Richard F. Vaz is director of the Center for Project-Based Learning at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). The Center provides support to colleges and universities looking to implement or enhance project-based learning.

From 2006 to 2016 Vaz served as WPI’s dean of interdisciplinary and global studies, with oversight of the Interactive Qualifying Project, WPI’s interdisciplinary degree requirement, and the Global Projects Program, a worldwide network of 46 centers where more than 900 students and faculty per year address problems for local agencies and organizations. His interests include experiential and global learning, sustainable design and appropriate technology, curricular reform, and institutional change.

He has authored over 70 peer-reviewed or invited publications and directed student research projects in 14 locations worldwide, including Australia, Hong Kong, Namibia, and Thailand. He is a member of ASEE, and from 2004 to 2010 was a senior science fellow of the Association of American Colleges and Universities.

Dr. Vaz received his BS, MS, and PhD in electrical engineering from WPI, and has been a member of the WPI Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty since 1984. He has also held systems and design engineering positions at Raytheon, GenRad, and the MITRE Corporation.