News
Check out the article below featuring Appalachian Studies Program Director, Prof. Jennifer Cramer, discussing her work as a Chellgren Endowed Professor.
By Ryan Girves
Jennifer Cramer, professor of linguistics in the UK College of Arts and Sciences, used her Chellgren Endowed Professorship to redesign a high-enrollment course for undergraduate students. Photo provided.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 10, 2026) — For Jennifer Cramer, Ph.D., language has always been more than a subject of study; it is a lens through which people understand identity, community and belonging. As a professor of linguistics in the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences, Cramer has spent her career helping students see
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 29, 2026) — Applications are now open for awards and funding opportunities offered by the University of Kentucky Appalachian Center and Appalachian Studies program. These opportunities are open to any student participating in work and research in the Appalachian region.
Graduate students are eligible to apply for the James S. Brown Graduate Student Award for Research on Appalachia, and both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply for the Eller & Billings Student Research Award. These awards support student research in/
By Richard LeComte
Shaunna Scott, left, and Kathryn Engle, editors of "Toward Just Transitions."LEXINGTON, KY. -- A new book edited by University of Kentucky faculty offers hope, in a variety of ways, to the people of a post-coal and deindustrialized Appalachia.
“Toward Just Transitions: Visions for Regenerative Communities in Appalachia,” published by the University Press of Kentucky, tackles such issues as food, health, race and philanthropy in a series of essays.
“The Just Transition movement has to do with the decline of coal mining and other sorts of natural resource-producing, energy-producing and exporting industries," said Shaunna Scott, Ph.D., emerita associate professor of sociology in UK's College of Arts and Sciences co-editor of the
Check out this article published in the Nov. 24, 2025 UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment news featuring Appalachian Studies Program faculty affiliate Julie N. Zimmerman.
Ripples of impact: UK rural sociologist honored with two career awardsJulie N. Zimmerman was honored by the Rural Sociological Society and by the Kentucky Association of State Extension Professionals.
Julie N. Zimmerman is the Dr. and Mrs. C. Milton Coughenour Professor of Rural Sociology. Photo by Sabrina Hounshell. By Bailey VandiverLEXINGTON, Ky. — As Julie N. Zimmerman’s colleagues at the Rural Sociological Society (RSS) gave her a standing ovation, she counted to five before speaking.
Abigail Mack
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 21, 2025) — The University of Kentucky Appalachian Center and the UK Graduate Appalachian Research Community invite undergraduate and graduate students from all majors to submit proposals for the 15th annual Appalachian Research Symposium & Arts Showcase.
The showcase is Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in the Healthy Kentucky Research Building first-floor atrium.
This year’s theme — “Interdependent Possibilities: Cultures of Care, Practices of Place-Making” — encourages participants to explore how care, community and place interrelate across disciplines and everyday lives.
“We
Check out this article published in the October 31, 2025 edition of UKNOW featuring 2022 UK Appalachian Center Eller & Billings Student Research Award recipient Sarah Tomke.
By Jordan Strickler
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 31, 2025) — A new University of Kentucky study used environmental DNA (eDNA) to search 90 sites across 73 rivers for Eastern hellbenders — large, secretive salamanders nicknamed “snot otters” and “lasagna lizards” for their mucous secretions and the skin folds that help them breathe.
Now, a UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) study published in Freshwater Biology reveals a correlation
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 29, 2025) — The University of Kentucky Appalachian Center and Appalachian Studies program is once again highlighting the research and creative scholarship of students and faculty through the annual Sharing Work on Appalachia in Progress series.
SWAP encourages collaboration across disciplines, fostering dialogue among researchers, students and community members. By featuring ongoing projects, the series highlights the breadth of inquiry taking place at UK and its continued commitment to understanding and supporting Appalachia.
This year’s SWAP series will feature presentations running from Fall 2025 through Spring ’26, spotlighting recipients of the James S. Brown Graduate Student Award
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 30, 2025) — Kentucky NSF EPSCoR’s CLIMBS project will hold a screening of two documentaries that show how communities have endured weather-related catastrophes and the ongoing work to be better prepared for future disasters.
Climate Resilience through Multidisciplinary Big Data Learning, Prediction & Building Response Systems seeks to advance Kentucky’s climate resiliency by bringing together researchers across the state to address this issue.
“CLIMBS - Kentucky Climate Resilience - The Documentary” highlights the effort from more than 50 multidisciplinary researchers from eight universities and colleges across Kentucky.
“All Is Not
This article was published in the June 27 edition of UKNOW
The 2025 Outstanding Teaching Awards: Zada Komara By Tom Musgrave June 27, 2025 Zada Komara, Ph.D., is a Senior Lewis Lecturer in the Lewis Honors College. Carter Skaggs | UK Photo Zada Komara, Ph.D., is a Senior Lewis Lecturer in the Lewis Honors College. Carter Skaggs | UK PhotoEach Friday this summer, UKNow is highlighting one of the winners of the University of Kentucky’s 2025 Outstanding Teaching Awards, given by the Office for Faculty Advancement with the Office of the Provost.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 27, 2025) — Zada Komara, Ph.D., a Senior
This article was published in the June 30 edition of UKNOW.
By Lindsay Travis
Photo provided by Kevin Puckett.
Photo provided by Kevin Puckett.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 30, 2025) — Kentucky NSF EPSCoR’s CLIMBS project will hold a screening of two documentaries that show how communities have endured weather-related catastrophes and the ongoing work to be better prepared for future disasters.
Climate Resilience through Multidisciplinary Big Data Learning, Prediction & Building Response Systems (CLIMBS) seeks to advance Kentucky’s climate resiliency by
This article was published in the June 18 edition of UKNOW.
By Dana Cox and Rosa Mejia-Cruz After nearly 40 years as a practicing pharmacist, Jan Brandenburg has published “The Modern Mountain Cookbook: A Plant-Based Celebration of Appalachia.” Photos provided. After nearly 40 years as a practicing pharmacist, Jan Brandenburg has published “The Modern Mountain Cookbook: A Plant-Based Celebration of Appalachia.” Photos provided.LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 17, 2025) — It all started with a classic childhood toy.
This article was published in the May 12 edition of UKNOW.
By Haley Simpkins
An onlooker observes “Continuous Recovery” on display at the “Time Space Existence” exhibition in Venice, Italy. Photo by Rebekah Radtke.
An onlooker observes “Continuous Recovery” on display at the “Time Space Existence” exhibition in Venice, Italy. Photo by Rebekah Radtke.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 14, 2025) — Jeff Fugate, associate professor in the University of Kentucky College of Design’s School of Architecture, and Rebekah Radtke, associate professor in the School of Interiors, have been selected to exhibit their work on
By Kevin Puckett
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The 2025 Graduate Appalachian Research Community Symposium, hosted by the University of Kentucky Appalachian Center on March 8, brought together scholars and researchers from UK and the region to discuss issues in Appalachia. This year’s theme, "Insider/Outsider," connected history, culture, science and art to exemplify Appalachia’s past, present and future.
One of the panels at the symposium was “Disaster Perspectives in Appalachia” and featured three CLIMBS participants. The session explored questions about disaster perspectives in Appalachia, sharing and communicating research data and connecting with the community. The panel also included a session to discuss research reciprocity and receive feedback from the Appalachian scholar community.
Kevin Puckett, KY NSF EPSCoR’s communication strategist, moderated the panel and
By Alexis Baker March 10, 2025
This article was published March 10, 2025 in UKNOW.
RPLP students Alex Willett, left, and Bradley Firchow helped create the Caring for Appalachians Through Service (CATS) Clinic in Morehead, Kentucky. Hilary Brown | UK Photo
The CATS Clinic is run in partnership with the Gateway Homeless Coalition in Morehead. Hilary Brown | UK Photo
The clinic allows vulnerable populations, including those unhoused, to see a physician for free, 7-9 p.m. every Wednesday. Hilary Brown | UK Photo
The students, alongside a volunteer physician, perform physical exams, glucose and A1C checks, lipid
By Manuela Blanco Suarez and Tom Musgrave
UK’s Maddie Duff, left, and Elizabeth King are representing Kentucky as Derby Festival Princesses in the 2025 Royal Court Program. Photo by Marvin Young for the Kentucky Derby Festival.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 14, 2025) — Two University of Kentucky students are playing major roles in the traditions leading up to the Kentucky Derby.
Maddie Duff, a Lewis Honors College senior majoring in neuroscience and Appalachian studies, and Elizabeth King, a senior Presidential Scholar majoring in finance and music performance, were selected as
By Allison Jones Wednesday
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 5, 2025) — The University of Kentucky Appalachian Center is showcasing work of student and faculty researchers through its Sharing Work on Appalachia in Progress (SWAP) series.
Many of the presenters are recipients of the 2024 James S. Brown Graduate Student Award for Research on Appalachia and the UK Appalachian Center Eller & Billings Student Research Award.
The series will also highlight other scholars and students sharing their research. The presenters range from students at UK to international researchers.
The presentations will be noon-1:30
By Makenna Deaton Dec. 20, 2024
Update: Abstract submissions will now be accepted until 5 p.m. Feb. 7. The submission form is online here.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 20, 2024) — The University of Kentucky’s Graduate Appalachian Research Community (GARC) invites students, researchers, artists and others to attend the 2025 UK Appalachian Research Symposium and Arts Showcase.
By Allison Jones Monday
ApppalachiaCorps connects students with organizations in Eastern Kentucky and the greater Appalachian region, providing them a summer internship opportunity concentrating on their career goals.
ApppalachiaCorps connects students with organizations in Eastern Kentucky and the greater Appalachian region, providing them a summer internship opportunity
By Shannon Markel and Jenny Wells-Hosley Thursday
Update: Applications for the student awards has been extended to Friday, Feb. 14.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 12, 2024) — Applications are open for awards and funding opportunities offered by the University of Kentucky Appalachian Center and Appalachian Studies program. These opportunities are open to any student participating in work and research in the Appalachian region.
Graduate students are eligible to apply for the James S. Brown Graduate Student Award for Research on Appalachia, and both undergraduate and graduate
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 7, 2024) — The places we live in impact people’s lives in so many ways: they determine networks of friends and coworkers, what resources and opportunities are available, the quality of schools, a sense of security and belonging and even how long people live. Yet too many of live in areas plagued by rising crime, school violence, family disintegration, addiction, alienation and despair. Even the wealthiest neighborhoods are not immune; while poverty exacerbates these challenges, they exist in ZIP codes rich and poor, rural and urban and everything in between.
The University of Kentucky Lewis Honors College, the Gatton College of Business and