Posted on March 6, 2026
Post categories: Architecture Climate Faculty News Research
Professor Kate Simonen, FAIA, SE, of the University of Washington College of Built Environments has been selected for the inaugural cohort of the UW Office of Research’s Research Impact Advocates program. The pilot program supports researchers who want to engage more effectively with the public about their work and its broader impacts.
The Research Impact Advocates program was created to help close the gap between academic research and public understanding. While scholarly communication among researchers remains essential, the UW Office of Research is expanding opportunities for faculty to share how their work benefits communities, informs policy and contributes to the public good.
Simonen is among 20 participants selected for the inaugural cohort in November 2025. The group represents 13 colleges and schools across all three UW campuses and includes researchers at multiple stages of their careers.
A professor of architecture, Simonen leads interdisciplinary research focused on the environmental impact of building materials and construction. She is the founder of the Life Cycle Lab at UW, where her work advances life cycle assessment methods that provide science-based data for policymakers, designers and industry leaders. She is widely recognized for her leadership in reducing embodied carbon, the greenhouse gas emissions associated with building materials. Through her research and collaborations across industry and policy sectors, she works to improve how materials are specified, procured and managed throughout their life cycle.
Simonen’s selection reflects the growing importance of connecting research on the built environment with public conversations about climate action, materials innovation and the future of sustainable building.