From left to right, Sigrid Adriaenssens of civil and environmental engineering, Adam Finkelstein of computer science and Axel Kilian of architecture are collaborating on novel ways to control the interaction of light and buildings to save energy.

Interdisciplinary Approach

A Key to Innovation

At Princeton University, interdisciplinary research is the norm: a diversity of expertise leads to the most innovative ideas.

Research Collaborations

Across departments and across disciplines, Princeton faculty, postdocs, graduate students and undergraduates collaborate on a wide range of research projects year after year. Princetonians also take part in research all around the world (and beyond!) with colleagues at other companies, organizations and universities. Here are a few examples.

Mathematics and more
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Princeton professors Elliott Lieb and Mark Braverman were among those honored in 2022 for significant contributions to mathematics and affiliated fields by the International Mathematical Union.  

Science and the arts converge
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What does it mean to always be watching? Do animals deserve the right of privacy? Students in“The Visible Wild” visual arts and environmental studies course  asked themselves these questions as they explored wildlife habitats on and near campus.

Art partnership with HBCUs
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Students and seven faculty members from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the country are engaged in a a partnership between the Princeton Art Museum and the HBCU Alliance of Museums and Art Galleries.
A man and a woman walk toward the main entrance of the Andlinger Center complex.

Interdisciplinary Centers

The interdisciplinary approach to teaching and research is prevalent throughout the University, mixing scientists and humanists, engineers and social scientists in a variety of ways to enhance discovery and better serve humanity. Here's a list of some of the centers and programs at Princeton that take this approach: