Faculty Research
Chinese Studies: By researching pressing issues in Chinese politics, international relations, and development, as well as important trends in communication and environmental sustainability, WPI faculty help shape scholarly debates and US policy. Findings inform current U.S.-China relations and explore attitudes towards broader topics such as environmental sustainability and cross-cultural communication.
Engineering: Through research activities in the area of Computer-aided Manufacturing, WPI faculty is challenging best practices in manufacturing processes for the advancement of a global economy.
Energy: A multinational team of faculty and students, led by WPI, participated in the 2013 Solar Decathlon China competition (in Datong City, Shanxi, PRC), successfully building a net-zero energy house. The design effectively incorporated traditional Chinese architectural tenets and the team placed 8th overall. The achievements of the Solar Decathlon team tangibly demonstrated WPI’s commitment to the development of sources of energy and energy utilization that facilitate sustainable living.
Business and Supply Chain: WPI School of Business faculty recognizes the undeniable importance of China in international business practice and strategy. They use Chinese case studies and conduct research in China to learn how processes like supply chain and operations management impact businesses locally and globally.