Elizabeth Ulanova, based in Cambridge-Boston and London, works at the intersection of culture, art, tech, and design. Academically, Elizabeth graduated from the University of Cambridge (M.Phil, Sociology of Media and Culture, Twining Egginton Prize) and Columbia University (B.A, Visual Arts, Magna Cum Laude, Leadership Service Award). She then trained at Harvard University Graduate School of Design (M.L.A., Landscape Architecture Candidate) as a full-tuition Dean’s Merit Scholar, ranked at the top of her Harvard admissions class, and a Harvard Joint Center For Housing Studies CSFP Fellow. In 2024, Elizabeth founded Girls In Research - the world's first global, virtual, research and tech incubator for high school girls. G.I.R's scholars are actively researching on 5 continents working on novel, university-level projects ranging from multimodal engineering and aerospace sustainability to theoretical physics.
As a graduate student researcher at Harvard, Elizabeth's design research centered on the revitalization of underutilized landscapes such as utilizing play equity as a design intervention for urban renewal to approaching cemeteries through integrative regenerative ecosystems that challenge traditional burial practices. Elizabeth was awarded 3 consecutive Harvard Spark Grants from Harvard Innovation Lab for her work on Recess that utilized active play as a tool to foster community, connection, and resilience. Moreover, as a sociologist at Cambridge, Elizabeth undertook research in the realm of new media communication, specifically exploring the influence of social media on contemporary romantic relationships. Eager to push beyond conventional limits, Elizabeth initiated department-chaired independent studies at Columbia and Harvard and helped initiate the first student art studio at Downing College, University of Cambridge.
A passionate artist and writer, Elizabeth's artistry is deeply influenced by fluid, psychological storytelling. As a survivor of domestic violence, a neurodivergent child of colored immigrants, and a first-generation American, her first love in life is the art of crafting dialogue. Her artistic practice is described as ‘fluid memory,’ and she has exhibited award-winning artworks in New York, England, and Boston. Elizabeth's artwork ranges from abstract sculptures and fluid paintings to conceptual video installations and graphic renderings, making tangible the intangible emotions one experiences. As a poet, Elizabeth has performed her poetry live in notable art galleries in Boston and on the first-ever public television channel in New England.
California-born, Elizabeth is a New Yorker at heart and has lived in Asia and Europe. Elizabeth has a lifelong love for travel and has visited countries on 5 continents. Professionally, Elizabeth has held management positions at ed-tech NGOs, such as National President for The Ivy League Council and Head of the US Expansion of Project Access. After finishing high school early in California, she worked professionally while studying Mandarin in China, before working as the first-ever entrepreneur-in-residence at a biotech foundation (Richi Boston). Outside of work, Elizabeth is an astute follower of cooking documentaries, the proud mom of two adopted pit bulls—Brave (deceased) and Skylar—and can often be found driving with her dog