Northeastern University’s College of Arts, Media and Design (CAMD) today announced that the university has joined the Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities (a2ru), a national consortium of research-intensive institutions dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research, creative practice, and arts-integrative scholarship. a2ru is a partnership of leading universities committed to ensuring institutional support for arts-integrated research, curricula, programs, and creative practice across disciplines.

As an R1 university with a global campus network spanning Boston, Oakland, New York City, Charlotte, London, and Vancouver, Northeastern brings a distinctive approach to research and experiential learning that connects academic inquiry with real-world impact. CAMD is widely recognized for research that bridges the arts and design with fields such as media and technology, health and wellbeing, sustainability, and humanistic artificial intelligence.

“Northeastern University’s strong commitment to real-world impact via research and experiential learning anchored in its co-op tradition educates students to be not only prepared for the world of work that is in the midst of transformation but to change the world itself,” said Maryrose Flanigan, Executive Director of a2ru. “Deep and applied study in the arts and design develops skills to lead and innovate in complex and ambiguous situations where the only constant is change. Having Northeastern contribute its unique model to the national conversation on the importance of the arts in providing a holistic education will be critical for the a2ru network.”

CAMD’s membership in a2ru supports the college’s ongoing efforts to expand national leadership in arts-based research and interdisciplinary collaboration. Through the consortium, faculty and students at Northeastern will gain access to a national platform for exchange, collaboration, and professional development with peers from other research universities. CAMD is also sending doctoral students to a2ru’s Emerging Creatives conference to deepen their engagement with emerging practices in arts research and leadership.

“At Northeastern, we believe that creative inquiry and artistic practice are central to addressing today’s most complex challenges,” said Ben Knapp, Dean of CAMD. “Joining a2ru strengthens our capacity to collaborate across fields and to amplify the impact of arts-integrative research on campus, in our communities, and across the nation.”

As a member of the a2ru network, Northeastern will participate in consortium initiatives, working groups, and events that elevate the role of arts-integrative scholarship in research universities and broaden opportunities for faculty and students to engage in arts-based discovery.

The Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities (a2ru) is a national partnership of research universities dedicated to increasing institutional support for the full spectrum of arts-integrative research, teaching, and creative practice. Through collaboration, research, and shared leadership, a2ru works to expand the role of the arts and design in research universities and in the broader landscape of higher education.