Ira Bennett

Dr. Ira Bennett is Associate Director for Research for the School for the Future of Innovation in Society, where he holds a Clinical Associate Professor appointment. As co-director of the Center for Engagement and Training in Science and Society (CENTSS), Bennett drives a research agenda aimed at developing large scale public and democratic engagements on science meets policy meets society issues. He has also developed and leads educational initiatives that address content and skill sets not traditionally included in science and engineering graduate education, such as societal aspects and communicating with the public. In his administrative role, Ira and his team created a faculty centered Research Development and Advancement process that pairs in depth faculty development with active transdisciplinary collaboration resulting in a significant increase in the proposal funding rate, proposal value and importantly, faculty confidence and empowerment.