duke science & society

What duke science & society does

Duke Science & Society is an interdisciplinary research and education initiative within Duke University that connects scientists and engineers with social scientists and humanities scholars to address complex societal challenges. Launched in 2016 as part of Duke's broader commitment to cross-school collaboration, the initiative operates within a research university infrastructure spanning 12 academic units, multiple institutes and centers, and affiliated campuses in Durham (North Carolina), Kunshan (China), and Singapore.

The initiative leverages Duke's research and educational platform, including the Bass Connections cross-disciplinary experiential learning program, the Office for Translation & Commercialization, the Duke Innovation Co-Lab, and 80+ graduate degree programs across 53 undergraduate majors, 52 minors, and 23 certificates. Its underlying technology and intellectual outputs include patented technologies (modern cochlear implant, metamaterial satellite antennas, FDA-approved glioma drug, VQ Biomedical oxygenator catheter), $1 billion in annual sponsored research expenditures at the School of Medicine alone, and translational research in areas such as photoacoustic imaging and wearable digital biomarkers.

Duke Science & Society does not operate a commercial product or generate independent revenue; it functions as a programmatic layer within a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research university funded through tuition, endowment income (The Duke Endowment, established 1924), sponsored research grants, healthcare services revenue through Duke Health, and philanthropy. Its customer base spans prospective undergraduate and graduate students, patients and healthcare consumers, the Durham and North Carolina community, and international students at Duke Kunshan University and Duke-NUS Medical School, with 100% of demonstrated undergraduate financial need met and 70% of undergraduates graduating debt-free.

Name

duke science & society

Legal name

Duke University

Website

https://duke.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Duke Science & Society is a Duke University interdisciplinary initiative connecting scientists, engineers, social scientists, and humanities scholars to address societal challenges through education, research, and public engagement programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Research

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Social Sciences & Public Policy Research Universities (EDAHABAD), Biomedical Sciences & Medical Research Institutes (University-Based) (EDAHAGAI), Business & Management Research Universities (EDAHABAE), Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI)

Keywords

• Interdisciplinary research programs
• Science society education
• Academic research initiatives
• Humanities science integration
• Public engagement programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Educational Services: Revenue from undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across 10 schools including full tuition grants for eligible students
2. Sponsored Research Funding: Federal and foundation research grants supporting faculty research across all disciplines, including $1 billion in annual sponsored research expenditures from School of Medicine alone
3. Healthcare Services: Patient care services through Duke University Hospital and Duke Health system providing clinical revenue
4. The Duke Endowment: Private foundation established in 1924 funding initiatives in child and family well-being, healthcare, and higher education across North and South Carolina

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Duke Science & Society (also known as the Science & Society Initiative) is a university research and scholarly initiative at Duke University that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists, engineers, social scientists, and humanities scholars to address complex societal challenges. Launched in 2016, the initiative operates through research, education, and public engagement programs connecting scholars across 12 schools at Duke University. It is not a commercial product or software company but an academic program supporting cross-disciplinary inquiry.

Product overview

Duke Science & Society Initiative (scienceandsociety.duke.edu) is a university research and scholarly initiative at Duke University that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration around science and society issues. It is not a commercial product or software company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bass Connections: Duke's signature interdisciplinary, team-based research program connecting students, faculty, and external partners across disciplines
• Duke Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• Duke Capital Partners
• Duke Climate Commitment
• Duke Research Saves Lives

Products and services

• Science & Society Initiative
• Bass Connections
• Undergraduate Education Programs
• Graduate and Professional Degree Programs
• Duke Kunshan University Programs
• Duke-NUS Medical School
• Duke Corporate Education
• Duke Health Clinical Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% four-year graduation rate
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and minor.

• National University of Singapore (NUS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership establishing Duke-NUS Medical School as Singapore's only graduate-entry medical school. Combines Duke's medical education expertise with NUS's local infrastructure and resources.
• Duke Kunshan University PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture establishing Duke Kunshan University in Kunshan, China offering world-class liberal arts education with innovative academic programs for students from around the world.
• North Carolina Research CampusregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-university research campus in Kannapolis focused on human health and nutrition research with community engagement.
• Durham Community OrganizationsregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject BUILD student volunteers partnering with Durham community; Duke Law Community Enterprise Clinic partnering with West End Community Foundation.
• West End Community FoundationregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Duke Law's Community Enterprise Clinic to transform abandoned Durham school into Lyon Park Center community hub.
• External Companies and OrganizationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffice for External Partnerships connects external companies with Duke researchers to accelerate research and innovation through collaborative projects.
• Full Frame Documentary Film FestivalregionalGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual documentary film festival partnership bringing cultural programming to Duke and Durham community.
• American Dance FestivalregionalGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership bringing dance performances and education programs to Duke campus and Durham community.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DukeSci_Soc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@dukeuniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/dukescienceandsociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/duke-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/dukeuniversity
• TikToktiktok.com/@dukeu?lang=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about duke science & society