Eric Harris, a Visiting Assistant Professor in Architecture and Community Planning at UDC’s College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability, and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES), is a scholar and practitioner in urban sustainability, value-inclusive design and Black Modernism. His work bridges architecture, community planning and social equity, advancing research on resilience, justice and culturally responsive design. Harris mentors students in research and service-learning experiences while promoting active learning and leadership development in architectural education.
Experience
Visiting Assistant Professor, Architecture and Community Planning, UDC (2025–Present) Program Assistant, DAWN Initiative, Office of the President, UDC (2023–2025) Adjunct Professor, Architecture and Community Planning, UDC (2022–2025)
Education
Ph.D., Urban Leadership and Entrepreneurship (Urban Sustainability and Resilience), University of the District of Columbia M.Arch., Architecture and Community Planning, University of the District of Columbia MFA, Interior Architecture and Design, The George Washington University B.B.A., Marketing (Magna Cum Laude), University of the District of Columbia A.A.S., Business Technology (Honors, Dean’s List), University of the District of Columbia
Roles
NCARB Licensing Advisor (2024–Present) Project Lead, DAWN Program (2022–2025) Member, Association for Community Design (2024–Present) Member, National Organization of Minority Architects (2020–Present) Member, American Institute of Architects (2019–Present)
Courses Taught
Professional Ethics & Professional Practice I & II Urban and Community Design History and Theory of Architecture I & II Independent Studies CADD Documentation, Specifications, and Estimating
Expertise
Architecture, Interior Design, Urban Planning Urban Sustainability and Resilience Value-Inclusive Design Community-Centered Outreach and Advocacy Accreditation Standards and Instructional Design Evidence-Based Research and Mixed Methods
Research Focus
Value-Inclusive Design: Addressing social equity, sustainability, and resilience through participatory research and systematic reviews. Black Modernism: Exploring intersections of historic preservation, infrastructure, health, and environmental justice while advancing JEDI principles.
Methodologies
Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method approaches Systematic reviews and community-based participatory research
Impact
Selected Publications
Harris E, Franz A, Dixon K. The Birth of Black Modernism: Building Community Capacity Through Intentional Design. Buildings. 2025; 15(14):2544. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15142544 Harris, E., Franz, A., & O’Hara, S. (2023). Promoting social equity and building resilience through value-inclusive design. Buildings, 13(8), 2081. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13082081 Franz, A., Stuiver, M., Harris, E., & Sarabi, S. (2022). Urban architecture for wellbeing: a design canvas for inclusive green cities. In M. Stuiver (Ed.), The symbiotic city: Voices of nature in urban transformations.https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-935-0_12
Selected Presentations
Harris, E. (2025). Value-Inclusive Design For Learning Outcomes: Promoting Social Equity and Inclusion in Architectural Education and Practice. SSAC Conference: Exploring Our Built Environment; Ottawa, Canada. Harris, E. (2025). Reimagining Sustainability Education: Value-Inclusive Design and the Role of Heutagogy in Curricular Innovation. 3rd Transatlantic Symposium on Sustainable Development in Higher Education: Incorporating Sustainability in International Business Education Programmes, International Business University (IBU); Toronto, Canada. Harris, E. (2025). The Value-Inclusive Design Model: A Pathway to Sustainable, Culturally Responsive, and Community-Driven Material Commons. AMT Commons (Conference). Sidney and Lois Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design | Indiana University; Columbus, Indiana. Harris, E. (2025). The Birth of Black Modernism: Building Community Capacity Through Intentional Design. HBCU Forum, held by Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD. Harris, E. (2024). Value-Inclusive Design: Disruptive Innovation, Resistance, and Adaptation for Emerging Technologies to Promote Resiliency in the Built Environment and Architectural Practices. SSAC Conference: Forms of Repair: Care, Restoration, and Redress in the Built Environment; Winnipeg, Canada.
Invited Participation
Harris, E. (2025). Guest Speaker. ENBUS 602 – Introduction to Sustainable Sustainability, University of Waterloo, Ontario Canada. Harris, E. (2025). Session Chair. SSAC Conference: Exploring Our Built Environment; Ottawa, Canada. Harris, E. (2025). Peer Reviewer. AMT Commons, Indiana University; Columbus, Indiana. Harris, E. (2024). Jury Review. Second-year Studio, Howard University, Washington, DC. Harris, E. (2021—2023). Wageningen University & Research’s (WUR) Urban Greenhouse Challenge #3, Social Edition; Coach, Expert Panelist, Selection Committee Member, Washington, DC.
Awards
Editor’s Choice Article, Buildings Journal, 2025 CAUSES Aspiration Award, Architecture and Urban Sustainability Clarence Pearson Award for Leadership and Academic Performance
