R. Benjamin Knapp, a researcher who has held leadership roles at various universities, including Virginia Tech, has been appointed as the new dean of the College of Arts, Media and Design, or CAMD, effective Aug. 22, the college announced July 25.
Interim Provost Tom Sheahan announced Knapp’s appointment in an email sent to the CAMD community. Knapp will take over the role from interim Dean Brooke Foucault Welles, who replaced former Dean Elizabeth Hudson after she stepped down June 30.
Foucault Welles assumed the role of interim dean July 1 after Hudson announced her resignation in October 2024. Outgoing Provost David Madigan announced Foucault Welles’ appointment in a June 27 email to the CAMD community. Foucault Welles’ term as Interim Dean will end Aug. 22, according to Sheahan’s July email.
Knapp will join Northeastern staff after over 14 years as the founding executive director of the Institute for Creativity, Arts and Technology at Virginia Tech. Prior to working at Virginia Tech, Knapp spearheaded auditory research initiatives at Queen’s University, Belfast.
Outside of academia, Knapp served as director of technology at MOTO Development Group, a consulting firm that has worked with technology companies including Apple, Sony and Microsoft.
In his email, Sheahan praised Knapp’s work, saying that he “has pioneered research at the intersection of technology and human creativity.”
Knapp’s research has included developing a bio-mechanical system at Stanford University’s Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics, and creating a database of emotional responses to music with the pan-European SIEMPRE project.
Knapp was also a principal investigator at a National Endowment for the Arts lab, and last year, he led the first iteration of Creativity, Empathy and AI: A National Summit on The Human-AI Creative Partnership.
“Ben’s leadership extends beyond his research,” Sheahan said, adding that during Knapp’s time as emeritus co-chair and advisor for the Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities, “he has championed the integration of arts with all fields across higher education.”
“His transdisciplinary approach and extensive industry partnerships will serve him well in advancing Northeastern’s mission and our commitment to experiential learning,” Sheahan said.
Sheahan thanked the search committee for its work in identifying candidates, as well as Foucault Welles for her work as interim dean.
