The Academic Authority Program
Turn your research into recognized influence.
A complete system for reaching practitioners, the press, and the opportunities that follow — six modules, taught by Dr. Gregory Unruh.
Your best ideas deserve to be seen.
Many academics want to become thought leaders, but their ideas go unnoticed — and it isn’t their fault. The pathway was never common knowledge, and gatekeepers kept it closed. That has changed. The barriers have collapsed, and the opportunities are open to those who take action.
What you’ll walk away with
Learn from thought-leading peers
The strategies behind academic thought leadership — so you can emulate their success.
Create valuable solutions
Craft articles, talks, and programs that captivate practitioners and mark you as a trusted source.
Be elegantly compensated
Monetize your expertise through speaking, consulting, and publishing.
The path most authorities follow
Inside the program: six modules
Module 1
Authority Foundations
- The five steps to authority
- Your development trajectory
- Motivations & compensation
Module 2
Practitioner Communities
- Playing a new game
- The authority mindset
- Authority positioning
Module 3
Identify & Engage Your Audience
- Gaining an audience
- Engaging community
- Value-added curation
Module 4
Creating Value for Your Audience
- The practitioner’s domain
- Chasing the right problems
- Your solution framework
Module 5
Communicating Your Solutions
- Sharing your solutions
- High-impact journals (HBR, MIT SMR)
- The virtuous cycle
Module 6
Capturing Value for Yourself
- Profiting from your platform
- Authorship & publishing
- Keynote speaking & courses
Your Instructor
Dr. Gregory Unruh
Dr. Unruh holds an endowed professorship at George Mason University and has published dozens of articles in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and California Management Review. He serves as Sustainability Guest Editor for MIT Sloan Management Review — and brings that track record and a tested playbook to the program.
Results
What academics are saying
“I just got published in Strategy+Business! You were right — this is the perfect audience for our ideas, and your coaching made it possible.”
Professor of Strategy, Arizona State University
“By doing what you told me, I landed a keynote speech at the GreenBiz conference! An amazing opportunity — thank you!”
Professor of Operations, UC Irvine
“Academic Authority in action! I just got a call from a consulting firm asking me to join them on a retainer basis to advise on Japan.”
Endowed Professor, Johns Hopkins University
Choose your path
Two ways to take the program.
Self-Guided
$1,450 · one-time
Work through the full program at your own pace — all six modules, on-demand, whenever suits you.
Cohort
$2,950 · per cohort
Everything in Self-Guided, plus a live workshop for each module, a peer cohort, and real start dates.
Enroll with confidence — 30-day guarantee
Take 30 days to explore the program. If it isn’t right for you, reach out within 30 days of purchase for a full refund — no questions asked.
Frequently asked questions
Is this program for me?
It’s designed for professors across disciplines — strategy, economics, finance, marketing, operations, entrepreneurship, and beyond. If you have expertise and want it to reach the wider business world, you’ll find opportunities here.
I’m already busy. Will I have time?
The program is built for busy academics. Content is on-demand, so you progress at your own pace — and the strategies are designed to optimize your effort, not add to it.
Is it worth the investment?
Establishing yourself as a thought leader opens doors — speaking engagements, consulting, and collaborations that enhance your reputation and come with financial rewards. Consider it an investment in your future.
What if it’s not right for me?
You’re covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Explore the program, and if it doesn’t meet your expectations within 30 days, we’ll refund you in full — no questions asked.
The Academic Authority · Substack
Not ready to enroll? Start with the essays.
Free weekly essays for business-school faculty — executive engagement, high-impact publishing, and thought leadership that reaches beyond academia.