Research at Pratt is driven by the interests of our faculty, staff, students, and partners. It takes on many forms, from published scholarship to symposia to product R&D and applied research programs. We conduct research in the classroom, through our Research & Development Studios, and through projects and programs developed by our Faculty Research Fellows, Research Accelerators, and Provost’s Centers.
Featured Research
- The National Science Foundation (NSF) has approved a second year of funding for the Aquasteady grant in the amount of $1,999,963.00.
- Pratt Center was awarded a sub-grant of approximately $310,000 over two years, through the EPA Track 2 Community Change grant (they are partnering with WEACT as the lead applicant and several other partners). The sub-grant will fund community engagement and participatory policymaking with a coalition of Environment Justice groups across the city.
- Prof. Mark Rosin (Math/Science) was awarded a $2 million grant from NSF for “Co-Design for Climate Justice: Youth Expression through Science-rich Public Art.”
The Research Yard
The Research Yard, located at Brooklyn Navy Yard, is Pratt Institute’s dedicated space for applied creative research, bringing together students, professors, and industry practitioners to discover new approaches to address today’s complex challenges. With a focus on communities, industries, and the environment, the Research Yard enables practitioners and students alike to explore academic models, including digital and applied research that would allow for productive outcomes in areas relating to data visualizations, prototyping or materials production.
Learn more about the Research Yard
Research Open House
At Pratt, we define research broadly and inclusively. Our annual open house is a public showcase of the breadth and depth of the boundary-pushing work that our faculty, staff, and students are doing.
Learn more about Research Open House
Provost’s Centers & Research Accelerators
Center for Art, Design, and Community Engagement K-12
Pratt’s Center for Art, Design, and Community Engagement K-12 expands access to art and design education by creating meaningful exchanges between Pratt students and faculty, local schools, and community-based organizations.
Learn more about Center for Art, Design, and Community Engagement K-12
Pratt Sustainability Center
The Pratt Sustainability Center (PSC) advances climate literacy and sustainable practice throughout Pratt’s curriculum and operations and is also working on a national level to strengthen the curriculum, pedagogy and operations of other schools around sustainable practice. PSC manages a network of faculty, “sustainability coordinators” throughout Pratt’s five schools to share best practice, support the incorporation of the principles and methodologies for sustainable design and prepare Pratt’s annual report evaluating Pratt’s sustainability. As a result, Pratt has been ranked as the only independent college of art and design in the United States to earn a Gold sustainability rating from the Association for Sustainability in Higher Education.
Learn more about the Pratt Sustainability Center
Center for Climate Adaptation
The Center for Climate Adaptation focuses on adaptation strategies in archipelagos, clusters of islands which are some of the world’s fastest growing areas in terms of populations but that are some of the areas that are most vulnerable to climate change.
Learn more about the Center for Climate Adaptation
Pratt Center for Community Development
Pratt Center for Community Development works for a more just, equitable and sustainable New York City in partnership with community-based groups, small businesses, and policymakers.
Learn more about the Pratt Center for Community Development
Research Accelerators
Decarbonization Working Group
The Decarbonization Working Group explores the challenges and opportunities of decarbonizing New York’s built environment, which is critical to addressing climate change and equitable economic growth.
Learn more about the Decarbonization Group
Creative Exchange
Creative Exchange is designing and building healthier furniture and spaces for work, education, healthcare and the home by combining design and sound interventions.
More information on Creative Exchange coming soon.
Design Clinic
Design Clinic seeks to provide design strategies and solutions to help small businesses, community groups and other clients with sustainable design solutions.
More information on Design Clinic coming soon.
Laboratory for Integrative Archaeological Visualization and Heritage (LIVAH)
LIAVH’s mission is to make archaeological data accessible, sustainable, and generative, utilizing non-invasive forms of data collection in order to develop data visualization tools that enable spatial and temporal research without actual proximity to an archaeological site.
STEAMplant
STEAMplant fosters interdisciplinary collaboration between the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and the fields of art, design and architecture.
Future of Jewelry
The Future of Jewelry experiments with the combination of jewelry-making and publishing as a way to engage with local communities, industries, materials, and technologies.
More information on Future of Jewelry coming soon.
Mindfulness Collaboratory
The Mindfulness Collaboratory teaches people in the creative fields to “lead with intention.” “Intention” is the practice of consciousness that allows a person to align with a course of action, an aim, or a purpose.
Learn more about the Mindfulness Collaboratory
Housing Futures
The Housing Futures Research Lab is devoted to the development of forward-thinking housing solutions in urban contexts.
More information on Housing Futures coming soon.
Aquasteady
The AquaSteady team is developing seaweed-based hydrogels that balance soil moisture, allow crops to withstand droughts between irregular rainfalls, and reduce the need for irrigation.
Learn more about the Aquasteady project
Learn more about Research Accelerators and Provost’s Centers