Caryn Brause

Caryn Brause, FAIA is a Professor of Architecture at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She holds a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.Arch from the University of Virginia. Her work bridges academic research and professional practice, focusing on socially engaged design addressing food insecurity, equity, and post-pandemic campus environments. She leads the UMass ADVANCE Leadership Team and serves on the Built and Natural Environment Pillar Group of the UMass Wellbeing Collective.

Her research explores spatial contexts' impact on social networks and wellbeing, with recent projects analyzing pandemic-related campus modifications. She has authored influential publications like The Designer's Field Guide to Collaboration, which won the 2017 BTES Book Award. She co-founded the journal Technology | Architecture + Design and received over a dozen awards including the 2021 AIA Fellowship and 2022 Women in Design Award.

• Education: M.Arch (University of Virginia, 1996), B.A. (University of Pennsylvania, 1993)
• Professional Activities: AIA Higher Education Advisory Team, NCARB Education Committees, Western Mass AIA Board
• Grants: ARCH Research Consortium (2022-2023), NCARB Voices from the Field (2014)

Her teaching includes courses like Voices from the Field, recognized with national awards. She operates SITELAB Architecture + Design, translating research into practice through projects like El Corazón in Holyoke. Current initiatives focus on health-promoting campus design and inclusive placekeeping strategies.