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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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Bio-acoustic monitoring is just one of many tools RISE researchers are using.
Diciembre 19, 2024
Planet Texas 2050
RISE and Shine
Research Study Coordinator Sarah Smith, at last year’s Del Valle Day; June 2024. Credit: Johnny Holden
Marzo 18, 2025
Whole Communities–Whole Health
Trust or Bust
"Behind the Lens"
Diciembre 12, 2024
Good Systems
Behind the Lens

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

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