Art, Architecture, and Design

Explore the various projects below categorized under the general theme of Art, Architecture, and Design. Be sure to return to the Barrett College Fellows Program main page and explore projects under the other 11 themes as well. You might be surprised at what you find and maybe you will discover the perfect research project for what you hope to study!

Please do not contact the research centers or faculty listed below directly (a formal application process is a required step to joining these research opportunities).

For questions about the Barrett College Fellows Program or specific research projects, please contact Dr. Sarah Graff at: [email protected].

Back to Barrett College Fellows main page

Research projects

Barrett SAEE (Space Architecture & Extreme Environments) ARC 493 Honors Thesis

Project # 145

Center name: MSD, Space Architecture & Extreme Environments (SAEE)
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Elena Rocchi

Project description

Barrett Honors students will participate in SAEE Barrett Research programs, including: 1) Working in the labs of the Interplanetary Initiative, The Next Lab, and the Luminosity Lab, contributing to cutting-edge science, with one student per lab. 2) Engaging in supply chain management within the Business program to contribute to designing the first Starbucks in space, with one student. 3) Participating in the SAEE Barrett Global Flex program in Rome, one of the space capitals of the world, providing an ideal environment for this program and open to all. The faculty lead is Elena Rocchi, working in collaboration with the different lab directors, program heads, and faculty abroad. By the time of application, new opportunities in labs and cities may arise, so students are encouraged to schedule a meeting with me, as the leading faculty member, to discuss available placements and opportunities in more detail.

Special skills needed

Self-Time Management; Design Capacity and Interest in Making Things; Collaboration and Teamwork; Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving; Adaptability and Flexibility; Attention to Detail; Interpersonal and Cross-Cultural Communication; Initiative and Drive; Technical Competency; Global PerspectiveArchitecture
Industrial Design
Graphic Design (for virtual simulations/technologies)
Computer Science (for virtual simulations/technologies)
Design, Arts
Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Urban Planning
Business Administration (Supply Chain Management)
Environmental Design
Aerospace Engineering
Biomedical Engineering (for health-related research in space)
Materials Science
Sustainability Studies
International Studies (for global perspectives)
Electrical Engineering (for wearable technology design)
Physics (for space science and research applications)

Majors

Architecture
Industrial Design
Graphic Design (for virtual simulations/technologies)
Computer Science (for virtual simulations/technologies)
Design, Arts
Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Urban Planning
Business Administration (Supply Chain Management)
Environmental Design
Aerospace Engineering
Biomedical Engineering (for health-related research in space)
Materials Science
Sustainability Studies
International Studies (for global perspectives)
Electrical Engineering (for wearable technology design)
Physics (for space science and research applications)

Years

First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025); 2nd Year Students; 3rd Year Students; 4th Year Students- Seniors; ASU Online; Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Business and Entrepreneurship, Education, Engineering, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability

Safe Routes to School/Safe Streets

Project # 155

Center name: Active Schools & Communities Lab
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Allison Poulos

Project description

Join Dr. Allison Poulos in the College of Health Solutions and an interdisciplinary research team to support our local communities to make the streets safer for walking, riding, and rolling. We work with City partners to evaluate changes in safety and human behavior after changes to the built environment. Our team meets weekly on the Downtown Campus on Thursdays from 11-1 and includes a large group of students ranging from first-year undergrads to post-doctoral fellows from various programs throughout ASU. You would assist with data collection including conducting surveys and environmental assessments of street and neighborhood conditions, tallying pedestrian and vehicular traffic counts, data management, and dissemination of results. This research provides a great opportunity for hands-on, community-based research with community partners in government and non-profit spaces.

Special skills needed

Interest in health, sustainability, safety, design; Interest in community-based work; Availability on Thursdays between 11-1

Majors

Health Education, Health Promotion, Public Health, Population Health, Kinesiology, Health Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Design, Sustainability, Psychology, Education

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Business and Entrepreneurship, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Education, Engineering, Health and Wellness, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability

HeatReady Schools

Project # 157

Center name: Active Schools & Communities Lab
Campus/Location: Downtown
Faculty lead: Allison Poulos

Project description

Interested in supporting elementary schools to make informed decisions about supporting children's health and movement when it's hot? Join Dr. Allison Poulos and our interdisciplinary study team to learn about the strategies used and challenges schools face; and collect data to identify how adding shade and greenspace to schoolyards can decrease children's thermal exposure and improve health. Students would get hands-on experience collecting and analyzing data. Availability to meet in person on Wednesdays from 11-1 on the Downtown Campus required.

Special skills needed

Interest in health, sustainability, education, design; Availability on Wednesdays from 11-1

Majors

Health, Education, Sustainability, Design, Engineering, Data Analytics, Policy

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Data Analytics and Mathematics, Education, Engineering, Health and Wellness, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability

Cross-linguistic approaches to mapping cognitive representations of musical timbre

Project # 158

Center name: CACTUS Music Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe; Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Lindsay Reymore

Project description

The qualities and characteristics of sounds—what sounds sound like—are fundamental to musical experience. These attributes constitute timbre, sometimes also referred to as “tone color.” The aim of the current project is to better understand cognitive representations of musical timbre through a study of timbre description run in parallel across multiple languages and locations using a single, unified protocol. Identification of cross-linguistic and cross-cultural consistencies and inconsistencies will provide insight into which dimensions of timbral meaning may be physiologically based, and which may be more strongly influenced by learning.

Special skills needed

a broad list of relevant (but not required) skills: research, data analysis, coding, familiarity in running/analyzing behavioral studies, fluency in a language other than English or study of one or more languages, interest or experience in music, audio engineering, experience building or using AI/LLMs

Majors

psychology, music, sound design, linguistics, any languages (eg French, Spanish, etc); other majors welcome to apply

Years

-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Social and Behavioral Sciences

Indigenous Law & Policy Research & Writing Project

Project # 194

Center name: American Indian Policy Institute
Campus/Location: Downtown; Fully remote; Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Brooke Curleyhair

Project description

This project is designed for students interested in the intersection of Indigenous law, public policy, and governance, particularly those considering law school or policy-oriented careers. Under the mentorship of faculty and staff at the American Indian Policy Institute (AIPI), students will engage in a structured research and writing experience focused on a legal or policy issue impacting Indigenous peoples in the United States or internationally.

Students will develop a focused research question, examine the historical and legal foundations of the issue, and analyze contemporary federal, state, tribal, or international policy developments. As part of this work, students will contribute to AIPI’s ongoing policy analysis efforts by assisting with legislative and Federal Register tracking, maintaining and updating a shared policy spreadsheet, and drafting summaries of relevant policy developments in collaboration with AIPI researchers. These activities will support, rather than replace, their individual research project.

Students will produce a final written product, such as a policy brief, research article, or blog post, with opportunities for publication through AIPI’s policy blog and/or the Law Journal for Social Justice’s online platform. Year-long projects may support submission to a law or policy journal.

Special skills needed

This project is intended to facilitate learning opportunities in advanced research and academic writing techniques. While a specific set of qualifications is not required, we recommend students with some experience engaging in academic research and writing apply for this opportunity.

Majors

ANY major! Policies touching all facets of everyday life, from education to health to engineering, impact Indigenous peoples. The more research we do on these diverse issues, the more prepared and empowered Indigenous communities will be to develop quality of life-enhancing solutions!

Years

-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

A Performer's Guide to Learning

Project # 199

Center name: ASU Percussion Studio
Campus/Location: Tempe; Fully remote; Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Michael Compitello

Project description

A Performer’s Guide to Learning examines how musicians and other performers achieve peak performance by cultivating powerful interdisciplinary learning practices drawn from a wide array of musical and non-musical domains, including history, cultural studies, cognitive neuroscience, psychology, and motor learning. The project investigates the intricate relationship between learning, intuition, preparation, and reflection in expert artistic performance.

The Barrett College Fellow will contribute to a book-length research project that clarifies how learning processes—before, during, and beyond the practice room—shape high-level musical performance, helping to articulate a performer-centered framework that bridges research, artistic practice, and professional development.

This opportunity is open to students interested in the intersection of the art and science of learning. The Fellow will conduct a guided literature review in selected areas of the learning sciences, humanities, and creative arts aligned with the student’s interests, which may include:

Motor learning, skill acquisition, and memory

• Cognitive neuroscience
• Peak performance
• Reflection and metacognition
• Performer-centered pedagogy
• Historical models of learning among artists

In addition to gaining foundational experience in interdisciplinary research, synthesis, and scholarly communication, the Fellow will work with the faculty mentor to translate this research for public-facing and educational contexts.

Special skills needed

Interest in cognitive neurology, neuroscience, and/or motor learning
Interest in musical performance (no musical skills are necessary)
Ability to read, synthesize, and summarize academic research
Curiosity
Growth Mindset
Organizational ability
Initiative and proactivity

Majors

Educational Science
Interdisciplinary Studies
Behavioral Science
Psychology
Data Science
Music
History
Integrated Studies
International Letters and Cultures
Interdisciplinary Arts and Performance
Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
Social and Behavioral Science

Years

-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Education, Humanities

A Performer's Guide to Learning

Project # 200

Center name: ASU School of Music, Dance and Theatre
Campus/Location: Tempe; Fully remote; Flexible to remote and/or in-person
Faculty lead: Michael Compitello

Project description

A Performer’s Guide to Learning examines how musicians and other performers achieve peak performance by cultivating powerful interdisciplinary learning practices drawn from a wide array of musical and non-musical domains, including history, cultural studies, cognitive neuroscience, psychology, and motor learning. The project investigates the intricate relationship between learning, intuition, preparation, and reflection in expert artistic performance.

The Barrett College Fellow will contribute to a book-length research project that clarifies how learning processes—before, during, and beyond the practice room—shape high-level musical performance, helping to articulate a performer-centered framework that bridges research, artistic practice, and professional development.
This opportunity is open to students interested in the intersection of the art and science of learning. The Fellow will conduct a guided literature review in selected areas of the learning sciences, humanities, and creative arts aligned with the student’s interests, which may include:

Motor learning, skill acquisition, and memory
Cognitive neuroscience
Peak performance
Reflection and metacognition
Performer-centered pedagogy
Historical models of learning among artists

In addition to gaining foundational experience in interdisciplinary research, synthesis, and scholarly communication, the Fellow will work with the faculty mentor to translate this research for public-facing and educational contexts.

Special skills needed

Majors

Educational Science
Interdisciplinary Studies
Behavioral Science
Psycology
Data Science
Music
History
Integrated Studies
International Letters and Cultures
Interdisciplinary Arts and Performance
Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
Social and Behavioral Science

Years

-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Education, Humanities

Student Leaders of Recess Project

Project # 219

Center name: Physical Activity and Healthy and Active School Research Team
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Pamela Kulinna

Project description

This project grounded in whole-of-school health models is taking place in five local schools. Different models of the intervention are taking place in different schools with one school implementing a youth participatory action research project. The goal of this project is to document the outcomes, successes and challenges of students being trained and leading physical activities and games at recess in elementary schools to support use of this model and expanded recess opportunities for students. This project can offer Barrett students may different research opportunities which could include training student leaders, using systematic observation instruments, conducting interviews, data entry and management, data analyses and writing/grant writing with the research team.

Special skills needed

Students will have opportunities to develop research skills during the project.

Majors

Health, Wellness, Physical Activity and Physical Education

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Education, Health and Wellness

Assisting Monograph Writing: Principles of Creative Producing

Project # 232

Center name: Media and Immersive eXperience (MIX) Center
Campus/Location: Tempe; Fully remote/Remote considered
Faculty lead: Alex Ma

Project description

The instructor has a contract with Taylor and Francis to write a monograph on Creative Producing, which is also intended to be used as a textbook. Participating students may research additional materials, create figures and illustrations, and review and provide feedback to support the instructor’s writing. While it may be less academically challenging, it presents a valuable opportunity for someone interested in the intersection of filmmaking practice, film studies, and the entertainment industry.

Special skills needed

Knowledge or strong interest in:
Filmmaking practice, film producing, film studies, and the entertainment industry

Majors

Filmmaking, film studies, communication, business and other related disciplines

Years

-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media

Artificial Intelligence Empowered Large-scale Human Crowd Simulation Generation

Project # 234

Center name: Media and Immersive eXperience (MIX) Center
Campus/Location: Tempe; Fully remote/Remote considered
Faculty lead: Alex Ma

Project description

In this animation/filmmaking hybrid project incorporating generative AI, students will collaborate with faculty members from different schools within the Herberger Institute to experiment with various AI-integrated workflows and document and evaluate the reliability of outcomes. Given the rapidly evolving nature of generative AI, the project's aims and scope may adapt over time. This project is particularly suitable for students with an interest in generative AI and filmmaking who also possess an exploratory mindset.

Special skills needed

Knowledge in one or more of the following areas:
Animation, filmmaking, and media production
Generative AI tools (e.g., text-to-video)
Creative coding

Majors

Animation, Film, Media Arts and Sciences, Computer Science, and other related disciplines

Years

-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Engineering, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media

Science and Imagination Lab

Project # 240

Center name: Center for Science and the Imagination
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Ruth Wylie

Project description

The CSI Lab is a new undergraduate research and experiential learning program at the Center for Science and the Imagination (CSI). The program offers selected undergraduates the opportunity to work closely with CSI faculty and staff on applied projects that translate speculative thinking, futures methods, and science fiction into real-world public engagement and community impact. Students in the CSI Lab will contribute meaningfully to ongoing CSI initiatives while developing skills in research, creative production, collaboration, and futures-oriented problem solving.

The CSI Lab is designed as a mentored research experience, emphasizing hands-on work, iterative experimentation, and public-facing outputs. Projects will culminate in tangible deliverables such as curricula, media products, reports, toolkits, or public presentations.

Each CSI Lab cohort will pursue projects in one of two primary categories:
1. Public Engagement for Imagination and Futures Thinking
Students will adapt prior CSI work—such as science fiction stories from CSI anthologies, research reports, or speculative design projects—into new formats for education and public engagement. Working with CSI staff, students may:
* Develop classroom-ready curriculum modules or lesson plans
* Produce short-form social media videos or digital storytelling content
* Create informal learning materials for museums, libraries, or community organizations
* Translate speculative narratives into workshops, games, or interactive experiences
These projects emphasize accessibility, storytelling, and the translation of complex ideas into engaging formats for broad audiences.

2. Futures Clinics with Community Partners
Students will participate in a “futures clinic” model, providing consulting-style futures services to external partners such as nonprofits, government teams, or civic organizations. Under CSI staff supervision, students may:
* Conduct horizon scanning and trend research
* Facilitate futures workshops or scenario exercises
* Co-create speculative artifacts that help partners explore long-term possibilities
* Produce written or visual reports that synthesize insights and recommendations
Futures clinic projects prioritize ethical engagement, mutual learning, and practical value for partner organizations.

Special skills needed

Required: Collaboration, communication, creativity, reliability, and a sense of adventure

Interest in community-based work, futures foresight

Majors

All majors are encouraged to apply

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Business and Entrepreneurship, Education, Engineering, Health and Wellness, Humanities, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Law, Justice, and Public Service, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability

Addressing social-ecological-technological systems (SETS) challenges

Project # 246

Center name: Grimm's Urban and Stream Ecosystems (USE) Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe; Fully remote/Remote considered
Faculty lead: Nancy Grimm

Project description

In the USE lab, we work at the intersection of social, ecological, and technological (SET) challenges. Our research group is interested in exploring human-nature connections, especially in urban and human-dominated systems. We have several ongoing research projects that explore a variety of prescient topics, including collaborative governance of nature with a particular focus on rivers and coastal zones, challenges and opportunities for implementing nature-based solutions addressing issues such as climate change and public health, and human values of and relationships with nature. We use mixed-methods and diverse approaches from life and social sciences to address our research questions, including qualitative analysis of interviews and text, participatory research, spatial mapping and modeling, and literature review. If you are interested in gaining hands-on research experience on topics related to water, conservation, public health, or environmental justice, we would love to hear from you. Undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to contact us and explore opportunities to work with the lab.

Special skills needed

No skills are specifically required.
Skills that students will potentially acquire in this position:
- Qualitative coding & analysis
- Interviewing skills
- Assisting in workshop facilitation
- Literature review
- Organizing meetings
- Spatial analysis / GIS
- Modeling
- Coding - Python and/or R

Majors

Anthropology,
Biological Sciences,
Biological Sciences (Conservation Biology and Ecology),
Environmental Sciences,
Environmental Social Science,
Geography,
Landscape Architecture and Design,
Sustainability,
Urban Planning

Years

-First Year Students (new to ASU Fall 2025)
-2nd Year Students
-3rd Year Students
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Sustainability

Opportunities in Conservation - Science Communication & Digital Content Coordinator

Project # 271

Center name: Desert Botanical Garden - The Hernandez Lab
Campus/Location: Tempe
Faculty lead: Tania Hernandez

Project description

The Hernandez Lab at the Desert Botanical Garden is a collaborative team of researchers, students, interns, and volunteers dedicated to the study and conservation of desert plant biodiversity, with a particular focus on cacti and agaves, two of the plant groups under the highest threat of extinction. We integrate cutting-edge DNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses with innovative conservation tools, an international network of collaborators, and a strong local community of committed volunteers to generate knowledge that guides the protection and long-term persistence of species. We believe plant conservation is both a scientific imperative and a shared responsibility, and our work centers on understanding genetic diversity, adaptation, and resilience in desert plants; especially in the face of climate change. Through mentorship, research, and hands-on programs such as the Saguaro Initiatives, we connect science, community, and action to safeguard desert ecosystems for future generations.

To learn more about our work, visit https://www.hernandezlab-dbg.com/

Project Location: Desert Botanical Garden and remote work

Special skills needed

** Science Communication & Digital Content Coordinator Honors Student, Intern, or Collaborator **
Effective conservation depends not only on strong science, but on our ability to communicate that science clearly, creatively, and responsibly to diverse audiences. The Hernández Lab places a high value on transparent, engaging, and accessible science communication that connects research, community, and action.

The Science Communication & Digital Content Coordinator will be responsible for helping shape and maintain the public-facing voice of the Hernández Lab. This role focuses on website content, newsletters, blog posts, and digital storytelling related to Sonoran Desert plant conservation, lab research, student projects, the Saguaro Initiatives, and CryoBank activities. The coordinator will work closely with the Hernández Lab team and Desert Botanical Garden’s Marketing and Communications staff to ensure all content is accurate, engaging, and aligned with DBG standards and messaging.

This is an excellent opportunity for a student or early-career professional interested in science communication, conservation storytelling, and digital outreach within a research and museum setting.

Requisites
• Strong interest in science communication, conservation, or environmental storytelling
• Excellent written communication skills (English required; Spanish a plus)
• Interest or experience in website content management, newsletters, blogging, or digital media
• Ability to work collaboratively with scientists, students, and communications professionals
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Availability of approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Ability to participate in a bi-weekly advisory meeting and a quarterly full-team meeting
• Access to a personal computer and reliable internet

Benefits
• Hands-on experience in conservation science communication within a major botanical institution
• Training in translating scientific research into public-facing content
• Experience working with DBG Marketing to develop institutionally approved media content
• Portfolio-building opportunities (website pages, newsletters, blog posts, outreach materials)
• Mentorship from conservation scientists and science communicators
• Networking opportunities across research, conservation, and communications teams
• Resume-building experience in a visible, high-impact conservation program

Majors

Biology, Biological Sciences (Biology & Society), Conservation Biology, Communication, Journalism, Digital Media, Marketing, Sustainability, Innovation in Society, Environmental Studies, or related

Years

-3rd Year Students
-4th Year Students- Seniors
-ASU Online Barrett Honors Students (fully remote work)

Themes

Cross-listed with the following themes:

Art, Architecture, and Design, Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Education, Journalism, Communication, and Mass Media, Sustainability