ACADEMIC
EXCELLENCE
CENTERS
THAT MATTER
THE CENTER FOR FOOD STUDIES
While food security and sustainability are global concerns, solutions must be locally tailored and culturally informed. The Center will address the following critical issues:
Sustainability & Resilience of Food Systems
How can we create food systems that are both environmentally sustainable and resilient to the challenges posed by climate change and resource depletion?
Food Policy and Governance
What policies are needed to ensure equitable access to food in a rapidly changing world?
Cultural Preservation and Innovation
How can we balance the preservation of traditional food cultures with the need for innovation in food production and consumption?
The Center will bring scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and students together to explore these questions through interdisciplinary research, public programming, and collaboration with global food institutions.
THE CENTER FOR ART & DESIGN
The Center for Art & Design addresses key societal needs by preparing graduates to honor classical artistic traditions while mastering modern technologies - expanding the limits of creativity and innovation in their fields.
Through creative problem-solving, creativity, and interdisciplinary thinking, students will navigate complex challenges across industries, from technology to urban planning, offering fresh perspectives and innovative approaches.
By capitalizing on the rapid growth of the creative economy, graduates will lead in fields such as media, digital design, and fashion.
In today’s interconnected world, art and design serve as powerful tools for communication across cultures. By training students to convey complex ideas through visual media, the school will contribute to a more globally conscious workforce, breaking down cultural barriers and promoting collaboration.
THE CENTER FOR CAREER STRATEGY AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
In today’s interconnected world, the nature of work is undergoing profound transformations. The rise of digitalization, artificial intelligence, and globalization of markets means that the skillsets required to thrive in the job market constantly evolve.
Employers are seeking candidates with strong academic backgrounds, practical experience, and the ability to adapt to new environments and challenges.
The Center will address the following key issues:
The Skills Gap
Many graduates enter the job market with strong academic credentials but lack the practical experience and soft skills needed to succeed in professional settings. The Center will bridge this gap by offering career development workshops, real-world projects, and experiential learning opportunities that cultivate technical and interpersonal skills.
Global Employability
Students must be prepared to navigate diverse cultural contexts and understand international cultures and business practices. The Center will help students develop the cross-cultural competencies needed to work effectively in multinational contexts.
Experiential Learning Opportunities
The Center will collaborate with a wide range of local and international employers to offer internships and project-based learning experiences. These opportunities will allow students to apply their academic knowledge in professional settings, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.
Career Pathways and Professional Networks
Traditional career trajectories are becoming less predictable, with many professionals now working in multiple industries or roles over the course of their careers. The Center will provide individualized career stategies, helping students navigate the complexities of modern career paths and adapt to an evolving professional landscape.
THE CENTER FOR DEMOCRACY & SOCIETY IN THE
AGE OF AI
In 1969, amid the political polarization following WWII, The American University of Rome (AUR) was founded as a testament to the transformative power of American liberal education. The founders believed education was key to preventing another global conflict.
Their conviction in education’s role in fostering international understanding and democratic values remains the cornerstone of AUR’s mission. They envisioned a university where students from around the world could learn, grow, and contribute to a peaceful future.
The Center for the Study of Democracy and Society in the Age of AI continues this mission. In a time when emerging technologies are reshaping political, economic, and social landscapes, the Center addresses modern challenges reminiscent of the founders’ concerns about political extremism and social unrest.
By fostering interdisciplinary research, innovative curricula, and critical discourse, the Center aims to prepare students to navigate and shape the future of democracy, technology, and artificial intelligence.
While STEM fields advance AI’s technical capacities—from machine learning to robotics—there is an urgent need for complementary research addressing the profound social, ethical, and political implications of AI. These include:
Human Identity and Autonomy: As AI replicates and surpasses human abilities, the question “what does it mean to be human?” becomes pressing. How do we maintain dignity and agency when machines mimic thought, creativity, and decision-making?
Privacy and Surveillance: AI has enhanced surveillance, raising serious concerns about privacy. How can civil rights be protected in the face of invasive technologies?
Politics of Inequality: AI-driven automation is transforming labor markets, fueling concerns over job loss and rising inequality. What safeguards are needed to protect vulnerable populations?
Disinformation and Trust: AI’s ability to generate false content threatens public trust and undermines democratic institutions. How do we protect information integrity in the digital age?
The Center will address these challenges by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among philosophers, sociologists, ethicists, political scientists, and communication scholars. Together, they will explore AI’s societal impacts and propose solutions that prioritize human dignity, well-being, and freedom.
Faculty & program development fund
Gifts to the Faculty and program development fund enable the university to establish and maintain academic development to benefit our entire community.
In addition to bolstering educational initiatives, unrestricted academic giving provides resources for professors to shape the curriculum toward new methodologies, bring a speaker to campus, organize a seminar, launch a new program, support special projects, or increase field workshops and visits.
This fund is also used to help AUR attract and retain the very best faculty, those who are leading scholars in their fields.
The James Walston Fund
The James Walston Fund was launched by alumnae Sally Pisch (International Relations, 2010) and Caitlin Bagby (International Relations, 2009) in May 2014 following the premature passing of Professor James Walston.
Walston taught at AUR for a quarter of a century and was one of its most beloved professors, providing his students with fascinating classes and real-world experiences, always combined with habitually gentle wisdom. This fund supports initiatives in his memory, including student support, travel, and lectures.