Alison Irvine, Lang Theater ’14, Promotes Collaboration Between Artists and Scientists with the Biodesign Challenge
The New School encourages students to adopt an interdisciplinary approach in their studies, but the path Alison Irvine, Eugene Lang College ’14, chose took that idea to a new level. After graduating with a BA in Theater and a minor in Interdisciplinary Science with a focus on biology, Irvine helped launch the Biodesign Challenge, an educational program and competition that promotes collaboration between artists, designers, and scientists in imagining how to design a more sustainable future.
“The Biodesign Challenge, founded by Daniel Grushkin, started with the idea that in order to solve some of the planet’s most pressing problems, we’re going to need creative thinkers from multiple disciplines. We have to break down silos separating these disciplines and collaborate using every tool that we can,” says Irvine. The challenge launched in 2015 with nine participating schools and has since grown to include more than 50 schools from all over the world. Parsons School of Design became an official co-host of the two-day summit in 2019, along with the Museum of Modern Art, serving as the site of the program’s first day, including the symposium and presentations. “Parsons has always been focused on transformative design and empowering the next generation of creative thinkers. It’s the school’s ethos. To have them as a partner for the summit was just a natural fit. We’re grateful for all of their support, especially to Jane Pirone, associate professor of Communication Design, and look forward to continuing to partner in future years,” says Irvine.
Irvine, who now sits on the executive board of the Biodesign Challenge, met Grushkin through connections she made as a student. None of her science-oriented endeavors seemed likely when she first enrolled at Eugene Lang College as a theater major. But a lecture she heard during her first year presented by Katayoun Chamany, Mohn Family Professor of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, led her to recognize the role creative thinkers and practitioners could play in the sciences. “I was someone who had an interest in biology, health, and medicine, but it didn’t come naturally to me in high school, so I decided to pursue different subjects. I was fascinated with how Katayoun was able to situate the different technologies that are affecting our lives and place the traditional sciences into context with what’s happening in the world,” says Irvine. “The Interdisciplinary Science program is unique in that not only does it equip students with the technical skills and theory of biology, but all the faculty in the program do a wonderful job of placing it in the context of how these technologies are being applied and the social justice implications. It provides an expansive view of the world. The way Katayoun teaches is geared toward creative thinkers who are interested in the arts and other subjects.”
From LtR: Veena Vijayakumar, Alison Irvine, Daniel Grushkin, and Alexandra Kisielewski at the 2019 Biodesign Challenge
For Chamany, having a student with a creative background in an Interdisciplinary Science course was not unusual, as she often teaches students in the BA/BFA dual-degree program (which allows students to study at both Lang and either Parsons or the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music), along with Parsons design students interested in sustainability and environmental studies. However, teaching a theater student was somewhat different, and gave Chamany a new perspective on how she frames her work with students.
“Alison took my genetics course and the six-credit lab course. This lab course is very difficult and causes much anxiety for our Interdisciplinary Science majors. However, Alison was one of the best students in that class in terms of temperament, execution, and being able to troubleshoot and design experiments,” Chamany. “At one point, I had to ask Alison, ‘What’s going on? You’re enjoying the class, and I feel like the other students are stressed all the time.’ Alison told me that she thought it was partly because of her background in theater, where you have to learn to improvise. You have to think on your feet and shift in real time. This is something students have to do in a lab, but they don’t always realize that. I thought it was such an interesting insight she gave from her theater background, so I now try to incorporate that framing with students.”
Irvine, who now works as a science writer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, credits The New School with enabling her to learn how best to combine her two passions. “The New School was a transformative place for me. All of my professors, but especially my mentors Katayoun Chamany and Zishan Ugurlu, professor of theater, not only expanded my worldview in their classes but they played a large role in helping me figure out my path,” says Irvine.
“I fell in love with biology, but I fell more in love with communicating and teaching science. In the Theater program, I was able to explore acting, directing, and writing,” says Irvine. “I was able to compose my own pieces, create one-woman shows, and put on performances. In my writing, I explored topics through a science and society lens. Since I was able to pursue both the arts and science as a student, I didn’t want to have to choose between the two once I graduated. I will forever be grateful to my professors for allowing me to find a path that marries these two disciplines.”