Rhode Island School of Design Appoints Sharma as Provost

Rhode Island School of Design Appoints Sharma as Provost

Pradeep Sharma has been selected as the new provost of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).  Having served as the interim provost since last January, he will assume his new position immediately.

“Since joining RISD in 2012 as dean of Architecture + Design, Pradeep Sharma has proven himself to be a trusted leader, and an expansive and challenging thinker,” notes RISD President Rosanne Somerson. “Pradeep has fostered new forms of research as well as integration among the fine arts, design, liberal arts and foundation studies at RISD. I'm confident that his global perspective, intellect, and collegiality will all contribute to advancing RISD's academic programs and our impact in the world. I'm delighted that Pradeep will serve as provost and on my leadership team."

Sharma has also served as a teacher, designer, researcher, and design strategist at the school. Before RISD, he was the dean of the Bath School of Art and Design at Bath Spa University, England; the head of Art and Design at the University of Glamorgan's Cardiff School of Create and Cultural Studies, UK;  and a research fellow and senior lecturer at Unitec Institute of Technology, New Zealand.  He holds degrees from the University of Hertfordshire, Teesside University, and Cambridge University. Outside of the academic world, Sharma has spent over 10 years as the head of his own international design management and innovation consultancy practice.

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“It is my privilege to take on the role of provost,” says Sharma. “I deeply value RISD’s commitment to practice and the attention that is paid here to taking experience seriously. At RISD new technologies coexist with traditional technologies, new methods constantly evolve, ideas drive making, students want to change the world, faculty really know how to teach, the hand is conscious of the brain, ideas exist in contexts of practice, culture, society and politics, and art and design are at the forefront of everything we do.”

Sharma and President Somerson, will work together to "articulate RISD's academic vision and direction" to students, faculty, staff, and the international community.