Kristen Kurland

Kristen Kurland is a Teaching Professor of Architecture, Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College and School of Architecture. She also holds a courtesy faculty appointment in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department of the College of Engineering at CMU and an adjunct faculty appointment at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

In addition to her academic appointments, Kristen served as President of Carnegie Mellon University’s Andrew Carnegie Society and was a University Trustee from 2014-16. She is a chair of the Geographical Geospatial Science Committee of The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and serves on the NAS Board on Earth Sciences and Resources.

Her research focuses on interdisciplinary collaborations in health, the built environment, geospatial analysis, and 3D data visualization. She works closely with colleagues and students on projects addressing equity, health, urban design, economic development, sustainability, big data and smart cities.

Kristen is also the co-author of a series of best-selling GIS workbooks that are used by universities, colleges and self-learners. She is a keynote speaker at conferences nationally and internationally.