2024 Fall Lecture Series: Erika Eitland

Every day our built environment impacts our health and well being by influencing our physiology, behaviors, and relationships. This connection has never been more clear than in our K-12 school environments. Our educators and students’ success depend on quality educational facilities and thoughtful design decisions.

Dr. Erika Eitland, MPH, ScD, is the Director of the Human Experience (Hx) Lab at Perkins and Will where she focuses on the public health impact of K-12 schools, affordable housing, and urban resilience. She earned her doctorate from the Harvard Chan School of Public Health in Environmental Health where she was the lead author of ‘Schools for Health: Foundations for Student Success’ report that examined more than 250 scientific articles on the association between building quality and student health and performance. Erika is the co-founder and co-host of the Inhabit podcast, a show focused on the power of design. She has presented her research internationally at the World Bank, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, American Society of Interior Design and U.S. Green Building Council. Erika advises on national policy for the U.S. EPA as a member of Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee. She also holds a Master of Public Health in Climate and Health from Columbia University.