Stuart Borrett

Dr. Stuart R. Borrett is the Associate Provost for Research and Innovation and a Professor of Biology and Marine Biology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). As UNCW's chief research and innovation officer and President of the UNCW Research Foundation, he provides strategic leadership for the university's research and innovation enterprises, working to strengthen institutional capacity, advance faculty and student success, and expand the impact of discovery and innovation.

Since 2018, he has helped lead UNCW's evolution as a doctoral university with high research activity through investments in research development, research administration, interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship. During his tenure, the university has expanded sponsored research activity and technology transfer outcomes, launched new research development and faculty support initiatives, and earned the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities' Innovation & Economic Prosperity (IEP) designation, recognizing UNCW's commitment to economic engagement and regional impact. Through the UNCW Research Foundation, he oversees the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which anchors the regional innovation ecosystem.

His leadership experience spans institutional, state, and national levels of the research enterprise. From 2024-2025, he served as a Program Director at the National Science Foundation, supporting the GRANTED initiative that strengthened research capacity and competitiveness across U.S. colleges and universities.

Borrett approaches leadership as a systems ecologist. His scholarship examines how complex systems develop, adapt, and sustain themselves over time, and he applies those same principles to organizations and institutions. He emphasizes collaboration, shared governance, strategic investment, and the development of people and partnerships to create impact.

Education

Ph.D. in Ecology, University of Georgia
B.A. in Biology, Austin College

Specialization in Teaching

Dr. Borrett views teaching and mentoring as central components of academic life. He has taught undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students in ecology, ecological modeling, systems ecology, network science, and environmental science, while also mentoring students, faculty, and staff across a wide range of disciplines and career stages.

His educational philosophy emphasizes curiosity, collaboration, and the development of independent thinkers. By combining classroom instruction with hands-on research, field experiences, and applied learning opportunities, he seeks to help learners ask meaningful questions, evaluate evidence, and understand the connections that shape complex biological, environmental, and social systems.

Throughout his career, students have been active participants in his research program, contributing to publications, presentations, and interdisciplinary projects. He has a particular interest in helping students develop observational and systems-thinking skills through creative approaches to learning, including the EcoPhoto project, an applied-learning initiative that has been adopted at multiple universities. Dr. Borrett is committed to creating opportunities that help students build confidence, develop professional skills, and discover their own paths as scholars, professionals, and citizens.

Research Interests

Dr. Borrett studies how relationships among people, processes, and organizations shape the behavior of complex systems. His research integrates systems ecology, ecological modeling, network analysis, computational science, and research synthesis to investigate the structure and dynamics of ecological, organizational, and knowledge systems.

His work is particularly known for advancing ecological network analysis as a framework for understanding ecosystem organization and resilience. Major contributions include demonstrating the pervasive influence of indirect effects in ecosystems, developing tools and methods that have broadened the use of ecological network analysis worldwide, revealing the resilience of estuarine nitrogen cycling to environmental change, and mapping patterns of collaboration and knowledge development within scientific communities.

Across these areas, his research seeks to uncover general principles of complexity that can improve environmental management, sustainability, scientific practice, and institutional effectiveness.

Professional Service

Dr. Borrett actively contributes to the advancement of research, scholarship, and higher education at regional, national, and international levels. He has been an engaged participant in the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) Council on Research since 2020, contributing to discussions and initiatives focused on research competitiveness, institutional development, and the future of public research universities. His service has included participation in the Council's Artificial Intelligence Working Group and review of applications for the APLU Innovation & Economic Prosperity (IEP) program.

From 2024-2025, Dr. Borrett served as a Program Director at the National Science Foundation, supporting the Growing Research Access for Nationally Transformative Economic Development (GRANTED) initiative. Through this role, he worked with colleges and universities across the country to strengthen the systems, services, and infrastructure that support successful research programs.

He currently serves as Treasurer of the International Society for Ecological Modelling and on the editorial board of the International Journal of Ecological Modelling and Systems Ecology. Throughout his career, he has contributed as a reviewer, panelist, workshop organizer, and mentor, supporting faculty development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and scientific communities. His professional service reflects a longstanding interest in how scientific communities organize themselves, generate knowledge, and build the capacity needed to address complex challenges.

Community Engagement

Dr. Borrett believes universities have a responsibility to create value beyond campus through research, innovation, education, and partnership. Throughout his career, he has worked to strengthen connections among universities, communities, industry, government, and nonprofit organizations in ways that support both discovery and public benefit.

Through the UNCW Research Foundation and Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, he has helped advance entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, workforce development, and regional economic development. His work has included partnerships with organizations such as the North Carolina Biotechnology Center to expand opportunities for innovators, entrepreneurs, students, and emerging industries across southeastern North Carolina. He is particularly interested in helping universities, communities, and organizations learn from one another while working together to address shared challenges.

Dr. Borrett also supports organizations that promote science, education, and public engagement. He serves on the Alumni Board of the Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia and on the Associates Board of the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science. He frequently speaks with community groups about research, higher education, science, innovation, and the role universities play in creating stronger communities.

Honors & Awards

Dr. Borrett's work as a teacher, mentor, scholar, and academic leader has been recognized by students, colleagues, and the university. In 2009, he received UNCW's Chancellor's Discere Aude Award for outstanding mentorship. From 2009-2021 and 2026, he was recognized by one or more graduating seniors each year for having a significant impact on their academic experience and personal development.

His research accomplishments earned competitive research reassignments from both the Department of Biology and Marine Biology and the College of Arts and Sciences, allowing dedicated time to pursue scholarly work and develop new research directions. He has also participated in selective leadership development programs, including UNCW's Leadership Enhancement and Administrative Development (LEAD) program and Project Kaleidoscope's Summer Leadership Institute for STEM faculty.