Klotz is currently a professor of Engineering and Architecture at the
University of Virginia. He studies and teaches the science of design, and, in 2019, co-chaired a
Nature Sustainability Expert Panel on this topic. He has published articles in
Nature and
Science and, as of 2022, has an
h-index of 24. His research has been covered by
The Washington Post,
The Wall Street Journal,
The World Economic Forum,
Grist,
Scientific American, and newspapers around the world.
Books IN A GOOD PLACE: How the Spaces Where We Live, Work, and Play Can Help Us Thrive (Little, Brown, 2026).
In a Good Place draws on evidence across psychology, architecture, and more to show how deliberate engagement with physical spaces can reliably enhance well-being. The book argues that physical environments are one of the best ways to meet basic psychological needs for agency, competence, and connection.
SUBTRACT: The Untapped Science of Less (Flatiron Books, 2021).
Subtract has received various accolades.,,,,, The book builds from Klotz's research showing that the human mind tends to add before taking away, even to our detriment. The first half of the book discusses biological, cultural, and socio-economic explanations for this tendency. The second half of the book offers ways to overcome harmful subtraction neglect, drawing from science and from subtracting examples and exemplars such as:
Maya Lin,
Elinor Ostrom, The
Embarcadero Freeway,
Balance Bikes,
Anna Keichline, and
Bruce Springsteen. He also wrote
Sustainability through Soccer with University of California Press in 2016.
Notable research articles • "People Systematically Overlook Subtractive Changes." Nature. 592. 258–261. Adams, G., Converse, B., Hales, A., and Klotz, L. (2021) • "Embracing Behavioral Science." The Bridge – National Academy of Engineering. 50 (4). Klotz, L., and Pickering, J. (2020) • "Beyond rationality in engineering design for sustainability." Nature Sustainability. 1: 225–233. Klotz, L., Weber, E., Johnson, E., Shealy, E., Hernandez, M., and Gordon, B. (2018) • "Sustainability as a route to broaden participation in engineering." Journal of Engineering Education, 103(1): 137–153. Klotz, L., et al. (2014). • "A framework for sustainable whole systems design." Design Studies. 33(5) 456–479. Blizzard, J., and Klotz, L. (2012).
Science communication Klotz writes about research and design for popular outlets such as
The Washington Post,
Fast Company, and
Harvard Business Review. Klotz frequently appears on top science podcasts and radio shows such as
Freakonomics Radio,
Mindscape with Sean Carroll, the
Michael Shermer Show, and
PRI The World. ==References==