Baylor profs speak into key issues on national stage

Over the years, Baylor leaders have often noted that research growth would allow BU to bring its Christian voice to bear on meaningful issues through a “seat at the table” where decisions are made.

That’s now happening — and the ranks of Baylor leaders speaking into key national and international issues only continues to grow. Here are just a few recent examples:

U.S. Senate Testimony — When the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation needed an expert on wireless communication to discuss national approaches to spectrum technology usage, they called on Baylor engineering’s Dr. Charles Baylis. A nationally-recognized wireless expert and director of Baylor’s SMART Hub research center, Baylis shared with senators the ways that developing technologies, of which SMART Hub is at the forefront, can meet U.S. security needs (and the needs of businesses and consumers as well).

Global Flourishing — Gallup Headquarters in Washington, D.C., served as the home for the April launch of the first wave of findings for the Global Flourishing Study (GFS). The GFS, a massive global undertaking to uncover the factors that enable individuals and societies to flourish, is co-led by Baylor’s Dr. Byron Johnson and features numerous Baylor researchers. GFS welcomed leaders from media, government, higher ed and more to the launch event in April, just blocks away from the U.S. Capitol. Since then, top outlets like CNN, The New York Times, National Geographic, Christianity Today and more have covered the first wave of findings, with more to come in the years ahead.

Next-Gen Energy Storage — Battery makers of every kind face a challenge: The interactions that take place within a battery are only visible at nanoscale — the most microscopic of levels, one one-billionth of a meter. Baylor’s Dr. Jonathan Larson is working to change that. The advances he’s making led the Volta Foundation to call on him to speak at its April Battery Forum, the largest online gathering of battery professionals around the globe. There, he shared how a new method called infrared nanospectroscopy can reveal previously unseen interactions without opening the battery itself — a major step forward for battery makers and the consumers who use them.

Higher Ed Leadership — Baylor’s seat at the table isn’t limited to research. For the past two years, President Linda Livingstone has served as chair of the American Council on Education board, leading a membership organization that represents more than 1,700 colleges and universities. She continues to serve as board chair for both the NCAA’s and Big 12 Conference’s boards of governors, helping lead college athletics through a season of fast-moving changes.

College Athletics Leadership — Dr. Livingstone isn’t the only Bear leading in Athletics. In March, Baylor Director of Athletics Mack Rhoades was named chair of the College Football Playoff Committee, helming a group of leaders who will shape this year’s college football postseason.

From the halls of government to industry leadership, Baylor has earned a seat at the table — and its momentum promises more opportunities to bring BU’s distinct voice to bear on important global issues.

Sic ’em, Bears at the table!