About Parsons School of Design, The New School

Alison Mears AIA, LEED AP, is an Associate Professor of Architecture and the Director and Co-Founder of the Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design, where she addresses critical environmental challenges related to the health of the built environment. With a focus on creating healthier buildings, especially in affordable housing, Mears leads initiatives that develop resources and educational programs aimed at removing harmful chemicals from construction materials. As co-Principal Investigator of the Healthy Affordable Materials Project (HAMP), she collaborates with multiple organizations to promote material health and sustainability. Mears has received numerous grants to support her work and is recognized for her commitment to community-based sustainability and environmental justice through her teaching and research. In 2022, she was awarded the Women in Architecture Innovation Award from Architectural Record, highlighting her significant contributions to the field.

Catherine Murphy is a Senior Researcher at the Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design, where she combines her expertise as an artist, designer, and educator to promote healthier and sustainable interior environments. With over 12 years of experience in designing and project managing sustainable interiors, her current focus is on developing innovative processes that facilitate change and enhance the regenerative capacity of the built environment. As an educator, Catherine teaches classes on materials and develops methodologies aimed at eliminating toxic substances while reducing environmental impacts. Her practice emphasizes the renovation, reuse, and repair of existing structures, employing core design and construction techniques to create healthier, affordable, and sustainable spaces. Since 2017, she has led educational programming at the Healthy Materials Lab and holds a Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Parsons, along with an honors degree in Fine Craft Design from the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland. Originally from Sligo, Ireland, Catherine is committed to advancing knowledge in material health and sustainability within architectural practices.

Paulo dos Santos is an Associate Professor of Economics at The New School for Social Research, specializing as a mathematical political economist. His research focuses on understanding the social content of market outcomes and institutional structures within contemporary capitalist economies. He aims to develop robust methodologies that facilitate conceptual and observational work in economic analysis, addressing themes such as inequality, financial systems, and the economic impacts of racial, ethnic, and gender subordination. Dr. dos Santos holds a PhD in Economics from the University of London, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and dual Bachelor's degrees in Economics and Mathematics from the University of Maryland, College Park. His work contributes significantly to a critical political economy perspective on contemporary capitalism, utilizing new data and analytical methods to explore the relationships between social groups in market economies.

Teresa Ghilarducci is a distinguished labor economist and the Bernard L. and Irene Schwartz Professor of Economics at The New School for Social Research, where she also directs the Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis (SCEPA). Recognized nationally for her expertise in retirement security, Ghilarducci advocates for policies that extend occupational retirement plan coverage to all workers. Her influential publications include Rescuing Retirement and When I’m Sixty-Four: The Plot Against Pensions and the Plan to Save Them, which propose comprehensive reforms to enhance retirement savings and address the declining availability of pensions. With a PhD in economics from the University of California, Berkeley, she has held various significant roles, including serving on the executive board of the Economic Policy Institute and as a trustee for retiree health care trusts. Ghilarducci's work emphasizes the importance of equitable retirement solutions and has garnered attention from policymakers and scholars alike.

Terry Behan is a design expert at Parsons School of Design, where he utilizes digital, data, and design to address social challenges aligned with the United Nations Development Goals. He is a prominent analyst featured on various podcasts and television programs, discussing design, innovation, and the social impact of technology. As a fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and a board member of the SA Design Foundation, Terry invests in social impact initiatives focused on gender-based violence and digital education. Additionally, he teaches design and innovation modules at GIBS Business School to MBA students and corporate executives. With a BA in Brand Leadership and an MSc in Strategic Design from Parsons, he leverages his global experience across numerous markets to disrupt traditional business models and create innovative solutions for pressing societal issues.

William Milberg is the Dean and Professor of Economics at The New School for Social Research, as well as the Director of the Heilbroner Center for Capitalism Studies. His research primarily explores the relationships between globalization, income distribution, and economic growth, alongside the history and philosophy of economics. Milberg teaches graduate courses in international trade and economic methodology, and undergraduate courses such as "Understanding Global Capitalism." He has authored several influential works, including Outsourcing Economics: Global Value Chains in Capitalist Development and has received recognition for his contributions to the field, including consulting roles with various UN organizations. Milberg's academic leadership and research initiatives aim to provide critical insights into contemporary economic issues, particularly concerning the impact of global capitalism on society.