Executive Director Messages

Dear colleagues and friends,

It gives me great pleasure to greet you on behalf of the Schiller Institute. As Laura Steinberg enjoys her well‑earned sabbatical and transitions back to research and teaching, we extend our deep gratitude for her tremendous leadership over the past six years. Launching an institute is never simple, let alone one with the unique ambitions and interdisciplinary scope that define Schiller, and Laura’s vision and dedication have shaped the strong foundation we now build upon.

I would also like to express our sincere appreciation to Phil Schiller and Kim Gassett‑Schiller for their extraordinary generosity, as well as to the many Boston College friends and partners whose support makes this institute possible. We are likewise grateful to the Seinder family for their commitment to the directorship position. And on a personal note, I want to thank our outstanding Schiller staff, Greg Adelsberger, Kaley McCarty, and Erik Sjostrom, whose hard work and professionalism have ensured a smooth transition during this period of change.

Among the many activities underway this semester, a particular highlight was the third annual COP Symposium on Friday, March 13. We welcomed our largest audience yet. The vibrant energy, packed schedule, and insights from invited experts—as well as from our own COP30 delegates—truly brought the spirit of a “mini‑COP” to campus. I encourage you to watch the event recordings on our COP30 page and to learn more about the COP31 application process later in this newsletter. I also want to recognize the many students who contributed to the event; their passion and commitment continue to inspire our work.

It is hard to believe that two months have passed since I stepped into the interim executive director role in late January. During this time, I have been on a busy listening tour. Many of you have already heard from me, and many more will in the weeks ahead. The message has been consistent: we share a strong desire to build on Laura’s foundation and guide the Institute into its next phase of impact.

One question that arises frequently concerns the Schiller seed grant program. I want to reassure everyone that we are committed to continuing this popular and important initiative. As we plan for the next call for proposals, we have taken time to reflect on past successes and on feedback from the community. Interestingly, and perhaps counterintuitively, one of the most common requests has been for constructive feedback on proposals that were not selected. As an active researcher who regularly writes federal grant applications, I resonate deeply with this need. Thoughtful feedback can be invaluable in refining ideas and strengthening future submissions. In response, we are working closely with the Vice Provost for Research to develop an external review process. Our goal is to provide constructive comments for all proposals, regardless of funding outcome, so that every project can move forward even when resources are limited. 

Looking ahead, we will soon share updates on our strategic priorities and new opportunities for engagement. At its core, the Schiller Institute exists to bring disciplines together to address pressing challenges in energy, health, and the environment. To advance this mission, we are exploring new activities and programs that bring people together to share interests, spark ideas, and build collaborations. We warmly welcome your suggestions.

My door is always open, and I look forward to continuing these conversations.

Yours truly,
Dunwei Wang
Interim Seidner Family Executive Director, Schiller Institute
Vanderslice Professor of Chemistry