INQUIRY | SCHOLARSHIP, RESEARCH, AND CREATIVE WORK | REVIEW 2025 3 Advancing Scholarship, Educating Students, and Addressing Challenges WELCOME to Inquiry, a review of research in the College of Arts and Sciences. Research is at the heart of everything we do at Lehigh. It drives discovery, fuels innovation and transforms both our understanding of the world and our ability to address its most pressing challenges. At Lehigh, research is more than an academic exercise—it is a dynamic force that bridges theory and practice, connecting classroom learning with real-world impact. Our faculty’s scholarship spans disciplines and crosses traditional boundaries, from studying bacteria’s potential to fight mosquito-borne diseases to exploring the cultural influence of graphic design. This interdisciplinary approach reflects our commitment to addressing complex problems that require diverse perspectives and expertise. What makes research at Lehigh especially powerful is how closely it integrates with our educational mission. Our students are deeply involved in our labs, creative spaces, and studios. Whether analyzing environmental stressors in labs, conducting fieldwork in national parks or collaborating with international research teams, students gain hands-on experience that shapes their academic journey and prepares them for meaningful careers. The impact of our research extends far beyond campus. Faculty discoveries advance science, inform policy and address societal needs. Through partnerships with local communities, federal agencies and private foundations, our research creates pathways for positive change that benefit both our region and the world. Research also cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential in a complex world. It teaches persistence in uncertainty, creativity in tackling challenges and the importance of evidence-based decision-making—qualities our graduates carry throughout their lives. As we continue to invest in infrastructure and support innovative scholarship, we remain committed to fostering an environment where curiosity thrives and discovery flourishes. message from the dean contributors CO-EDITORS Hayley Frerichs Robert Nichols M.Ed.’17 CAS ADVISORY BOARD Robert A. Flowers II, dean Kelly Austin, R. Michael Burger, Dawn Keetley, Jessecae Marsh, associate deans DESIGNER Kayley LeFaiver CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Hayley Frerichs Vicki Mayk Robert Nichols Lauren Thein PHOTOGRAPHERS Christine Kreschollek Christa Neu Inquiry is published annually by the College of Arts and Sciences at Lehigh University. COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Lehigh University 9 West Packer Avenue Bethlehem, PA 18015 cas.lehigh.edu Robert A Flowers II Herbert J. and Ann L. Siegel Dean CAS.Lehigh lehigh_cas lehighu-cas @lehigh_cas @Lehigh_CAS Douglas Benedict
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