An educator, scholar, humanist and designer, Farès el-Dahdah received his undergraduate degrees in fine arts and in architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design. He went on to pursue his graduate studies at Harvard University where bridging of architecture and literary theory was the subject of his doctoral dissertation and a first manifestation of a lifelong commitment to working across disciplines.
He has written extensively about architectural theory, modern architecture and urbanism in Brazil and regularly lectures internationally. In addition to his academic activities, Dahdah has participated in cultural events at museums in Beirut, Paris, Berlin, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasilia.
His current research focuses on developing online geospatial platforms that illustrate the urban evolution of cities as well as on exploring and critiquing how digital platforms uphold the mission of disseminating knowledge. He serves on the Art of the Islamic Worlds Subcommittee at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston and on the boards of Casa de Lucio Costa and Fundação Oscar Niemeyer. As director of the HRC, he is involved in identifying, encouraging and funding the research projects of faculty, visiting scholars, graduate and undergraduate students as well as spearheading new ventures in the humanities and beyond.