CAUSE: Open tools for better schools
The Coalition for the Advanced Understanding of School Environments(CAUSE) convenes global and national architecture firms, academic partners, local school districts, and the Center for Advanced Design Research and Evaluation (CADRE) to support the continuous improvement of educational facilities.
There is growing academic and industry evidence that the physical environment in schools has direct impacts on children and teacher outcomes. Yet, much of our building evaluation work is completed in silos with varying degrees of methodological rigor and a narrow focus.
With the growing adoption of research in the architectural industry, we are at an inflection point that accelerates the integration of data in decision-making. The federal government is actively investing billions of dollars into modernizing our aging educational facilities without specific guidance on how these investments can also promote health and performance of our students.
Stakeholders in education and design would benefit from consistent, reliable data collection and analysis tailored to K-12 facilities and occupants. A shared approach and framework would allow for broader reach of scholarly research and meaningful data sharing across design teams and school systems. A collaborative, multidisciplinary, geographically diverse partnership will advance the K-12 design industry by creating a holistic, evidence-based, user-centered and industry-supported tool.
A CO-LED ENDEAVOR:
CAUSE draws strength from its leaders across multiple design fields and disciplines, who co-lead and guide its continued advancement.
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Erika is the co-director of the Human Experience Lab at Perkins&Will. Erika received her ScD from the Harvard Chan School of Public Health in Environmental Health where she authored ‘Schools for Health: Foundations for Student Success’ report that examined the association between school building quality and occupant health and performance. Erika advises on national policy for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a member of the Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee and holds a Master of Public Health in Climate and Health from Columbia University.
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Raechel is the Director of Planning for Austin ISD. She holds a double degree in Environmental Design and Psychology from Texas A&M University and a Masters of Science in Human-Environment Relations from Cornell University. Following a Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship, she completed her PhD through the University of Melbourne’s Graduate School of Education, focused on better supporting teachers and principals in their transition to more innovative learning environments. In her current role, Raechel interfaces with all design teams and campus leaders, ensuring spaces function from a practical and academic perspective.
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Renae leads research efforts for the Education practice at HKS. Her passion for design research and scholarship is centered around people through inclusive practices. Identifying as a “pracademic” her mission is to build a bridge between industry and academia towards a more evidence-based and equity-centered future. She works to expand the breadth of knowledge that explores human behavior, motivation, and well-being in educational settings to inform design solutions. Outside of HKS, Renae is an Assistant Professor of the Practice in the College of Design at North Carolina State University teaching doctoral students and budding researchers.
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Michael is a Vice President and the Director of Research with Multistudio. He earned a PhD in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Kansas, and he uses his background as both a K-12 and higher education instructor to connect research to issues of practice and experience in classrooms, with a focus on equitable application of quantitative methods as a tool for improved teaching and dismantling barriers to success for historically marginalized groups.
Advisory Committees
The advisory committees play a critical role in shaping our work, offering interdisciplinary insight that informs decision-making and deepens our understanding of school environments. Their expertise and active participation make them essential members of the CAUSE team.
School Design
This committee consists of professionals with design industry training and experience, who will advise on the potential applications of the research and participate in dissemination and interpretation.
Design Research
This committee consists of professionals specifically with research training and experience, who will guide and provide strategic feedback on our research methodology.
Education Policy
This committee consists of education professionals that will advise on the policy, planning, and development of school facilities. We are seeking collaborators with diverse backgrounds including academic, federal, state, and school leadership.
MICROSITE
To support collaboration and knowledge-sharing, we created a dynamic microsite to serve as a central hub for the CAUSE team’s research findings, tools, and resources. The site is designed to evolve alongside the project. Check here regularly for updates!
Visit the Microsite
Next Steps
Now is the time to align our interests, elevate the industry, and ultimately, improve the lives of teachers and students.
To follow our progress, watch this site for updates and subscribe to the CADRE newsletter.