ÑÇÖÞAV

Research

As the number one public university in Virginia and a top 10 U.S. university for innovation, George Mason is at the forefront of innovation and discovery to meet the toughest challenges and creating opportunities yet to be imagined.

George Mason is the state’s largest public research university,Ìýdoubling its research expenditures over the last five years, totaling $262 million in 2024.Ìý

Holding an R1 designation from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, George Mason’sÌýresearch goes beyond the desire to know—it expands our understanding, knowledge, shares data and expertise with communities enabling local response, and builds the infrastructure to improve lab-to-market.

According to multiple EduRank rankings,
George Mason’s research is best in Virginia.

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Building the Infrastructure to Advance Vital Research

George Mason established three institutes to develop operational efficiencies and cross-discipline collaborations around funding, proposal design, and partnerships to advance nascent innovations and develop new ideas from experiment to enterprise, faster.

A student in full body wet/rubber suit stands in thigh high water with an autonomous boat that collects water samples

Potomac Science Center

TheÌýÌý(ISE) conducts integrativeÌýresearch that bridges disciplinary gaps to realize innovative advances in an era of rapid global change.Ìý

A female bioengineer in the biohealth innovation lab

Institute for Biohealth Innovation

TheÌýÌý(IBI) pioneers advancements in health care, pushing the boundaries of medical research to enhance human well-being.

Students build and program blimps in a large well lit space in the MARC center

Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center (MARC)Ìý

The Ìý(IDIA) is revolutionizing technology and advancing its applications, shaping the future of digital landscapes.

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Expanding Portfolios in Critical Research

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) will be central to the future of knowledge creation, scientific discovery, creative expression, workforce development, and campus operations.

George Mason has namedÌýAmarda ShehuÌýas the university’s inaugural vice president and chief artificial intelligence officer (CAIO) to lead the strategy and implementation across research, academics and training, and partnerships, maximizingÌýopportunity and adoption in concert with ethical considerations, governance, and risk mitigation.

George Mason was also the first to offer aÌý. Recently, the university opened the multidisciplinaryÌý(MARC), which has a 1,649-square-foot, two-story aviary for testing drones and areas for lab experiments, under the guidance of MARC co-directorÌý. This Fall 2024, George Mason created a new Responsible Artificial Intelligence Graduate Certificate program.

Fuse at Mason Square 'topping out'

The Mason community previews student demonstrations in the Van Metre Hall engineering lab to celebrate Fuse at Mason Square. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding.


National Security and Defense

Growing threats from sophisticated cyberattacks, complex disinformation operations, and efforts to damage the economy—law and policy experts, researchers and scientists at ÑÇÖÞAV are regularly engaged with U.S. government agencies, business and think tanks to advance next-generation capabilities and readiness to ensure the country’s safety.

George Mason is a key partner in theÌýÌý(CCI), Virginia’s engine for collaborative research, workforce development, and innovation at the intersection between cybersecurity, autonomous systems, and intelligence.ÌýLiza Durant, George Mason’s associate provostÌýfor strategic initiatives and associate dean at the College of Engineering and Computing, is the director of the CCI’s Northern Virginia Node.Ìý

According to the World Economic Forum, cyber insecurity remains one of the top 10 global risks over the next 10 years.ÌýLed by Founder and Executive Director Jamille Jaffer, theÌýÌýat Antonin Scalia Law School is the premier hub of national security thought leadership and policy solutions in the nation’s capital, educating future leaders, informing policy and dialogue, providing practical solutions, and free security support to under-resourced organizations.ÌýJaffer shared his view on current and future global threats on President Washington’s Access to Excellence podcast:Ìý.

The university is committed to growing a strong, diverse cybersecurity workforce—from critical infrastructure to small businesses and schools.ÌýSarah Campbell, George Mason’s new associate vice president of research for defense and security initiatives, will collaborate across the university to expand applied research and funding sources to support defense and security programs.

A man wearing a blazer, tie and button-down shirt, wears headphones as he speaks into a microphone in a recording booth.
ATE Ep 59: Cybersecurity and the global threats of tomorrow
ATE Ep 59: Cybersecurity and the global threats of tomorrow

Mason President Gregory Washington interviews Jamil Jaffer for an Access to Excellence podcast episode. Photo by Cristian Torres/Office of University Branding

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Making Discovery Inclusive and Possible Everywhere

Students, faculty, and partners are learning and discovering in colleges, in cutting-edge labs, and in facilities across the region.

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Partnerships and Centers at George Mason
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Resources for Faculty and Student Success
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