Babette Allina

Back at RISD as a NSF-funded research development and engagement specialist, Babette Allina supports efforts of the Academic Engagement Office in fulfilling RISD’s promises to the State of Rhode Island-wide NSF GRANTED award. Her work entails direct support for faculty research through individual and group outreach, grant administration, leading workshops, and co-developing a Rhode Island faculty research database and summer research admin institute with other members of RIRAC (RI Research Admin Collaborative). Allina also plays a key role in developing and managing opportunities for faculty across the full spectrum of internal and external research and partnership funding.

Allina has had a lengthy and successful career in research administration and government relations, starting at URI from 1999–2008, where she was the first project director for RI EPSCoR beginning in 2003, and continuing at RISD from 2009–21. Before returning to RISD in 2026, Allina headed strategic initiatives for Mystic Aquarium and the President's Office at Roger Williams University.