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Dewhirst named inaugural Gray Design Building Gallery Director

Haley Simpkins
 Mar 23, 2026
College of Design, Interiors, Research, University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky College of Design has appointed Hannah Dewhirst as the inaugural gallery director for the Gray Design Building Gallery, a new leadership role that will guide the development of the gallery as a hub for exhibitions, research and public engagement. 

NCUR 2026

3 UK design undergrads to present at national research conference

Haven L. Patrick
 Mar 5, 2026
Architecture, College of Design, Interiors, Product Design, Research, University of Kentucky

Forty-eight University of Kentucky students, including three from the College of Design, will present their research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) on April 13-15 in Richmond, Virginia.

The FeltLOOM, a machine used to streamline what had traditionally been a slow, labor-intensive wool-processing workflow. Photo by Haley Simpkins.

Angelo Donghia Foundation grant brings FeltLOOM to UK SoftLab

Haley Simpkins
 Feb 26, 2026
College of Design, Interiors, Research, University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky School of Interiors has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Angelo Donghia Foundation to purchase a FeltLOOM, a multineedle industrial felting machine with a user-friendly design and intuitive operation, enhancing the SoftLab’s capacity to support a wider range of students and design education initiatives.  

Kristi Bartlett recently received the National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award with $649,752 over five years for her research. Photo by Jeremy Blackburn, UK Research Communications.

UK researcher explores new approaches to computer-aided design education

Erin Wickey
 Feb 25, 2026
College of Design, Product Design, Research, University of Kentucky

A University of Kentucky researcher is examining how students learn computer-aided design and what makes them excited to use it.

Anna Quarles sitting on her quilted chair. Photo by Bree Walton.

Creating a seat for sustainability: UK student turns recycled fabric into modular chair

Katelin Ralenkotter
 Feb 23, 2026
Product Design, Research, University of Kentucky

Anna Quarles, a product design senior in the University of Kentucky College of Design, prioritized sustainability in her final Soft Spaces class project last semester. With the help of Erin Geibel, recycling coordinator in Facilities Management, she transformed old T-shirts, blue wrap and grocery bags into a unique piece of children’s furniture.

Jennifer Meakins moves beyond fabrication, using the digital knitting machine as a core driver of research. Photo provided by UK Research Communications.

People Behind Our Research: Jennifer Meakins bridges design, material science and education

Erin Wickey
 Jan 29, 2026
Interiors, Research, University of Kentucky

 A University of Kentucky researcher is redefining textiles through digital knitting, using it as a research tool that connects design thinking and material science across fields.

The Chellgren Endowed Professorship helps Rebekah Radtke shape the undergraduate experience at UK through teaching, research and program innovation. Photo provided by UK Research Communications.

Advancing undergraduate education through the Chellgren Endowed Professorship: Rebekah Radtke

Ryan Girves
 Jan 23, 2026
Interiors, Research, University of Kentucky

For Rebekah Radtke, design has always been about connection — between people and place, local histories and global conversations, and disciplines that too often operate in isolation.

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2026 Summer Research Fellowships

Jan 20, 2026
College of Design, Research, University of Kentucky

Applications are now open for all categories of summer research fellowships. This year, the College of Design is offering undergraduate, graduate and international summer research fellowship opportunities, funded through the UK Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) and the College of Design.  Working with faculty mentors, students may apply for stipends of up to $5,000 to fund their independent summer research proposal. Eligibility criteria and proposal guidelines should be reviewed prior to the submission of an application.

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Student Research Lunch & Learn

Feb 4, 2026, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
College of Design, Research

Join Lindsey Fay, Associate Dean for Research, to learn about College of Design research opportunities during the academic year and summer, including assistantships, fellowships, travel funds and more. Hear from current previous graduate and undergraduate research fellows. Lunch will be provided. This event is open to all CoD students.

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CoD Research Seminar Series Graham Foundation

Jan 21, 2026, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
College of Design, Research

This edition of the CoD Research Seminar Series will feature presentations by Leen Katrib and Jeffrey Johnson on their Graham Foundation–funded projects. The session will offer insight into the Foundation’s application process, project development and lessons learned. Faculty and interested students are invited to attend, especially if they are planning to submit a Graham Foundation Grant to Organizations proposal in February.

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