The School of Human Ecology had a year full of activity as an unstoppable force for human well-being and thriving. Throughout 2025, faculty, staff and students advanced the school’s mission through transformative research and exceptional …
Kevin Ponto
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 …
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 …
Human Ecology’s first two RISE Initiative hires will bring human-centered approach to AI research
Esther Kang (left) and Qi Yang The School of Human Ecology announces its first two hires as part of the Wisconsin Research, Innovation and Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Initiative. Esther Kang and Qi Yang, both incoming …
Eight faculty members receive promotions, named appointments
Several faculty members who recently received promotions and named appointments will return to campus this fall with added distinction. Larissa Duncan and Kevin Ponto were promoted to professor, and Margaret Kerr, David J. Pate Jr. …
Researcher Spotlights: Kevin Ponto on using new technologies to solve problems and collaborating across disciplines
Researcher Spotlights are Q&As that shine a light on School of Human Ecology faculty members’ unique scholarship and research interests. Kevin Ponto is an Audrey Rothermel Bascom Professor and an associate professor of Design Studies. His …
SoHE News: Apr 2–8
Bartfeld wins CALS award and speaks with NPR’s Marketplace, Harvey research noted in New York Times, Huambachano to keynote Global Health Initiative summit 4/14, McInnes to discuss Wisconsin’s Indigenous languages 4/12, Duncan to present on mental health for farmers 4/9, and more.
SoHE News: Nov 13–19
O’Brien talks retail trends and shopping local with Channel 3000, Raison on the mental health impacts of COVID-19, Collins on voter turnout, new paper from Poehlmann-Tynan, and more.
SoHE News: Oct 16–22
SoHE and CommNS win 3 WPP grants, Addo featured in Newsweek on pandemic economic relief, Duncan publishes on postpartum wellbeing, Community Altar Project goes virtual for 2020, and more.
SoHE News: Oct 9–15
Kirkorian to feature in Wisconsin Science Festival with comedian Shane Mauss, Poehlmann-Tynan and Kerr win inaugural Olson Grant from the National Council on Family Relations, Whelan describes “acedia” on Channel 3000, Mary Hark presents on papermaking with Badger Talks next week, and more.