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Welcome to Research Development: Bridging Barriers

Our Grand Challenges are Moonshots

Bridging Barriers is a Research Development Initiative that serves as an incubator for high-impact interdisciplinary projects at The University of Texas at Austin. We achieve this by supporting researchers from across the Forty Acres as they form broad teams tasked with identifying urgent issues — and figuring out the best way to solve them in less than a decade. UT researchers are partnering with communities, nonprofits, local government agencies, and industry leaders to design solutions that have real-world impact.

 

Annual Reports

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Project Highlights

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Good Systems

Seeks to build AI systems that will link city datasets to improve the design, development, and management of smart cities, using the City of Austin as a model.

Upcoming Events

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Contact us

mailbridgingbarriers@austin.utexas.edu

phone512-471-2877

Latest News

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A woman running
Julio 23, 2025
Whole Communities–Whole Health
Daily Exercise May Be Key to Better Sleep, New Study Finds
Brad Knox, a research associate professor in the Department of Computer Science, discusses AI alignment at Good Systems' annual research kickoff event, on September 26, 2025, at The University of Texas at Austin.
Noviembre 24, 2025
Good Systems
Cross-Cutting Edge

Bridging Barriers Support Team


  • Jennifer Lyon Gardner

    Jennifer Lyon Gardner

    Deputy Vice President for Research
    Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship, and Creative Endeavors
  • Clinton Leysath

    Whole Communities–Whole Health Program Director
    Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors
  • Lea Sabatini

    Lea Sabatini

    Good Systems Program Director
    Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors
  • schmallbach

    Heidi Schmalbach

    Planet Texas 2050 Program Director
    Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors
  • Shirene Garcia

    Senior Outreach Program Coordinator
    School of Social Work
  • Stacey Ingram Kaleh

    Stacey Ingram Kaleh

    Associate Director of Partnerships and Programs
    Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors