My interdisciplinary research agenda, over 27 years, has deployed “interactive aesthetics” (Bennett 2021; Bennett 2002) to address complex societal challenges that create barriers to equity and social justice. I conduct this research within Baohouse, a collaborative virtual studio that I founded and direct.

I Profess Research funded by Michigan State University and the University of Michigan

I Profess Research funded by Michigan State University and the University of Michigan
Inclusive Museum Research funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and Coforma

Inclusive Museum Research funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and Coforma
Food Security Research funded by the University of Michigan

Food Security Research funded by the University of Michigan
Artisanal Futures Research funded by the National Science Foundation

Artisanal Futures Research funded by the National Science Foundation
Stamps Desis Lab Research funded by Stamps School of Art and Design

Stamps Desis Lab Research funded by Stamps School of Art and Design
Children's Health Research funded by Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship

Children's Health Research funded by Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship
Design Education Research funded by AIGA DEC/Rensselaer

Design Education Research funded by AIGA DEC/Rensselaer
HIV/AIDS Prevention Research funded by NSF

HIV/AIDS Prevention Research funded by NSF
Diversifying STEM Research funded by NSF/Google

Diversifying STEM Research funded by NSF/Google
Early Readers Research funded by Rensselaer

Early Readers Research funded by Rensselaer
Socially Intelligent Robots Research not yet funded

Socially Intelligent Robots Research not yet funded
Artist's Books Research self funded

Artist's Books Research self funded

Directed by Audrey G. Bennett

  • BAO is a game played in Africa. Here it is used metaphorically to describe collaborative designing remotely. While other researchers have used the virtual design studio concept to represent computer-supported, cooperative work, these human-computer interactions are typically for professional projects (e.g., architects talking to architects). With Baohouse (pronounced Bauhaus), I aim to engage lay communities locally and remotely. It is an immaterial and motile space where I conduct theoretical and applied investigations on how “interactive aesthetics” can engage lay people with socially and environmentally transformative images that can yield cognitive and behavioral changes toward attaining equity and justice.

  • Marguerite Botha, University of Pretoria, South Africa (Children’s Health in SA)

    Fatima Cassim, University of Pretoria, South Africa (Children’s Health in SA)

    Chris Corneal (I Profess)

    Mukkai Krishnamoorthy Department of Computer Science, Rensselaer (Diversifying STEM)

    Alison Eardley, University of Westminster (W-iCAD)

    Ron Eglash, School of Information + Stamps, University of Michigan (Diversifying STEM; Artisanal Robots; HIV/AIDS Awareness and Prevention; Humanoid Robots; and Life)

    Michael Lachney, Michigan State University (Diversifying STEM)

    Lionel Roberts, School of Information, University of Michigan (Artisanal Robots)

    Jennifer A. Vokoun, Walsh University (Food Security)

  • William Babbitt, Research Associate, Rensselaer (Diversifying STEM, CS4HS)

  • Adream Blair (GLIDE’10-’12)
    Gloria Gomez (GLIDE’10-’12)
    Muthoni Kimani (GLIDE’12)
    Michele Washington (GLIDE’08-’12)

  • University of Michigan Doctoral Students:

    Kwame Robinson, SI (Artisanal Robots)

    Caitlin Dyche, C&M, LSA (The Just Museum Experience)

    University of Michigan Masters Students:

    Megan Freund, Stamps (Diversifying STEM)

    Kayla Guillory, Stamps (WSDOM)

    Shelbi Lisecki, Stamps (Interactive Aesthetics)

    Stephanie Szemetylo, Stamps (WSDOM)

    Nicholas Lamarca, Stamps (The Just Museum Experience)

    Rensselaer Doctoral Students:

    David Banks (Red Card)

    Brian Callahan (Diversifying STEM, CS4HS)

    Michael Lachney (Diversifying STEM, CS4HS)

    John Licato (Red Card)

    Ray Lutzky (Diversifying STEM, DYF)

    Marie Rarieya (Act Now)

    Dylan Rees (Diversifying STEM, CS4HS)

    Rensselaer Masters Students:

    Sarah Diodato (Act Now)

    Angelo Gaetano (Act Now)

    Mark Oppenneer (GLIDE)

  • University of Michigan

    Rohan Agrawal (WSDOM)

    Katie Bailey (WSDOM)

    Tawsif Habib (WSDOM)

    Chloe Hooker (Diversifying STEM)

    Gautham Jayaraj (WSDOM)

    Zahra Makim (WSDOM)

    Michael McCallig(WSDOM)

    Amirul Miah (Diversifying STEM)

    Lara Niemchick (Heritage Algorithms)

    Angela Ponce Solano (WSDOM)

    Aaron VonBargen (WSDOM)

    Daniel Williams (DESIS Lab)

    Rensselaer Laura Antoniello (Social Media Marketing)

    Zac Autio (Diversifying STEM, DYF)

    Melissa Batalin (GLIDE)Joe Brust (Act Now)

    Jesse Cline (Diversifying STEM, DYF)

    Mackenzie Clippard (Diversifying STEM, CS4HS)

    Joyce Edwards (Act Now)

    Kim Gomboz (GLIDE)

    Andy Lao (Social Media Marketing)

    Ashlee Lindo (GLIDE)

    Rajas Nagpurkar (Diversifying STEM, CS4HS)

    Natalie Semczuk (Diversifying STEM, DYF)

    Laura Sherman (Act Now)

    Kelly Singco (GLIDE)

    Donna Tytko (Act Now)

    Carla Voorhees (Act Now)

  • Marcel Bennett (Diversifying STEM, DYF)

    Moriah Harling (Diversifying STEM, CS4HS)

    Jamie Park (Diversifying STEM, CS4HS)

    Jonathan Ward (Diversifying STEM, DYF)

    Kimi Wenzel (Diversifying STEM, CS4HS)