UW-Madison School of Human Ecology

09/03/2026

In partnership with Professor of Human Development & Family Studies Larissa Duncan and the School of Human Ecology, Jardines de Espascios brings together research art, lived experience and community wisdom to deepen public understanding of maternal and child health inequities. The week-long series, hosted by Cooperativa Raíces para el Cambio/ Roots4change Co-op, features community conversations, an opening reception and closing event. Visit the Jardines de Espacios website for specific event details: https://jardines.roots4change.coop/

09/02/2026

Meet Designer and Innovation Strategist Trudy Watt 🙌

Trudy is the Academic Director for the UW-Madison Master of Science in Design + Innovation as well as a Kay Vaughan Innovation Fellow at the UW-Madison School of Human Ecology.

She speaks widely on design leadership, innovation strategy, and the role of applied compassion in transforming systems.

Invite Trudy for a talk here: https://hubs.li/Q04vJ8fs0

09/02/2026

While misinformation, disinformation, and media manipulation have always been a challenge to civic health, the current digital media landscape presents acute threats to civic health and democracy, and can create toxic polarization! How can we engage with media responsibly and thoughtfully, for positive civic engagement?

Join us for a workshop of the Fostering Online Resilience and Understanding Media for Students (FORUMS) for Civic Health program. All are welcome! Learn more and sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/FORUMS-sign-up

Initial virtual sessions will be held on: September 9th 3:30-5:30pm and September 10th 9:30-11:30am.

Want to do more? You can be a FORUMS Facilitator by joining one of our training sessions and then working with us to set up a workshop of your own with your peers or students. Fill out the interest form to participate or facilitate: https://tinyurl.com/FORUMS-sign-up

UW-Madison School of Human Ecology Urban Rural Action

09/02/2026

Mary Beth Collins, executive director of the Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies, recently spoke with CBS 58 Milwaukee about the state of civic engagement in Wisconsin. While Wisconsin continues to have strong voter turnout, Collins points to a concerning trend— volunteerism has declined significantly since the pandemic.

She also notes that people across political differences often find common ground when talking about specific issues. This is a reminder that shared concerns can create opportunities for connection and community:

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- How civically engaged are you? Well according to a study by UW-Madison, being civically engaged means more than just going to the polls. The Center for Community and Nonprofit

08/28/2026

Congratulations to Associate Professor in Consumer Science Megan Doherty Bea who received funding via the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) Igniting Interdisciplinary Innovation initiative, as part of an interdisciplinary team with University of Wisconsin-Madison faculty in risk and insurance, sociology and environmental studies.

To understand how flooding affects household expenditures, Bea and the team will link high-resolution flooding data to near-real-time consumption data. Findings will be used to inform insurance pricing and disaster aid. The project aims to position UW–Madison as a leader in climate finance innovation: https://research.wisc.edu/uncategorized/2026/07/27/insuring-disaster-developing-high-resolution-models-of-the-economic-consequences-of-disasters-to-improve-insurance-pricing/

08/27/2026

What makes vintage shopping more than just thrifting? In a new Isthmus article, Professor Emerit Beverly Gordon, who spent her career studying material culture, textiles and fashion, explains that vintage clothing carries a context and story that mass-produced clothing often doesn’t. She also points to the excitement of the hunt and the appeal of finding something truly unique:

Vintage shops are more popular than ever in Madison. Vintage clothes have history, context and panache, different from current mass-produced fast fashion.

08/26/2026

Congratulations to Professor of Human Development & Family Studies Julie Poehlmann for being elected as a fellow in the American Psychological Association. This status is awarded in part based on evaluated evidence of outstanding contribution in the field of psychology.

This means that Poehlmann’s research, outreach and policy work has had an impact on and advanced the field of child, youth and family policy and practice on a national and international scale.

08/25/2026

How can Harley-Davidson attract the next generation of brand loyalists? This was the challenge extended to five Human Ecology students through a collaboration with the iconic, Wisconsin-based company and the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Human Ecology Kohl’s Center for Retailing.

With mentorship from alumni, the students worked as consultants—conducting consumer and market research and developing brand positioning. One stand-out pitch centered on a traveling, interactive pop-up experience called “The Harley-Davidson University Tour.” A semi truck would be transformed into a custom merchandise store. Inside, college students could learn about key parts of a Harley-Davidson bike via a colorful diagram, along with historical touch points of the brand, bringing the iconic Harley-Davidson culture directly to younger audiences.

Read the feature story: https://humanecology.wisc.edu/human-ecology-students-help-harley-davidson-rev-up-the-next-generation-of-riders/

Congratulations to the brand consulting team, from left to right in the first photo: Eliana Feinstein '26, Consumer Behavior & Marketplace Studies; Clara Weeks '26, Interior Architecture; Bryn Dresselhuys 'x'27, Consumer Behavior & Marketplace Studies; Julia Dobson '26, Textiles & Fashion Design; and Ava Beydoun '26, Textiles & Fashion Design.


Wisconsin Alumni

08/24/2026

Come see the new exhibit "Harley-Davidson: Hitting the Road to Reach the Next Generation of Riders"—now open in the Ruth Davis Design Gallery window!

As part of the annual University of Wisconsin-Madison Kohl's Center for Retailing Brand Consulting Project, five Human Ecology students were prompted by the Wisconsin heritage motorcycle and lifestyle brand to evolve the current go-to-market plan so that it better aligns with Gen Z consumers. On view, with objects and images on loan from the Harley-Davidson Museum and Harley-Davidson Motor Company, is the outcome of this innovative collaboration between industry leaders and students: https://cdmc.wisc.edu/on-view/

Nancy M. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture
Harley-Davidson

08/20/2026

Congratulations to Amy Bertrand (right) and Hannah Hatlan-Atwell (left)—winners of the Outstanding Achievement Award and Collaborative Impact Award, respectively. The annual awards presented by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of Academic & Career Success celebrate the meaningful contributions leaders like Bertrand and Hatlan-Atwell have made in our campus community: https://oacs.wisc.edu/2026/05/14/2026-spring-celebration-awards-ceremony-recap/