At Stanford, a strong research program is considered an essential complement to the teaching programs, and all faculty are engaged in both activities.
Research is usually fundamental in nature, emphasizing the use of basic principles.
Often, both analytical and experimental work are required. Many projects are inter-disciplinary, and it is common for faculty, staff, and students from several specialty areas to work as a team on a given project. Student participation is essential, and student-faculty relations are relaxed and friendly. A few projects are supported by private corporations. The John A. Blume Earthquake Engineering Center promotes research and education in earthquake engineering to improve our understanding of earthquakes and their effects on facilities and structures.