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Maryam Karimi holds a practice-based Ph.D. in Visual Arts from York University, and a Master’s degree in Architecture (M.Arch) as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Science (B.Arch. Sci) from the University of Waterloo. Her interdisciplinary research examines the intersections of architecture, technology, and social justice. Her Ph.D. dissertation explored the potential framing theories of consciousness in relation to evolving technologies and governance, bridging philosophical inquiry with practice-based explorations in visual arts and architecture. Her creative practice spans architectural design, sculpture, object creation, and public installations, addressing themes of memory, protest, and participatory design in politically charged and socially resistant contexts. Currently, she serves as Special Faculty at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Architecture, teaching courses on design ethics and climate adaptation at the intersection of architecture, equity, and sustainability. Her ongoing research addresses critical global issues, including climate justice, ethics in AI and smart cities, and the spatial politics of public space and protest. Additionally, she is a co-founder of Fly-Bottle, a not-for-profit organization that fosters interdisciplinary communal inquiries among scholars and practitioners in the humanities, arts, and social sciences. Inspired by Wittgenstein's metaphor of breaking free from the 'fly-bottle' of limited paradigms, the organization provides a platform for collaborative research and dialogue aimed at critical reflection on contemporary societal challenges and encourages innovative approaches to rethinking structures of power and culture in design.
Admission is extremely competitive with no strict GPA cut-offs; holistic review is used.