Kirsten Rowell

Through initiatives like the RIO Faculty Fellows and the Public Scholarship Initiative, CU Boulder builds leadership capacity, strengthens collaborative networks, and enhances communication skills to cultivate strong, inclusive research cultures. Dr. Kirsten Rowell, Senior Director of Research Leadership Development, launched and leads this work, supporting faculty, researchers and early-career scholars across the university. Her efforts empower scholars not just to succeed in their fields, but to lead with clarity, purpose and resilience—maximizing the impact of CU Boulder's research on the planet and the communities it serves.