Visiting Assistant Professor in the School of Information Claudia Berger, MSLIS ‘21, gave a talk concluding their year as the Scholars’ Lab’s first Virtual Artist in Residence. Their talk covered a data quilt made for them exploring the history of the Appalachian Trail and who national parks are designed for. Also, the companion zine to the special issue they edited for dh+lib won best DH Training Material at the 2024 DH Awards. The zine also includes work from Associate Professor in the School of Information Nancy Smith.
The Daily Hub
A roundup of ideas and projects from around the Institute
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Shivani Mithbaokar, MFA Fine Arts (Painting) ’25, was featured in Issue #176 of New American Painters, selected by Laura Phipps, assistant curator at Whitney Museum of American Art. Mithbaokar is a current resident at the NARS Foundation.
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Xavi Danto, MS Library and Information Science ’25, wrote an article for Pratt Library’s Iron & Glass blog on efforts being made to overcome gaps in the Institute’s archives. “Beyond the threat of obsolescence, why was this project necessary and pertinent? From the over twelve collections containing CDs and DVDs, what was saved is material available nowhere else, preserved as it was intended to live: digitally.”
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Steve Riccobono, assistant vice president of human resources, attended the National Workers’ Compensation conference to accept the Theo Award on behalf of The New York College and University Risk Management Group (NYCURMG), representing 27 colleges and universities across the state. The Theo Award recognizes excellence in workplace safety and worker’s compensation systems.
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Hazel Sun, BArch ’20, was profiled in the Village Voice. “Sun approaches design as a conversation between people, nature, and culture. Her work at Hart Howerton, an award-winning firm specializing in hospitality projects, shows her belief that spaces can become destinations for connection. By combining architectural precision with ecological sensitivity, she infuses her projects with a sense of warmth and belonging.”
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Visiting Professor of Fine Arts Karen Bachmann was interviewed on NPR’s All Things Considered for a segment on Leila’s Hair Museum in Independence, Missouri.
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Former Undergraduate Architecture student Jamaal Durr was featured in The Kettering Foundation in a profile that explores his journey to becoming a full-time artist. “I’m ready to make art that speaks to something greater than just my individual journey. I’m really excited to step into this kind of role and speak for more people. I like that people are able to resonate with the work that I have been doing or see themselves in it, or even hear themselves in the narrative.”
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Associate Professor in the School of Information John Decker presented a paper titled “Closing the Barn Door After the Horse Has Bolted. Problems Making AI Safe & Ethical” for the SIG AI Symposium at the 2025 ASIS&T Annual Conference in Crystal City, VA.
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Illya Azaroff, MArch ’97, was inaugurated as the 2026 President of the American Institute of Architects. “Architects are at the forefront of designing buildings and spaces that can withstand nature’s fury,” said Azaroff in his inaugural address. “As AIA President, I will work to ensure architects are empowered to create communities that are better prepared to deal with future disruptions.”
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Semantic Lab co-director Matt Miller analyzed AI scraper activity and traffic patterns on the Lab’s Wikibase instance, highlighting how disguised bots generating nearly a million requests per day can overwhelm small research infrastructures.
More Pratt Institute News
Designing Her Way to Her Dream Job
Recent alumna Renata Dominguez always knew she wanted to work in design. Now, just one year post-grad, she’s thriving at one of the biggest international branding agencies.
Seeing the City: Tours, Talks, and More
From Pratt Institute News
This fall in New York City, students went to the newly renovated Frick, explored innovative materials at a circular design brand, and heard from famed director Spike Lee.
Exploring the Role of Values in Art and Design Education
From Pratt Institute News
Hosted on Pratt’s Brooklyn campus, the 2025 AICAD Symposium featured sessions on climate literacy, community-based learning, and interdisciplinary collaboration.