Sustainable Futures Design Lab in community for Kentucky through Design

The Sustainable Futures Design Lab is a collective of University of Kentucky researchers dedicated to socially responsible, critically engaged design that drives meaningful impact in Kentucky and beyond. The Sustainable Futures Design Lab was founded by Rebekah Radtke, an associate professor in the School of Interiors, and Jeff Fugate, an associate professor of Extension in the School of Architecture, both in the UK College of Design. The lab now operates in partnership with TRUST Hub.

By bringing together scholars from across disciplines, the lab fosters new collaborations, shares resources and supports creative scholarship that is deeply connected to community needs and global challenges.

Funding Opportunity: Rapid Response Research Pilot Grants

Faculty at the University of Kentucky may be eligible for up to $10,000 in funding through the Sustainable Futures Design Lab to support rapid-response, community-engaged projects related to environmental health, natural disasters and rural resiliency in Kentucky.

This opportunity supports the development of tools, technologies and creative design concepts that promote sustainable, community-focused solutions.

Applications close June 1, 2026.

LEARN MORE AND APPLY

SFDL April 2026 Meeting: Awardee Presentations

Join us for this SFDL meeting with the SFDL Awardees presenting on their projects.

Thursday, April 30, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM ET

Gray Design Building
Room 109
349 Scott Street
Lexington

JOIN THE MEETING

Since I regularly teach a class on art and environment to introduce students to eco-critical perspectives, I enjoy exchanging ideas with my colleagues from various disciplines and capacities on campus about how we can build a more responsible relationship with our environment through research, class activities, and community engagement for sustainable futures.

Peter Wang, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Art History and Visual Studies, College of Fine Arts

What We Do

Host gatherings that connect researchers and spark interdisciplinary dialogue
Develop and support community-engaged design projects with real-world relevance
Create spaces for collaboration to foster trust and connection
Promote sustainable solutions through academic research and outreach

Rapid Response Grant Awardees

The Sustainable Futures Design Lab is proud to award our 2025 Rapid Response Grants to the following faculty members:

Lindsey Fay
Leah Hamilton
Tad Mutersbaugh
Susie Thiel
Qinglu Ying

To learn more about each of our awardees and their sponsored projects, click below.

2025 SFDL Awardee Spotlights

Our Team

Rebekah Radtke, M.Arch

Co-Director, Sustainable Futures Design Lab

Associate Professor, College of Design

Serenity%20Wright%202022%20A%20cropped.png

Serenity Wright, Ed.D.

Senior Executive Director for Innovation, Community Health and Societal Impact

I am so grateful to participate in the Sustainable Futures Design Lab which introduced me to amazing people working across campus to create sustainable solutions for Kentucky and beyond. Most importantly, this group starts with people first - working directly with communities to make sure those most affected are not only part of identifying the challenges but also co-creating the solutions. Before this group, I had no idea there were so many different people across campus that shared my research interests and passions and I’m excited to see what the group continues to accomplish in the future!

Diana M. Byrne, Ph.D., P.E., ENV SP

Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering

Our efforts are funded by the University of Kentucky Office of Vice President for Research Emerging Themes for Research Program.