Across the College and IU, faculty and students are engaging in research and creative activity that pave the way for innovation across nearly every sector of society, while generating discoveries that improve lives and empower communities.
The College is advancing its national and global leadership in transformational research areas that shatter the traditional boundaries that have historically divided disciplines, and which involve deep inter-departmental and cross-school collaborations across IU, and beyond.
As populations worldwide grow older, research at the College and IU is driving innovations in how we understand and address aging. Scholars in and across disciplines such as psychology, biology, sociology, and anthropology explore cognitive decline, longevity, and the social impacts of an aging society. Their work informs policy, healthcare advancements, and the development of age-friendly communities, revolutionizing how we care for and engage with aging populations.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries and societies, and our faculty are at the forefront of this revolution. Researchers in computer science, cognitive science, economics, English and world languages, political science, and ethics are developing AI systems that enhance decision-making, optimize industries, and address pressing challenges in healthcare, education, and the environment. Their work not only pushes the boundaries of technology but also ensures ethical considerations guide AI's integration into daily life.
College faculty are shaping the future of business innovation. From analyzing global markets, pioneering new approaches to merchandising and marketing, to advancing economic policy, our faculty tackle complex challenges through their scholarship and creativity. Their work drives forward-thinking strategies that empower communities, industries, and decision-makers worldwide. Our faculty are creating bold solutions and redefining the connection between business, society, and consumers.
The intersection of language and technology holds incredible potential, and faculty’s expertise in computational linguistics is unlocking new ways to process, understand, and generate human language. From improving machine translation to advancing natural language processing in AI systems, faculty research is reshaping how we interact with technology, opening doors to innovations in communication, data analysis, and cross-cultural understanding.
Our faculty are leading the way in understanding and strengthening democratic norms, institutions, and civic participation. From public policy to the arts and creative expression, from fairness in the criminal justice system to good governance in boardrooms, from languages to foreign policy, scholars explore how societies govern themselves, the role of cultural engagement in democracy, and strategies for fostering more equitable, inclusive communities. Their research and creative activity inform civic and political life and make societal impacts at local, state, national, and global levels.
Addressing today’s most pressing environmental challenges requires interdisciplinary collaboration, and our faculty are tackling pressing and complex problems from climate change to biodiversity loss. Researchers in biology, environmental science, geography, political science, and across the arts and humanities are pioneering solutions to ensure a sustainable future. Their work is driving innovation in conservation, energy policy, and environmental justice, transforming how we interact with and protect our planet.
The life sciences in the College are at the leading edge of breakthroughs in health, medicine, and biotechnology. Faculty in molecular biology, biochemistry, and virology, among other disciplines, are exploring everything from gene editing to viral pandemics, aiming to revolutionize treatments, vaccines, and the future of healthcare. Their discoveries are poised to improve human health and combat global health challenges in unprecedented ways.
At the intersection of physics, chemistry, and engineering, materials science research in the College are helping define the future of technology and industry. Faculty are designing new materials with groundbreaking applications in energy storage, electronics, and sustainability. These innovations promise to transform industries and power the next generation of technological advancements, from renewable energy to wearable tech.
IU and College researchers are leading the charge in the second quantum revolution, harnessing the transformative power of quantum science to redefine technology as we know it. Scholars in physics, computer science, chemistry, and mathematics are breaking new ground in quantum mechanics, and their pioneering work has the potential to revolutionize industries worldwide while unlocking unprecedented possibilities for innovation. By pushing the limits of what’s technologically possible, IU is shaping a future where quantum science changes the very fabric of how we live and work.
