Fighting Fires and Building Flywheels

How to develop and sustain research university leadership from the inside out, from a seasoned academic leader at both MIT and Boston University.

America’s research universities are the bedrock of the US innovation ecosystem, supplying the knowledge and the graduates we need to drive our economy and lead our society. Fighting Fires and Building Flywheels tells the inspiring story of former president Robert Brown’s 35-plus years in academic leadership at both MIT and Boston University, where he focused on creating and sustaining private research universities. Rich with true accounts that draw the reader into understanding what a research university is, why America needs great ones, and what it takes to create one, this book addresses critical issues research institutions face today and will continue to face far into the future.


Brown’s leadership at Boston University began at a moment when few could have imagined the institution would ever be ranked among America’s leading research universities. He took over after a long period of tumult under a president who left behind a troubled and under-resourced institution and steered the university successfully through many turbulent times, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

The book addresses key challenges in higher education, such as reconceptualizing the role of traditional disciplines; fostering collaboration between faculty and students as well as learning and research; building a supportive and effective board of trustees; and creating an inclusive environment while maintaining the meritocracy at the core of university excellence.