Researcher Spotlights are Q&As that shine a light on School of Human Ecology faculty members’ unique scholarship and research interests. Sarah Anne Carter is the Chipstone Foundation Design and Material Culture Chair, an associate professor …
Design Studies
Age in place app gets boost: Kevin Ponto and research team receive $1 million National Science Foundation grant
Audrey Rothermel Bascom Professor of Design Studies Kevin Ponto and a team of fellow researchers have received a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to continue developing a new tool that uses augmented …
How human ecologists are propelling environmental well-being through design
Stephanie Phillips ’12 and her team at the deconstruction and circular economy program for the City of San Antonio have diverted more than 500 tons of reusable construction materials from landfills. An alumna of the …
When there is no map: Human ecology as a compass in navigating AI
How do human ecologists approach the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in everyday life? By asking thoughtful questions rooted in human-centered principles, and drawing from longstanding expertise in relationships, communities, consumers and design. “Generative …
Human Ecology welcomes new faculty and instructional staff in 2025
The School of Human Ecology is excited to welcome four new faculty and three new instructional staff members to campus this fall. These scholars and lecturers bring interdisciplinary expertise in areas like fathering and child …
Center for Design and Material Culture announces new name and celebrates new possibilities for creativity, learning and research
It’s the start of a new chapter for the School of Human Ecology’s Center for Design and Material Culture as it introduces a new name and celebrates the expanded learning opportunities made possible by a …
Faculty members receive promotions and named appointments
Human ecologists who recently received promotions and named appointments will return to campus this fall with added distinction. Marianne Fairbanks has been promoted to professor, and Megan Doherty Bea and Kasey Keeler have been promoted …
Safer homes by design: App in development by UW researchers will make ‘aging in place’ more accessible
How could augmented reality help older adults remain safely in their homes? A project led by Design Studies faculty Jung-hye Shin and Kevin Ponto explores this question. Their innovative tool will not only streamline a …
Q&A with iconic designer Bruce Mau, the inaugural Phillip A. Levy Fellow in Life-centered Design
Globally renowned designer Bruce Mau will teach a highly anticipated new course about life-centered design at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2026, as the inaugural Phillip A. Levy Fellow in Life-centered Design. Life-centered design is …
Designing a better future for all: Iconic designer Bruce Mau introduces life-centered design to UW–Madison students
The visionary creative who helped redesign Mecca, rebrand Guatemala, and create the global sustainability campaign for The Coca-Cola Company, is coming to the University of Wisconsin–Madison for a yearlong teaching pursuit. Students will soon have …