B Sanborn

B Sanborn is an independent research strategist and consultant focused on research quality, strategy, and policy in professional design practice. They work with designers, manufacturers, and institutional partners to strengthen how applied research is planned, evaluated, and used to inform decision-making. Their current focus is on non-extractive research methods and enabling post-occupancy evaluation in industry.

B spent a decade in design firms, most recently as a Principal at an international integrated design firm, where they built and led a firmwide interdisciplinary research program spanning 30+ offices. In that role, they co-led an internal R&D Grant program, managed IRB-compliant human subjects research, and led studies across corporate workplace, hospitality, K-12, higher education, healthcare, federal government, and sports projects. Their work has been recognized by Fast Company, Metropolis Magazine, and the Environmental Design Research Association.

B holds an M.Sc. in Environmental Psychology from Cornell University with a minor in Organizational Behavior, and a B.A. in Anthropology from California State University, Sacramento. They currently serve as Board Chair of the Environmental Design Research Association and sit on the EDAC Advisory Council at the Center for Health Design. They are a member of the APA Climate Change Task Force and co-authored a 2026 policy brief on extreme heat and school environments. B has taught research methods at the University of Minnesota and Cornell University, and speaks regularly at industry and academic conferences on topics including post-occupancy evaluation, evidence-based design, and the gap between research claims and research practice in the design professions.