We are days away from the inaugural 2026 CAPPA Forum: Research & Creative Works Symposium on March 3, 2026, a full day celebrating innovation, scholarship, and creative inquiry! Hosted throughout the CAPPA Building, this annual event brings together students, faculty, and guests to explore this year’s theme, Designing the Future Metropolis, and to imagine bold, interdisciplinary responses to the challenges shaping our cities and communities.

The symposium will feature a welcome address by UTA Provost Dr. Tamara Brown and CAPPA Dean Dr. Ming-Han Li at 9:00 am, followed by morning and afternoon sessions with student and faculty presentations showcasing research, design investigations, and creative works from across the college. Attendees will also gather for an expert panel discussion featuring Prof. Blaine Brownell (UNC Charlotte), Elaine Kearney, FASLA (TBG Partners), and Dr. Wayne Atchley, VP of Regional Campuses (UTA), offering a perspective on the evolving role of research and creative practice in shaping the metropolitan future. The event will conclude with closing remarks from Dr. Kate C Miller, VP of Research and Innovation at UTA.

Faculty are encouraged to attend the symposium to support our colleagues and students, while attendance is required for all CAPPA students, as it will count toward their semester academic engagement. Check out the official webpage for the full list of abstracts for the day.

For any questions, please contact the Associate Dean, Dr. Karabi Bezboruah, at bezborua@uta.edu.

A major milestone in architectural culture is celebrated with the publication of An Architecture of Representation: Essays and Drawings Across 50 Years of the Ken Roberts Memorial Delineation Competition, marking the 50th anniversary of the internationally respected competition now known as KRob. Edited by Joshua M. Nason, Dean of the Hammons School of Architecture at Drury University and former associate professor in CAPPA, with contributions from Madalyn A. Melton and Ricardo A. Leon, the volume brings together 42 original essays and award-winning drawings spanning five decades.

An Architecture of Representation highlights drawing and making as central to architectural practice. Through historical accounts and critical perspectives, the essays trace the competition's history and key contributors, underscoring the significance of representation as a creative and cultural force. This archive documents the evolution of award-winning drawings, celebrating KRob as a vital annual platform for talent, ideas, and architectural experimentation.

This book includes contributions from a broad group of CAPPA faculty, students, and alumni, including Don Gatzke, Brad McCorkle, John Maruszczak, Steve Quevedo, Tom Rusher, Michael Malone, Ricardo Leon, Liliana Morales, Madalyn Melton, George Gintole, and many others.

Extended Deadline: Call for 2026 CAPPA Faculty & Staff Awards

CAPPA invites nominations for full-time faculty who demonstrate sustained excellence in multiple areas, including teaching/advising, research/creative activity, service, teamwork, leadership, client relations, and initiative while employed at UTA. Each award includes a $750 monetary award and a Certificate of Recognition. Awardees will be recognized in April during the college’s spring-semester meeting.

Complete applications must be emailed to Associate Dean Karabi Bezboruah (bezborua@uta.edu) by 5:00 p.m. on March 6, 2026.

Faculty Awards:

Call for Proposals for Fall 2026 CAPPA Research/Creative Works Grants

Please click on the Grant Proposal Template to download the proposal outline.

Deadline for submissions: Friday, April 17th, 2026, at 5 pm. 
Award Notices: June 1st, 2026
Research/ Projects Begin: August 2026

Opportunity 1: Geisel Grants for Community Impact 

CAPPA aims to advance Dr. Geisel’s vision by encouraging continued community engagement by our students and faculty in addressing challenging issues that impact our local and regional communities, particularly those affecting underserved communities. Projects may include, but are not limited to, providing technical assistance; engaging in community design work to address a specific issue (flooding, housing, parks, etc.); or developing plans identified by the community to resolve a particular need (zoning, economic revitalization, historic preservation, etc.)

Opportunity 2: Geisel Fort Worth Urban & Community Design Mini Studio

The purpose of this interdisciplinary "mini-studio" opportunity through the Geisel Grant is to encourage community-engaged research by faculty and students to address challenging issues affecting our local and regional communities. We would like to invite proposals for Interdisciplinary Studio ideas to be offered as a 3-credit-hour elective course over 16 weeks during the Fall 2026 semester. This course will be held at the UTA Fort Worth Center. 

Opportunity 3: Dean’s Interdisciplinary Initiative 

The purpose of the Dean's Interdisciplinary Initiative is to promote CAPPA's interdisciplinary collaboration in research and creative ideas. We are seeking bold ideas that align with our mission and leverage the unique strengths of our interdisciplinary community. This year, up to two grants will be awarded to CAPPA faculty members to support interdisciplinary, innovative projects with the potential to pursue external funding and to enhance the College's academic offerings, community engagement, and financial sustainability. The awards can be used to pay for students' hourly wages, travel, data inquiry, event production, outreach, faculty salary, or faculty travel.

Examples of initiatives this grant aims to support:

Ignite Creativity in Your Teaching with CRTLE!

CAPPA faculty shape how communities are designed, governed, and experienced. This year's CRTLE Programming collaborative lineup offers tools to enhance studio‑based teaching and support interdisciplinary learning. We hope you will join us for future engaging sessions to spark new ideas and continue fostering creativity, innovation, and excellence in CAPPA classrooms.

Explore the full schedule and register for future sessions in March: Click here 

Questions? Email CRTLE at: CRTLE@uta.edu and visit our web page at: CRTLE - The University of Texas at Arlington.

March Data Workshops at the Library

These workshops are scheduled for March in the Day Family Research Lab (DFRL) - Central Library, 5th floor:

DFRL hosts workshops on quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods analysis, evidence synthesis, and visualization & mapping using software such as Power BI, ArcGIS Pro, R, and NVivo. Follow their calendar of workshops to stay updated.

LAND8x8 – Lightning Talks: Dallas
Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 7 - 9:30 PM

Proudly hosted by LAND8: Landscape Architects Network, USA SHADE, Texas ASLA, and the Landscape Architecture program at CAPPA, the LAND8x8 – Lightning Talks: Dallas event will feature eight speakers, each presenting for eight minutes, united by one electrifying theme: "Disruptive Design in Landscape Architecture."

It's a dynamic evening where designers, thinkers, and innovators share how new ideas, emerging challenges, and creative visions are reshaping the profession's future.

5th Interior Design Sustainable Design Expo
Friday, March 6, 2026, from 9 AM - 2 PM

The Interior Design program at CAPPA is thrilled to present their 5th Annual Sustainable Design Expo. This event will feature sustainable exhibits, networking opportunities, and a keynote address by David Cordell (FASID, NCIDQ, LEED AP, WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador) from Perkins&Will.

The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has named Dr. Malini Roy, Assistant Professor of Urban Planning, as one of eighty-one of the nation’s most promising young researchers chosen to participate in the National Academy of Sciences’ 2026 U.S. and International Frontiers of Science Symposia. This honor places her among a select group of scientists under 45 recognized for exceptional research contributions across disciplines ranging from engineering and climate science to space science and public policy. Read more.

Led by Dr. Ariadna Reyes-Sánchez and co-led by Dr. Malini Roy, their project "Disaster Preparedness in Peripheral Unincorporated Communities: A Case Study in the Freedom Colony of Sand Branch" has been selected as one of the awardees of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy's recent Request for Proposals (RFP) on Heirs Property and Disaster Relief and Preparedness.

The project will develop a comprehensive roadmap for disaster preparedness focused on heirs properties in underserved, unincorporated communities in Dallas County. Read more.

Advancing Equitable Bridge Maintenance Through AI and Risk Modeling

We are proud to congratulate Dr. Mahmoud Bayat, Assistant Professor of Architecture, and Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Public Affairs (UPPP) alum, Dr. Shubham Kharel, on the publication of their latest paper, "Equitable Prioritization of Off-System Bridge Maintenance under Tornado Risk Using Inspection Data and Digital Shadows."

This work presents an AI-driven, data-informed framework that integrates bridge inspection data, tornado risk modeling, and digital shadow concepts to support equitable, risk-informed maintenance prioritization for off-system bridges.

Design Meets AI In CAPPA’s New Lab

At UTA, research and innovation are shaping how students learn and how emerging technologies are explored.

The latest example is a new immersive artificial intelligence research lab in CAPPA that will unite AI-driven architecture design, immersive visualization of AI-generated images and videos, and robotics to support both research and teaching.

Led by Dr. Shermeen Yousif, Associate Professor of Architecture and internationally recognized researcher in AI and design, and a RISE 100 hire, the Performative AI Lab will combine a curved high-resolution LED visualization wall with a programmable robotic arm. Read more.

Adjunct Assistant Professor Finds Growth, Healing Through Urban Farming

"Being able to farm and get fresh produce to our community, educate people how to grow food, how to eat healthy, and then building around the farm, that's our way of serving our community and our country," said U.S. Marine veteran and Adjunct Assistant Professor Steven Nunez. 

He and his wife now tend their urban farm, "Mind Your Garden," in Fort Worth, and focus on sharing that reward with their community. Read more.

CAPPA Research Funding Proposal Budget Review Form

Beginning January 1, 2026, there is an updated UTA proposal submission deadlines as well as CAPPA’s internal grant budget proposal review policy, which applies to all individuals serving as PIs and Co‑PIs. For more details, see HERE. 

UTA Proposal Submission Deadlines:

CAPPA Grant Budget Proposal Review Requirement:

This is a reminder that CAPPA has an internal budget review policy that must be followed before faculty adhere to the OGCS submission deadlines.

All PIs and Co‑PIs submitting a grant proposal must:

Join the Center for Research on Teaching and Learning Excellence in Trinity Hall 105 on March 4, 2026, for an interactive workshop focused on creating learning environments that support student belonging, engagement, and academic success. Participants will explore inclusive teaching strategies for in-person, online, and hybrid courses, reflect on how personal identities shape teaching approaches, and learn practical techniques for building community and affirming students’ sense of belonging.

Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees. Registration now.

UTA Libraries is excited to announce the campuswide introduction of LibKey Nomad. This extension brings UTA Libraries' collections directly into web-browsing. LibKey Nomad makes research faster and more accessible for faculty, staff, and students by providing links to articles and e-books available through UTA Libraries or open access while browsing online.

For full details, installation instructions, and FAQs, visit the UTA Libraries' LibKey information page.

As we approach the launch of the UTShare Time and Absence Management system on Monday, March 2, training is available to help employees and timekeepers prepare.

The Timekeeping courses are available in Canvas for all employees, and are strongly encouraged to be completed by Monday, March 2. Timekeepers, click here to register for instructor-led Timekeeper training. This will be required for Timekeepers to get access to review and adjust time entries. 

If you are trying to fix or mitigate accessibility issues with your own content, please review the Accessibility Resource Toolkit for assistance. If you received the content from another source, you may need to work with that source to fix or mitigate the accessibility issues. Also, if you originally received a PDF from the Library and it has not been updated, you will want to work with your Library resources to obtain a newer version of the material. Should you have additional questions, contact accessibility@uta.edu.

Join Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at the UTA planetarium for Mindful Moments Under the Stars on Wednesdays, 12:15 -12:45 p.m., starting Wednesday, January 28th- April 22nd. Mindful Moments Under the Stars is open to all UTA students, faculty, and staff. No registration is required.

To request accommodations, contact CAPS at (817) 272-3671 or email caps@uta.edu. Please submit a request for accommodations at least 5 business days before the event.  

Mar 3 (All Day)
CAPPA Forum: Research & Creative Works Symposium
CAPPA 2nd and 3rd Floors, Gallery and Auditorium

Mar 4 (7:00 PM – 9:30 PM)
LARC / ASLA Speakers Event - LAND8x8
CAPPA Gallery

Mar 5-6 (All Day)
Master of Public Administration Accreditation Site Visit
CAPPA Building

Mar 6 (8:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
Interior Design Sustainable Design Expo
CAPPA Gallery

April 1 (4:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Lecture: Hereñu + Ferroni Arquitectos – Pablo Hereñu
CAPPA 204

April 2 (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
Master of City and Regional Planning 50th Anniversary Speaker Event
CAPPA Gallery

Visit our CAPPA Events SharePoint to view more events curated for faculty

Do you have news, publications, research, awards, and announcements to SHARE? Fill out the form below!

Karabi Bezboruah, Ph.D., Professor and Associate Dean for Faculty Success and Research

601 W. Nedderman Drive, Suite 203 • Arlington, TX 76019-0108 • 817.272.2801
© 2026 The University of Texas at Arlington. All rights reserved.