: https://lnkd.in/dQTmDyet With huge thanks to Duncan Ross, Billy Wong, Sol Ramos and Jhesselle Leonor for their work to deliver this project, to Keith Burnett and Ruth Arnold for advocating for THE, to Megan, Matt Goode and all at Schmidt Science Fellows for their vision and drive, and to Wendy Schmidt and Stu Feldman and everyone at Schmidt Sciences for their world-changing philanthropy. #THEUnirankings #THEISR #THEISF

The inaugural Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Rankings in association with Schmidt Science Fellows, is live! Explore the groundbreaking Rankings that redefine global research excellence here: https://lnkd.in/epSySqFF For the first time ever, academic institutions are being recognized for interdisciplinary science excellence, evaluated through detailed methodology and comprehensive data. This platform, the largest Rankings debut in Times Higher Education’s history,? will accelerate global progress in interdisciplinary research by championing best practice wherever it is found and by highlighting the trends and practices that are driving success. By developing relevant, clear, and measurable metrics for the Rankings, our intention is to help universities across the world track their progress in creating environments where interdisciplinary science can flourish. Dr. Megan Kenna, our Founding Executive Director, said: “This Ranking marks a pivotal step in advancing interdisciplinary research worldwide. “It provides institutions with critical insights to strengthen their efforts, learn from global leaders, and create environments where innovative thinking thrives. “ By championing interdisciplinary science, we are not only addressing today’s most pressing challenges but also empowering future generations to drive innovation and tackle the unknowns of tomorrow.” ?? Congratulations to Massachusetts Institute of Technology on the number one Ranking ?? Thank you to the 749 institutions across 92 countries who participated in the inaugural Rankings ?? Thank you to all who engaged with us over the past two years through roundtables, masterclasses, and workshops and helped us refine the approach. ?? Thank you to everyone at Times Higher Education, Phil Baty, Duncan Ross, Billy Wong, Sol R., Jhesselle Leonor and Dominic Garcia for bringing your rigor and expertise and making the Rankings a reality. We will continue this engagement as we strengthen the Rankings and next year’s work will evolve to reflect our learnings and suggestions from universities. The 2026 Interdisciplinary Science Ranking data collection cycle commences on Monday 13 January 2025. By embracing interdisciplinarity, universities are not only solving today’s most pressing challenges but paving the way for a brighter, more innovative future.

“To answer the world’s toughest questions – whether it’s scaling fusion energy or advancing quantum computing – we need to think differently," says Eric Schmidt, former ceo and co-founder of Google and co-founder of Schmidt Sciences. "The Interdisciplinary Science Ranking recognizes universities that are advancing the practice of science for the next century and beyond through new institutions, emerging technologies, and effective teaching.” My article on Times Higher Education's new Interdisciplinary Science Rankings, a partnership with Schmidt Science Fellows, for the World Economic Forum: https://lnkd.in/eWdtCX7K #THEUniRankings #THEISR #THEISF

Can AI revolutionize how we grow food? Benjamin Decardi-Nelson, a Schmidt Sciences AI in Science Fellow at Cornell University, is using AI to optimize indoor crop growth while reducing energy use. His research aims to make agriculture more sustainable and enhance global food security. The Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship aims to accelerate the next scientific revolution by applying AI to research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eGart9-C

How do coral reefs reveal their secrets? Beverly French, a Schmidt Sciences AI in Science Fellow, is using?AI to uncover patterns in reef ecosystems. By automating the time-consuming process of annotating coral images, her research frees scientists to focus on deeper ecological questions, accelerating progress in reef conservation. Learn more about the AI in Science Post Docs at UC San Diego: https://lnkd.in/eJGtXGEH Learn more about the AI in Science Program: https://lnkd.in/eGart9-C

Achieving a green economy hinges on transitioning from using petroleum to sustainable biomass, write Genevieve Croft, PhD (Schmidt Sciences) and John Reich (Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research) in Real Clear Science. Strategic investments in biotechnology and cross-sector partnerships can turn renewable biomass into valuable resources, creating jobs and reducing environmental impact. With the U.S. bioeconomy already valued at nearly $1 trillion, leveraging underutilized resources like agricultural residues and municipal waste could further support a circular economy that benefits industry, communities, and the environment alike. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/d4t297E3

No spell required:?Schmidt Science Fellows?Anthony Waddle is conjuring warmth to beat back a deadly toad curse. Specially designed shelters could help endangered frogs survive the devastating impacts of a deadly disease by regulating their body temperature to fight off infections. Researchers at Macquarie University, led by Dr. Waddle have developed a “mini-med spa” for amphibians, using heat as a simple and effective way to help endangered frogs survive a devastating pandemic impacting multiple species. The research, published in the journal Nature, offers a potential lifeline for fast-declining populations like the green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea), which has disappeared from more than 90 per cent of its former native range in Australia. “In these simple little hotspots, frogs can go and heat up their bodies to a temperature that destroys the infections,” said Dr. Waddle. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eqm-CVKk #happyhalloween

Our Virtual Institute on Feedstocks of the Future (VIFF) recently brought together project teams and partners working to advance the transition toward a sustainable, circular bioeconomy. Participants explored ways to unlock the carbon potential of nontraditional biomass sources, focusing on solutions that reduce waste, enhance local economies, and improve supply chain resilience. Interdisciplinary discussions revealed opportunities for collaboration across biology, engineering, agriculture, and economics, laying the groundwork for turning the carbon we have into the carbon we want and driving the adoption of future feedstocks in bioproduction. Learn more about VIFF: https://lnkd.in/e9a3jzyC