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 …
Sarah Anne Carter
Pursuing a love of American art and material culture: Meet Natalie Wright
Written by Nicole Etter During her time as a Design Studies doctoral student at University of Wisconsin–Madison, Natalie Wright has developed a remarkable resume as an emerging scholar in material culture. Wright worked as a …
Designer, creative and human ecologist: A conversation with G Green x’27
Story by Sofia More x’26, UW–Madison student studying Community & Organizational Development Since age 14, Grantham (G) Green x’27 has been involved in the fashion scene. Originally starting off in modeling, the visual powerhouse has …
Researcher Spotlights: Sarah Anne Carter on what everyday objects can teach us about the world — and ourselves
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 …
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 …
Human Ecology students ask: What can we learn from toys?
Human ecologists look at things from multiple perspectives. Sixty students practiced this approach by examining…toys! They visited the Child Development Lab and noticed what they could learn about toddlers’ developmental milestones and needs by observing …
Celebrating Fall Research Competition recipients as 2024 application opens
The Fall Research Competition, offered by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, is a chance for UW–Madison faculty members to receive vital funding support for research projects. Applications for the 2024 competition are …
Addison Nace weaves a new understanding of global fashion
Written by Sandra K. Barnidge (Journalism ’09, MA’13) Most fashion historians focus on documenting change over time in how styles are cut from fabric, like sculptures chiseled out of stone, and a sharp pair of …
From Cultural Appropriation to Cultural Appreciation at the Center for Design and Material Culture (Museum magazine; Carter, Dodge Francis, Jean, Jenkinson, Mace, Center for Design & Material Culture, Equity and Justice Network, Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection, Indigenous EcoWell Initiative and Lynn Mecklenburg Textile Gallery)
Human Ecology faculty, staff and a Ph.D. student describe the school’s efforts to use items from the Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection to help visitors understand the difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation.