Boston, MA, February 11, 2026
News Summary
Boston University has introduced its ‘North Star’ vision, articulated by President Melissa Gilliam, to establish itself as a global leader in discovery and education. This initiative emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, convergent research, and innovative solutions to tackle significant global challenges. With a focus on areas such as health, artificial intelligence, and community engagement, the university aims to foster a holistic learning environment that enhances societal impact and strengthens partnerships.
Boston, MA — Boston University (BU) recently outlined an ambitious strategic direction, dubbed the “North Star” vision, presented by President Melissa Gilliam in her first annual Presidential Address on January 28, 2026. This vision aims to establish Boston University as a global leader in discovery, education, and human connection, fostering an environment where diverse disciplines and communities converge to address significant global challenges.
President Gilliam’s address, delivered to a packed audience at the Tsai Performance Center, underscored the university’s commitment to academic rigor, innovation, and societal impact. The initiative seeks to build upon BU’s historical strengths in interdisciplinary research and collaboration, positioning the institution to contribute meaningfully to Massachusetts’s educational and economic landscape.
President Gilliam’s “North Star” Vision: A Global Destination
President Melissa Gilliam, who took office as BU’s eleventh president in July 2024, has articulated a clear “North Star” for the university’s future. The vision positions Boston University as a global destination of discovery, education, and human connection, an epicenter where various disciplines, communities, and realities merge. This integrated approach is intended to unite visionary thinkers in creating transformative experiences and developing solutions for the world’s most complex challenges.
Central to this vision is the concept of convergence, described as the key to the university’s identity and future potential. Convergent research is defined as bringing together experts from distinct fields to dismantle barriers, combine specialized knowledge, and collaborate on complex problems. This emphasis on integrated scholarship spans the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, aiming to cultivate a holistic environment for inquiry and learning.
Advancing Convergent Research and Innovation
To realize the “North Star” vision, Boston University has prioritized convergent research. A faculty task force has been established to identify crucial areas where the university can excel in this interdisciplinary approach. Eight key priority areas have been outlined, encompassing significant global concerns such as health, environment, youth wellbeing, education, artificial intelligence, and economic opportunity.
This commitment to convergent research is designed to accelerate the translation of research into practical solutions. The university plans to provide funding to seed these collaborative efforts and has formed a multidisciplinary faculty advisory council to address and remove obstacles to collaborative research, teaching, and learning across its campuses.
Pioneering AI for Emergency Response
A tangible example of BU’s convergent research in action is the innovative work being conducted in artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance emergency care. Dr. Tehnaz Boyle, an associate professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine at the BU Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, and Dr. Deepti Ghadiyaram, an assistant professor of computer science at the BU College of Arts & Sciences, are leading research focused on using AI to improve outcomes, particularly for pediatric patients, outside of hospital settings.
This research involves collecting data through over 500 simulated pediatric emergency observations at EMS agencies across Massachusetts and eight other states. The immediate goal is to evaluate the effectiveness of video calls between paramedics and physicians in the field. The long-term objective is to develop AI models that can provide real-time guidance to emergency responders, analyzing audio and video data to assist with critical interventions like medication dosages or CPR techniques. This groundbreaking work has the potential to significantly improve response times and diagnostic accuracy, ultimately saving lives.
Strengthening Partnerships for Broader Impact
President Gilliam’s vision also emphasizes the importance of robust external partnerships. The university is dedicated to deepening collaborations with a wide array of entities, including federal government agencies, industry leaders, corporations, foundations, alumni, and community partners both in Boston and globally.
A significant partnership highlighted is the strengthened relationship with Boston Medical Center (BMC), Boston University’s primary teaching hospital. This collaboration, involving BMC CEO Alistair Bell, aims to streamline the education of the medical workforce, enhance standards of care, and expand efforts to serve Boston’s underserved communities. An initiative known as BEACON, which utilizes AI to study and report on emerging biological threats to humans, animals, plants, and the environment, exemplifies this collaborative spirit.
Cultivating Values and Community Engagement
Beyond academic and research pursuits, President Gilliam has also initiated the Living Our Values Project. This project seeks to identify and practice core principles that foster inclusivity, integrity, and positive impact within the BU community. Through more than 80 discussions involving students, faculty, staff, and alumni, the project aims to establish guiding values that sustain the community, particularly during times of societal polarization.
Furthermore, President Gilliam has announced the formation of a President’s Advisory Council on the Arts, led by Dean Harvey Young. This council is tasked with developing an ambitious vision to integrate the arts more prominently across the university’s campuses, recognizing their capacity to connect people and illuminate shared humanity. This holistic approach underscores BU’s commitment to developing well-rounded leaders who contribute positively to society.
Conclusion: Charting a Course for the Future
President Melissa Gilliam’s “North Star” vision for Boston University represents a strategic commitment to elevating the institution as a global hub for discovery, education, and human connection. By championing convergent research, leveraging artificial intelligence for societal benefit, and strengthening vital partnerships, BU is poised to make significant advancements in addressing critical world challenges. This forward-looking approach, rooted in academic freedom, discipline, and personal responsibility, not only promises to enhance student opportunities and academic outcomes but also reinforces Boston University’s role as a cornerstone of Massachusetts higher education and a vital contributor to the local and global community. Readers are encouraged to explore the many programs and research initiatives at Boston University and stay informed about the impactful contributions emerging from Boston’s dynamic college community.
| Pillar | Description | Key Initiatives / Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Global Destination | To be an epicenter for discovery, education, and human connection. | Fostering an environment where disciplines, communities, and realities merge. |
| Convergent Research | Bringing experts from distinct disciplines together to solve complex challenges. | Eight priority areas, including health, environment, AI, and economic opportunity. Funding for collaborations; multidisciplinary faculty advisory council. |
| Artificial Intelligence | Leveraging AI to enhance societal well-being and problem-solving. | Research on AI to assist emergency responders, particularly for pediatric care; BEACON initiative for biological threats. |
| Strategic Partnerships | Deepening collaboration with external entities for expanded impact. | Partnerships with federal government, industry, foundations, alumni, and Boston Medical Center. |
| Community & Values | Cultivating an inclusive community guided by shared principles and the arts. | Living Our Values Project; President’s Advisory Council on the Arts. |
Frequently Asked Questions about Boston University’s “North Star” Vision
What is President Melissa Gilliam’s “North Star” vision for Boston University?
President Melissa Gilliam’s “North Star” vision aims to make Boston University a global destination of discovery, education, and human connection, where disciplines, communities, and realities merge to create transformative experiences and solutions for the world’s greatest challenges.
When did President Gilliam deliver her first annual Presidential Address outlining this vision?
President Melissa Gilliam delivered her first annual Presidential Address on January 28, 2026.
What is “convergent research” within Boston University’s vision?
“Convergent research” brings experts from distinct disciplines together to break down barriers, combine expertise, and collaborate to solve complex challenges.
What is Boston University doing with AI in emergency response?
Boston University researchers, including Dr. Tehnaz Boyle and Dr. Deepti Ghadiyaram, are conducting research to use artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance emergency care outside hospitals, particularly for pediatric patients, including developing AI models for real-time guidance to responders.
How is Boston University partnering with Boston Medical Center?
Boston University is strengthening its partnership with Boston Medical Center (BMC) to streamline the education of the medical workforce, enhance standards of care, and serve Boston’s underserved communities, including initiatives like BEACON which uses AI for biological threats.
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