Upcoming webinar: From Research to Action
How USC’s Public Exchange Is Bridging the Gap for Real-World Solutions
Date 2024
Thursday, March 27, 2025 @ 11am-noon PT (2-3pm ET)
All are welcome - please feel free to share this event notice.
Some of the greatest research breakthroughs of the 20th century emerged from powerful collaborations between academia, government, industry, and non-profits. However, this cross-sector synergy has faded in recent years. The result? Fewer Highly Integrative Basic And Responsive (HIBAR) projects and a disconnect that slows innovation and limits the full potential of academic expertise.
One organization working to change this dynamic is Public Exchange. This pioneering program at the University of Southern California (USC) bridges the gap between research and public and private sector stakeholders. Acting as both a matchmaker and project manager, Public Exchange connects experts across disciplines with external partners tackling complex societal issues—providing the support they need to solve some of our biggest challenges.
In this engaging webinar, three Public Exchange team members will share:
- How Public Exchange empowers academic researchers to collaborate with external partners.
- Examples of current Public Exchange-led HIBAR projects that are making a difference.
- Practical steps universities can take to foster more HIBAR research.
Join us to explore how this innovative model is reinvigorating research partnerships—and what institutions can do to fuel more breakthroughs that truly matter.
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Webinar Speakers
Kate Weber
Executive Director
USC Public Exchange
Kate Weber is the Executive Director of Public Exchange. She brings more than ten years of federal experience to USC from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where she developed environmental protection, health, civil society and infrastructure development projects across five countries
John Fanning
Senior Project Manager
USC Public Exchange
John Fanning is a Senior Project Manager at Public Exchange. He brings more than ten years of social impact experience directing project teams and programs, cultivating collaborations, and building partnerships internationally across non- profit, academic, media, and education sectors.
Marianna Babboni
Senior Project Manager
USC Public Exchange
Marianna Babboni is a Senior Project Manager at Public Exchange. In her current role, she leads social impact partnerships between academics and the public and private sector in areas of study including climate communications, food security, and sustainable urban forestry.
