University of Kentucky Professors Awarded Prestigious MacArthur Fellowships

Lexington, Kentucky – Two professors with ties to the University of Kentucky have been awarded the prestigious MacArthur fellowships, commonly referred to as the “genius grant.” Loka Ashwood, an associate professor of sociology, and Ebony G. Patterson, a multimedia artist and former UK faculty member, are among the 22 recipients recognized this year.

The MacArthur Foundation grants come with an $800,000 stipend distributed over five years and are designed to support individuals in various fields of work. Each fellow is anonymously nominated and notified at the conclusion of the selection process.

On a routine bike ride to her office, Ashwood, 39, received multiple unexpected calls from a Chicago area number. Initially unsure of the number’s significance, she later answered and discovered she had been honored with the fellowship. “I was just utterly shocked,” Ashwood reflected. “I’ve never been so shocked about something good in my life before.”

Ashwood’s research focuses on rural identity and culture, as well as the economic and social challenges faced by rural communities. She expressed gratitude towards her community and fellow researchers for their support, emphasizing, “It’s really about my community.” Ashwood hopes to utilize her grant to facilitate greater access to funding for research and community needs. “I feel like this is a tool that I can help do that,” she stated.

Patterson, originally from Jamaica, has seen her work displayed internationally, as well as locally in Louisville and Lexington. She previously taught at UK for roughly a decade starting in 2007. Her art addresses complex themes including visibility, beauty, race, class, violence, mourning, and regeneration. Patterson could not be reached for immediate comment regarding her fellowship win.

Ashwood and Patterson’s awards reflect a recognition of their significant contributions in their respective fields. The fellowships not only provide financial support but also aim to draw attention to vital cultural and social research efforts.