Higher Education
Promoting excellence in education for the future of architecture
Education of present and future architects is critical to AIA's vision to drive positive change through the power of design. Academic research is equally important and is a keystone linking academia and practice. In addition to our highly competitive, peer-reviewed research sessions - Intersections Symposium - AIA Conference on Architecture, we produce a biannual survey of architecture faculty and staff to discover issues of interest to all. Fall 2019 marks our second survey release. Learn more >
AIA Higher Education serves as a liaison between academia and practice. As a part of the Workforce team, we work to harness the power of education and engagement to advance our mission to improve the nation’s quality of life through design.
Architecture at the University of the District of Columbia
We collaborate with college faculty, students, administrators, practitioners, and collateral organizations to support research and prepare future architects for the workforce. We also pool our resources with architectural collateral organizations ACSA, NAAB, NCARB, AIAS and others to provide scholarships, educational programming, research opportunities and more.
We encourage architecture faculty and staff to become AIA members to expand your network, increase your knowledge, and make strides in the profession. Learn more >
Our hallmark academic engagement initiatives include:
Intersections Symposium: In partnership with ACSA, peer-reviewed research papers are presented at the annual AIA Conference on Architecture. From this highly competitive call, research projects bridging academia, practice and industry, highlight the important discoveries occurring in our universities and practice. Around 500 attended the 2018 Intersections Symposium in NYC. Learn more >
School visits: Staying engaged and supporting higher education is critical to growing the design profession. Higher education staff visit NAAB accredited architecture schools around the country to learn more about the education of future architects and explore ways to assist schools through resources, scholarships and research opportunities. Request a visit - contact nissadahlinbrown@aia.orgStudent engagement: We are committed to developing the future workforce. We offer scholarships and awards, such as the Henry Adams Medal and Certificate for the top BArch, MArch, or DArch graduate. We engage directly with students on campus and through AIAS events. Additionally, we work to offer a number of programs and opportunities for students and recent graduates, such as free 18 month membership and events at AIA Conference.
Partners in education and research: We co-host and sponsor educational events with architectural collateral organizations, including ACSA, AIAS, SBSE, BTES, ARCC, NOMA, NAAB, and NCARB. We encourage schools to get involved with similar organizations. Plus, we jointly sponsor research publications and awareness campaigns with TAD, JAE, and BRIK, including a biannual survey of architecture faculty and staff. Learn more >
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