Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science

What Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science does

The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science is a non-profit academic center housed at Stony Brook University (part of the SUNY system) that trains researchers and healthcare professionals in science and health communication. Founded in 2009 through a partnership among actor Alan Alda, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the center's core offering is the Alda Method®, a trademarked, research-backed methodology that combines social science research with improvisational theater techniques. Programs are delivered by a faculty of social scientists and improvisation specialists and are organized into three main lines: in-person professional development (a 2-day Signature Experience, 1-day workshops, and custom programs serving 16–32 participants), virtual programs (Creating Connections, The Essentials, and a Foundational Virtual Series serving 20–200 participants), and specialized/academic programs including the Women in STEM Leadership Program, Climate Communication, Courtroom Communication, the SUNY Research Leadership Academy, an MS in Science Communication, and an Advanced Graduate Certificate. The center claims tens of thousands of researchers have been trained across the U.S., Scotland, Australia, and Germany.

The business model is hybrid and characteristic of a university-affiliated non-profit. Revenue is generated from three streams: (1) professional development program fees for workshops delivered on-site or virtually on a quote-based, per-engagement basis; (2) philanthropic capital from major foundations including Simons, Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative, Gates, David & Lucile Packard, Kavli, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Ann and Andrew Tisch, Henry Luce, and Zuckerman Institute; and (3) government grants, notably $250,000 from the U.S. Department of Education (2010), $500,000 from NOAA (2022), and additional support from HHS and DoD-adjacent programs. Donations are managed through the Stony Brook Foundation. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; engagement sizes range from 16 to 200+ participants depending on format. Named institutional clients include NASA, NOAA, HHS, U.S. Department of Defense Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellows, and Stony Brook Medicine.

The center's strategic posture in 2024–2025 reflects incremental expansion rather than transformation: a 2024 partnership with the RhetAI Center at the University of Tübingen signals exploratory interest in AI and communication, and a 2025 first-of-its-kind open-access textbook extends the center's content footprint. The organization remains dependent on Stony Brook University for institutional infrastructure and on a concentrated set of foundation and government funders for non-fee revenue, with no equity ownership, no venture capital, and no disclosed financials. Leadership is centered on Executive Director Laura Lindenfeld, PhD, who has held the role since 2016.

Name

Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science

Legal name

Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science

Website

https://aldacenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science is a Stony Brook University-based non-profit that trains researchers and healthcare professionals in science communication using the trademarked Alda Method®, which fuses social science research with improvisational theater techniques across in-person workshops, virtual programs, and academic degrees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Development and Communication Training

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Data, Analytics & Business Intelligence (SQL, BI Tools, Reporting) (EDABAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Interactive Practice & Skill-Building (Drills, Games, Mastery Practice) (EDAFACAC), Interactive Presentation & Lesson Delivery Engagement Tools (EDAFAGAJ)

Keywords

• Science communication training
• Professional development workshops
• Research communication programs
• Communication skills training
• Academic certificate programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Stony Brook

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional Development Program Fees: The center generates revenue through fees for professional development programs including in-person signature experiences (2-day), one-day workshops, custom programming, and virtual programs. Organizations book training through inquiry forms.
2. Foundation and Philanthropic Funding: The center receives grants and donations from foundations including Simons Foundation, Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative, Gates Foundation, David & Lucile Packard Foundation, Kavli Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Ann and Andrew Tisch Foundation, and others. Also received $250,000 from US Department of Education in 2010.
3. Planned Gifts and Endowments: The center accepts planned gifts, gifts of stock, and general donations through the Stony Brook Foundation giving page.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science delivers professional development and academic programs that train scientists, researchers, and healthcare professionals to communicate complex topics clearly and authentically. Its offerings are anchored in the Alda Method®, a proprietary, research-backed methodology combining social science research with improvisational theater techniques, delivered through in-person workshops, virtual programs, custom organizational training, and graduate-level academic certificates and degrees in partnership with Stony Brook University.

Product overview

The Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science offers a portfolio of professional development programs in science communication, centered on the Alda Method®, a research-backed communication training approach grounded in social sciences and improvisational theater. The organization provides in-person programming (Signature Science Communication Experience, One-Day Experience, Custom Programming), virtual programming (Creating Connections, The Essentials, Foundational Virtual Series, Custom Virtual Programming), and specialized topic programs including the Women in STEM Leadership Program, Climate Communication, and Courtroom Communication. The center also supports academic programs including a Master of Science in Science Communication and an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Science Communication offered in partnership with Stony Brook University's Department of Communication. All programs are delivered by social scientists and improvisation specialists to help researchers and healthcare professionals build authentic connections and communicate complex topics effectively.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Alda Method® A proprietary, trademarked communication training methodology that combines social science research with improvisational theater techniques to help scientists and healthcare professionals communicate complex topics with clarity and authenticity.
• Signature Science Communication Experience A comprehensive two-day, in-person immersive program serving groups of 16 or 32 participants that delivers deep training in the Alda Method® for researchers and scientific professionals.
• One-Day Science Communication Experience A one-day foundational skill-building in-person workshop for groups of 16 or 32 participants that focuses on practical message strategies with peer and expert feedback.
• Custom In-Person Programming Tailored in-person science communication training with flexible learning objectives, content, time, and number of participants, recommended at 3 hours minimum, designed to meet specific organizational needs.
• Creating Connections A virtual introductory program serving 20-200 participants, offered as a 1-hour webinar or 2-hour interactive session that introduces researchers to core science communication principles.
• The Essentials (Virtual) A signature virtual program serving up to 20 participants over 3 hours that delivers foundational skills and strategies for effective science communication with peer and expert feedback.
• Foundational Virtual Series A three-part virtual series serving up to 20 participants per cohort, consisting of The Essentials, Small Group Coaching, and Science Through Narrative modules for progressive skill development.
• Women in STEM Leadership Program A leadership development program for STEM professionals that helps women and underrepresented groups build leadership identities, strengthen negotiation skills, and foster diversity, with an active professional community on LinkedIn.
• Climate Communication Program Specialized program focused on climate change communication strategies and techniques, grounded in the Alda Method® and supporting climate literacy and engagement.
• Courtroom Communication Program Specialized program launched in 2023 that prepares forensic experts to deliver effective courtroom testimony, applying the Alda Method® in legal settings.
• Master of Science in Science Communication A graduate degree program launched in 2021 in partnership with the Department of Communication at Stony Brook University, providing academic training in science communication.
• Advanced Graduate Certificate in Science Communication A graduate certificate program launched in 2020 in partnership with the Department of Communication at Stony Brook University, offering focused academic training in science communication.
• SUNY Research Leadership Academy A year-long initiative launched in 2025 to cultivate a new generation of research leaders across the SUNY system, supported by the Henry Luce Foundation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tens of thousands of researchers applying the Alda Method®
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• RhetAI Center at University of TübingenmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership established in 2024 to explore AI and communication. Center's Executive Director presented at the RhetAI Center in Germany.
• George Mason University - Department of CommunicationmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Established research partnership to study the Alda Method® and advance science communication research.
• Virginia Sea GrantminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership to hire a postdoctoral associate to advance marine and environmental science communication.
• Brookhaven National LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Founding partner in establishing the Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University in 2009. Brookhaven is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory.
• Cold Spring Harbor LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Founding partner in establishing the Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University in 2009. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is a renowned research institution.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• SciLine (American Association for the Advancement of Science): AAAS-operated program providing scientists with training and resources to engage media and the public. Comparable as it offers science communication support within a broader professional association portfolio, serving the same researcher persona.
• Toastmasters International: Long-established global communication and public-speaking training organization. Comparable as a broad communication skills training provider, though much larger and more general-purpose than the Alda Center's science-specific focus.
• AAAS Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology: AAAS center that trains scientists and supports public engagement initiatives. Comparable as part of a broader professional association offering science communication programs with similar audience of researchers and institutional clients.

Direct peers

• Alda Communication Training Company: The commercial spin-off of the Alan Alda Center, offering Alda Method-based communication training to corporate and institutional clients. Directly comparable as it delivers the same methodology at scale to enterprise buyers, with overlapping target customers and similar experiential learning design.
• COMPASS: Science communication training and consulting organization serving researchers and institutions. Direct peer in offering structured training programs that help scientists engage broader audiences, with similar customer base and program-based delivery.
• The Story Collider: Non-profit producing science storytelling workshops and live events that train scientists to communicate through narrative. Directly comparable as experiential, science-focused communication training for researchers with workshop-based delivery.
• Know Science: Science communication consulting firm offering strategic communication support to research institutions and individual scientists. Comparable as a services-focused peer in the science communication training/consulting space.

Emerging players

• The Conversation: Non-profit media outlet that works with academics to translate research for public audiences. Comparable as an organization that helps scientists communicate their work to non-expert audiences and engages similar institutional and philanthropic stakeholders.
• Climate Central: Non-profit that researches and communicates climate science to the public and policymakers. Comparable in offering specialized science communication programming and competing for similar philanthropic funders in the science communication space.

Others

• Kavli Foundation: Major science philanthropy that funds science communication initiatives, including partnership grants to the Alda Center. Listed as a peer-adjacent organization because it both funds and shapes the science communication training category, though not a direct competitor for training delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AldaCenter
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzsjYdP9iEwErug-dEEDvDw
• Facebookfacebook.com/aldacenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alan-alda-center-for-communicating-science

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science