UKNow is highlighting the University of Kentucky’s 2022-23 University Research Professors. Established by the Board of Trustees in 1976, the professorship program recognizes excellence across the full spectrum of research, scholarship and creative endeavors at UK. 

Lindsey Fay, an associate professor within the University of Kentucky College of Design's School of Interiors, is one of the 14 University Research Professors for 2022-2023. The University Research Professorship Awards honor faculty members who have demonstrated excellence that addresses scientific, social, cultural and economic challenges in our region and around the world. 

College leadership develop criteria for excellence within their area of expertise and then nominate faculty who excelled at these criteria. Each University Research Professor receives a one-year award of $10,000. 

“Being recognized as a 2022-23 Research Professor by UK is a true honor that could not have been achieved without the continuous support of UK’s phenomenal academic and medical communities,” Fay said.

Fay’s work is centered around health design research and examines the intersection of people, processes and the built environment. Currently, her research utilizes post-occupancy evaluation to assess the design of health care spaces and its impact on care delivery. It further implements this methodology as a learning tool and immersive learning experience for interior design students.

Fay has worked with health care professionals, designers, patients and students on a number of funded research endeavors. She is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences and has been published in a number of peer-reviewed journals.

“I view my research as a collaborative and interconnected practice, which can only be strengthened and enhanced through engagement with others,” Fay said. “Throughout the trajectory of my tenure at the University of Kentucky, I have had the pleasure of engaging with creative and talented individuals from the College of Design’s School of Interiors and School of Architecture as well as the Colleges of Communication and Information, Health Sciences, Nursing, Pharmacy and UK HealthCare. These collaborative opportunities have afforded me new views of design and research, and have in turn strengthened my scholarly and professional contributions." 

Most recently Fay was selected as a participant in cohort 1 of the Research Leadership Academy and appointed as associate dean of research for the College of Design, set to begin July 1, 2022.