Research Expertise and Interest

architecture, high-performance buildings, energy use, indoor environmental quality, post-occupancy evaluation, comfort and adaptation in buildings, natural ventilation and mixed mode

Research Description

Gail Brager, PhD, has been a professor in the Building Science & Sustainability area of the College of Environmental Design since 1984 and is also an affiliate faculty member of the Energy and Resources Group. Professor Brager serves as the director of the Center for Environmental Design Research, and associate director of the Center for the Built Environment, a research collaboration between the university and over 40 industry partners focused on improving the energy performance and environmental quality in buildings, with a focus on the workplace. This collaboration is important for making connections between research and the design and manufacturing industries. Professor Brager also has a 50% appointment as the associate dean of the Graduate Division.

Professor Brager conducts research and teaching across multiple dimensions of sustainability addressing the design, operation, and assessment of buildings, with a focus on thermal comfort and adaptation, occupant well-being, natural ventilation, and personalized environmental control.  Among her many service activities, Dr. Brager was the founding chair of the Research Committee of the US Green Building Council. She is also an ASHRAE Fellow and past-president of the Golden Gate ASHRAE Chapter.