HKS Education Fellowship
The HKS Education Fellowship is a one-year program developed to propel talented recent graduates who are committed to improving education environments. The fellow pursues research while working on projects in our Education studio.
The inaugural fellowship in 2025 — open to applicants finishing their undergraduate or graduate studies — is much more than an academic opportunity to delve into a topic of choice. Fellows will work with some of the most influential architects and researchers in the profession and have access to networking and travel opportunities.
The selected applicant is given full-time employment at HKS and the opportunity to continue their career with the firm after the one-year fellowship term.
“At HKS, we believe the future of education demands bold thinkers who are ready to challenge assumptions and co-create environments where every learner can thrive. This inaugural Education Fellowship intends to empower early career professionals to contribute meaningfully to the industry by shaping the next generation of learning spaces with mentorship, purpose, and global reach.”
-Leonardo Gonzalez Sangri, Global Practice Director, Education
How It Works
The HKS Education studio leaders will assist the incoming fellow in developing a research topic. This topic will be based on the fellow’s particular area of interest and strategic initiatives within the HKS Education studio.
Suggested topics span the learning continuum of K-12 through higher education and include (but are not limited to):
- Neuroinclusive Learning Environments
- Social and Emotional Learning
- Mental Health and Well-being
- Belonging and Social Connection
- Nursing and Simulation Design
- Student Life
- Resilience, Adaptability and Healthy Campuses
- Generative AI and Pedagogy
- Regenerative Design and Building Performance
The fellow will also get the opportunity to attend one education-related conference to support research and education, coordinated through the committee of mentors.
At the end of the fellowship, the fellow will deliver a research deliverable that may include, but is not limited to, a research paper or evidence-based design tool.
HKS leaders will work with the selected Education Fellow to pair them with the HKS office location and mentorship that can best support their research interests and growth as a designer.
Potential Home Office Locations
- Dallas
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- New York
- Raleigh
“Training design practitioners in research methods is essential to building an evidence-based design process that doesn’t just generate knowledge but drives meaningful change. When early career designers of the built learning environment engage in action-oriented research, they’re empowered to shape spaces that truly reflect the unique needs of all students.”
-Renae Mantooth, PhD, Research Lead, Education
Important Dates & Applying
Applications open
April 1, 2025
Applications close
May 16, 2025
Interviews via Zoom
Rolling Interviews
Fellow announced
Early June
“Through research-based design and having measurable, quantifiable data, our work in living and learning spaces becomes so much more meaningful when we can validate whether the design intent has achieved its goal and provide the most value to our end users from students, faculty to the broader community. Creativity thrives when it’s grounded in solid research, as it transforms intuition into insight and inspiration to impact.”
-Diana Tang, Project Designer Education
