Building on conversations about the future of design pedagogy that were started during the March 2020 “Schools of Thought” conference, the Gibbs College of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma recently hosted a series of webinar conversations that explored how to adapt to our changing world, or better yet, how to rebuild it as a better world.
Architecture faculty and designers are isolated and wrestling with questions about teaching online, the mental health challenges of isolation, how to adapt cities to the pandemic, and so much more right now. The “Schools of Thought” Summer Webinar Series sought to answer the question: How can we use the platforms we have to help in some way?
Rethinking Education for a More Equitable World
Thursday, August 6, 2020
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. EST
Panelists include: Karen Abrams (Heinz Endowments), Karlos Hill (University of Oklahoma), Bryan Lee (Colloqate), Marc Miller (Penn State), and Ann Yoachim (Tulane University). Co-hosted with BlackSpace Oklahoma.
The Role of the Arts and Humanities During a Pandemic
Thursday, July 23, 2020
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. EST
Panelists include: Brenda Child (University of Minnesota), Robin Gorna (International AIDS Activist), and Fernando Luiz Lara (University of Texas-Austin).
Safer During COVID-19: Ventilation, Technology and the Need for Resilience in Future Buildings
Thursday, July 9, 2020
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. EST
Panelists include: Lee Fithian (University of Oklahoma), Kristina Leach (University of Oklahoma), and Douglas L. Watts (RJC Engineers).
Public Space in a Time of Protest & Pandemic
Thursday, June 25, 2020
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. EST
Panelists include: Justin Ferguson (Meticulous Design), Shannon Criss (University of Kansas), Shane Hampton (University of Oklahoma) and Cory Henry (Atelier Cory Henry).
Teaching Design Studios Online: Sharing Best Practices
Thursday, June 18, 2020
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. EST
Panelists include: Ashley Bigham (Ohio State University), Laura Cole (University of Missouri-Columbia), Nick Senske (Iowa State University), and Milagros Zingoni (Arizona State University).
The Summer Schools of Thought Series is led by Stephanie Pilat, Angela Person and Tony Cricchio.
The Gibbs Design in Action Awards (GDAA) program, led by Dr. Wanda Liebermann, has announced its 2026–2027 funded student projects. The initiative supports design and research work that addresses social, cultural, and economic issues in the built environment through collaboration with faculty and community partners.
The OU Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) 2024 collaboration with the Historic Threatt Filling Station has been recognized in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's newly released Byways Report: The Scenic Route to Rural Prosperity – a story-driven publication exploring how road trip culture and place-based tourism can fuel economic growth in rural communities.
The Gibbs College of Architecture is pleased to announce that Camille Germany, Chief of Staff, has been named the 2026 recipient of the university-wide Jennifer L. Wise Good Stewardship Award.
