Since opening the Rice Global Paris Center in 2023, the institution has reached a new milestone by launching articulated degree programs with Université PSL and actively engaging with Europe’s leading innovation ecosystem, including a strong presence at Viva Technology. With a focus on deep tech, artificial intelligence, and neuroscience, Rice is no longer simply teaching in Paris, it is co-developing the technological solutions of tomorrow alongside France’s top research talent.

In this exclusive interview, we spoke with Caroline Levander, Vice President for Global Strategy at Rice University, who shares insights into the university’s international expansion strategy, the strategic role of the Paris Region in advancing cutting-edge research, and how Rice’s growing presence in France is strengthening transatlantic collaboration across science, technology, and the humanities.

To start, could you briefly introduce Rice University and your role within the institution?

Rice University is a leading research institution based in Houston, Texas that is known for its strong science and engineering programs and a deep commitment to teaching and discovery. As vice president for global strategy, I guide our efforts to build meaningful international partnerships and create new opportunities for research, learning and innovation. My work focuses on connecting Rice University’s strengths with global collaborators who share our ambitions. Establishing the Rice Global Paris Center is a central part of this strategy. It reflects our belief that universities advance most when they work across borders and when they work in deep partnership with the most impactful global institutions.

What made the Paris Region the strategic choice for Rice University’s new international center, and how does this location strengthen your global ambitions ?

We chose the Paris Region because it brings together exceptional research institutions, a diverse talent pool, and a quality of life that attracts scholars from around the world. Paris is the only city in the world that is home to ALL its nation’s top-ranking universities. Being in Paris allows us to collaborate with partners who match Rice University’s quality, curiosity and ambition. The city’s academic ecosystem offers opportunities in fields ranging from brain science to humanities, all within a globally connected environment. Our presence here strengthens our ability to recruit talent and support faculty and students in new ways. Paris gives Rice University a platform to engage globally while contributing to the region’s research landscape.

What is the core mission of Rice Paris, and how does being in the Paris Region contribute to advancing Rice University’s broader global objectives?

Rice University Global Paris Center exists to support research, teaching and partnership-building that extends Rice University’s mission internationally. Our goal is to create a home where Rice University faculty and students can collaborate with European colleagues on shared challenges. Paris allows us to do this at a level that simply wasn’t possible before. The center deepens long-term relationships with universities, research institutes, and cultural organizations across the region. Through this work, we are strengthening Rice University’s global presence in ways that will shape the university for decades.

The Paris Region is home to one of the largest research and innovation ecosystems in Europe. How does this environment specifically enable Rice University to accelerate breakthroughs in areas such as science, technology, and humanities?

The Paris region offers one of Europe’s most dynamic research environments, and that energy directly supports our work at Rice University. Being here allows our faculty to engage with laboratories, institutes and networks that complement their own expertise. The city is remarkable for the diversity and quality of its institutions.

Could you share a few examples of collaborations between Rice University and the Paris Region ecosystem, whether through research partnerships, joint PhD programs with local institutions?

Our partnership with Université PSL has become a cornerstone of our presence in France from joint research initiatives to a new articulated degree program that connects early-career scholars across our two institutions. We also launched a major collaboration with the Paris Brain Institute focused on advancing understanding of the brain and supporting translational science. Across these efforts, Rice University’s faculty are working closely with colleagues in Paris to address shared research priorities. These partnerships allow our students and researchers to learn from one of the world’s richest academic environments. They also help us contribute meaningfully to the region’s innovation ecosystem.

How do these collaborations contribute to advancing innovation and building stronger links between European and American academic communities?

These collaborations create spaces where researchers, students, and practitioners can tackle complex problems from different cultural and disciplinary perspectives. Working across the Atlantic encourages new approaches to shared issues, whether in health, ethics, or technology. The joint programs we’ve developed allow scholars to train in both contexts and bring those insights back to their home institutions. This exchange strengthens innovation because it broadens the questions we ask and the methods we use. It also builds lasting relationships that connect European and American academic communities more closely.

In what way does the Paris Region serve as a gateway for Rice University to engage with Europe and beyond?

Paris gives us access to a dense network of European institutions and organizations that are shaping global conversations. From here, it is easy to convene partners, expand existing collaborations, and explore new ones across the continent. The city’s connectivity makes it an ideal base for faculty who are building multi-country research projects or seeking European funding opportunities. Being in Paris helps us amplify Rice University’s work in ways that resonate internationally. It is a strategic bridge between our home in Houston and the broader world we want to engage in.

Beyond academic excellence, how do factors like quality of life, accessibility, and cultural dynamism contribute to its appeal for international scholars and students?

Quality of life matters for scholars, and Paris offers an environment where academic work and cultural life enhance each other. The city’s accessibility allows our faculty and students to move easily between institutions, archives, and research sites. Its museums, neighborhoods, and artistic traditions provide inspiration that shapes teaching and research across disciplines. These qualities make the Paris region a place where people want to spend meaningful time. For Rice University, this helps us attract collaborators and build programs that feel both academically rigorous and personally enriching.

What advice would you give to other universities planning to establish a presence in the Paris Region? What do you think makes it such an attractive place for higher education and research?

The first piece of advice I would offer is to approach the Paris region as a place for long-term partnership rather than short-term visibility. Its strength lies in the depth of its institutions, the openness of its research community, and the willingness to collaborate across disciplines and borders. Universities that invest time in listening and building trust will find extraordinary opportunities here. The region’s combination of academic excellence, cultural vitality, and global connectivity creates an environment where ideas can move quickly and responsibly. For higher education and research, Paris offers not just access, but alignment with institutions that are committed to shaping the future together.