Centers, Institutes & Labs

Academic study and creative learning happen inside and outside of the classroom at The New School. Across the campus, students and faculty come together in interactive, collaborative spaces to rethink, redesign, and reimagine the world.

In these labs, centers, facilities, and institutes, scholarly rigor and intellectual freedom collide, generating groundbreaking work that challenges the way we traditionally approach problems and their solutions.

Arts and Social Engagement, Change, Civic Engagement, Culture, Design, Exhibition Design, Fine Arts, Human Rights, Interdisciplinary Arts, New York City, Politics, Social Justice, Social Movement, Social Research, Global Issues, Art, Art, Design, and Theory, Politics, Policy, and Society

Vera List Center for Art and Politics

The Vera List Center for Art and Politics is a research center and public forum for art, culture, and politics. Through compelling public programs, publications, exhibitions, curricula, and performances, the center develops and supports new roles for the arts and artists in advancing social justice.

Art and Design, Art, Design, and Theory, Civic Engagement, Data Visualization, Design, Design Research, Design Strategies, Design Thinking, Ecology, Ecosystems/Environmental Systems, Education, Education System, Environment, Environment and Sustainability, Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Global Issues, Health, Human Rights, Information Design, Infrastructure, Interaction Design, Interdisciplinary Arts, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, International Affairs and Global Perspectives, New York City, Policy, Politics, Policy, and Society, Poverty, Public Policy, Research Methods, Social Research, Sustainability, Sustainable Design, Sustainable Design Systems, Technology, Technology and Innovation, Transdisciplinary Design, Urban, Urban and Community Development, Urban Design, Urban Ecologies, Urban Environment, Urban Planning, Urban Policy, Visual Arts

Urban Systems Lab

The Urban Systems Lab (USL) is an interdisciplinary research, design, and practice space that provides information and analysis for developing more equitable, resilient, and sustainable cities.

Civic Engagement, Design Research, Education, Environment, Environmental Design, Environmental Studies, Human Rights, Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, New York City, Social Justice, Sustainability, Sustainable Design, Urban Environment, Social Research, Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Design Strategies, Design Thinking, Ecosystems/Environmental Systems, Art, Design, and Theory, Environment and Sustainability, International Affairs and Global Perspectives, Philosophy and Intellectual Culture, Politics, Policy, and Society, Urban and Community Development

Tishman Environment and Design Center

The Tishman Environment and Design Center integrates bold design, policy, and social justice approaches to tackle the climate crisis and advance environmental justice.

Design, Design Research, Education, Research Methods, Social Justice, Social Movement, Sustainability, Sustainable Design, Transdisciplinary Design, Social Research, Global Issues, Design and Design Studies, Design Strategies, Design Thinking, Sustainable Design Systems, Art, Design, and Theory, Environment and Sustainability

Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability Lab

The Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability (DESIS) Lab is an action research laboratory that applies interdisciplinary expertise to sustainable practices and social innovation.

Fashion, Social Justice, Fashion Design

Size Inclusion in Fashion Lab

The Size Inclusion in Fashion (SIF) Lab is dedicated to promoting size inclusion, particularly for plus sizes, in fashion, bridging the gap between education, consumers, and industry.

Culture, Curatorial Practice, Design, Design Research, Education, Exhibition Design, Interactive Design, Interdisciplinary Arts, New York City, Pedagogy, Research Methods, Technology and Innovation, Transdisciplinary Design, Media and Technology, Social Research, Art, Design Strategies, Design Thinking, Strategic Design, Art, Design, and Theory

Sheila C. Johnson Design Center

The Sheila C. Johnson Design Center hosts exhibitions and events to promote active dialogue on the role of innovative art and design in responding to our contemporary world.

Business for Design, Design, Design Research, Entrepreneurship, New York City, Organizational Development, Transdisciplinary Design, Social Research, Design Strategies, Strategic Design, ThinkingEducation, Art, Design, and Theory

Parsons Entrepreneurial Lab

Parsons Entrepreneurial Lab (ELab) is a design-driven business lab dedicated to entrepreneurial research and practice, providing support and know-how to help students and recent alumni turn entrepreneurial ideas into thriving ventures.

Anthropology, Architecture, Civic Engagement, Culture, Design, Design Research, Environment, Health, Human Rights, Infrastructure, Interdisciplinary Arts, Interior Design, New York City, Product Design, Social Justice, Sustainability, Sustainable Design, Textiles, Transdisciplinary Design, Urban, Urban Environment, Wellness, Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Design Strategies, Design Thinking, Systems, Textile Design and Materials Research, Sustainable Design Systems

Multispecies Lab

By centering multispecies entanglements, the Multispecies Lab collective addresses the ongoing effects of the climate crisis on world-making to embrace multispecies flourishing and advance more-than-human design and scholarship.

Change, Civic Engagement, Cultural, Culture, Design Research, Government, Human Rights, Infrastructure, New York City, Organizational Development, Politics, Poverty, Public Policy, Research Methods, Social Development, Social Justice, Social Movement, Urban, Urban Design, Urban Environment, Urban Planning, Urban Policy, Social Research, Design and Design Studies, Policy, Design Strategies, Design Thinking, Urban Ecologies, Strategic Design Systems, Politics, Policy, and Society, Urban and Community Development

Housing Justice Lab

The Housing Justice Lab is a platform for dialogue, research, and strategic design that advocates for equitable neighborhood development, housing justice, and community-driven development across cities.

Architecture, Civic Engagement, Culture, Design, Design Research, Environment, Health, Human Rights, Infrastructure, Innovation, Interdisciplinary Arts, Interior Design, New York City, Poverty, Product Design, Social Justice, Sustainability, Sustainable Design, Textiles, Transdisciplinary Design, Urban, Urban Environment, Wellness, Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Design Strategies, Design Thinking, Furniture + Home Goods, Home Goods, Textile Design and Materials Research, Sustainable Design Systems, Art, Design, and Theory, Environment and Sustainability, Urban and Community Development

Healthy Materials Lab

The Healthy Materials Lab (HML) is a design research lab dedicated to transforming the way building products are manufactured, eliminating potential toxics, and supporting the creation of new healthier materials.

Social Research, Art, Design, and Theory, Environment and Sustainability, Urban and Community Development

Gromek Institute for Fashion Business

The Gromek Institute is an interdisciplinary hub that supports fashion business education, research, and professional engagement. It connects academia with industry across design, business, technology, and social impact, preparing future fashion and creative business leaders for the global fashion sector.

Arts and Social Engagement, Change, Civic Engagement, Cultural, Cultural Studies, Culture, Design, Design Research, Economic Development, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Global, Global Studies, Human Rights, Humanities, Interdisciplinary Arts, International Affairs, International Trade, Labor Markets and Labor, Latin American, New York City, Organizational Development, Poverty, Research Methods, Social Development, Social Movement, Sustainable Design, Textiles, Women, Workforce, Social Research, Global Issues, Art, Business, Management, and Marketing, Design and Design Studies, Global and International Studies, Design Strategies, Design Thinking, Integrated Design, Strategic Design

Development Through Empowerment, Entrepreneurship & Design Lab

DEED (Development through Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, and Design) is a research laboratory focusing on the future of indigenous artisans and their children, including poverty alleviation, artisan empowerment, and cultural preservation.

Consortium for Transdisciplinarity

The Consortium for Transdisciplinarity (CT/d) provides an institutional space for transdisciplinary research, teaching and learning, and community action.

Change, Civic Engagement, Cultural, Culture, Developmental, Economic Development, Economics, Education, Government, Health, Human Rights, Infrastructure, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling, New York City, Nonprofit Management, Organizational Development, Politics, Poverty, Public Policy, Service Design, Social Development, Social Justice, Social Movement, Sustainability, Sustainable Design, Urban, Urban Design, Urban Environment, Urban Planning, Urban Policy, Wellness, Workforce, Social Research, Art, Policy, Systems, Health + Wellness Services, Education System, Environment and Sustainability, Politics, Policy, and Society