Thaddeus Guldbrandsen

Thaddeus Guldbrandsen, Ph.D., is Dean of the School of Sciences & Humanities and Professor of Anthropology at Wentworth Institute of Technology. His work brings together anthropology, political economy, and environmental studies, with a focus on climate resilience, urban adaptation, and the changing role of higher education.

His scholarship examines how institutional histories and economic systems shape contemporary challenges, particularly in relation to environmental risk and social inequality. His current work includes collaborative research with Wentworth faculty on climate resilience, as well as projects that explore the use of games and experiential learning to engage students in complex decision-making about the future of cities and environments. He has taught courses in anthropology and interdisciplinary studies that emphasize applied learning, critical analysis, and real-world problem solving.

A significant portion of his career has focused on applied research and public-facing work. He has produced reports, policy recommendations, and economic and social impact assessments for government agencies, companies, and community organizations. Representative projects include the White Mountain Alternative Transportation Plan for the U.S. Forest Service, a guide to implementing community-scale biomass energy systems, and regional socio-economic trends reports used by policymakers and stakeholders.

As Dean, Guldbrandsen focuses on creating the conditions in which faculty and students can thrive. He works with faculty to support curriculum development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and student-centered innovation across programs including Climate Resilience, Computer Science + Society, Applied Sciences, and Physics. His leadership emphasizes hands-on learning, career-connected education, and the integration of humanities and social sciences perspectives into technical fields.

Before joining Wentworth, he served as Vice Provost for Research and Engagement at Plymouth State University, where he led initiatives in undergraduate research, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. He also served as a research administrator at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, supporting large-scale, interdisciplinary research programs in an international context.