Research
The College of Communication and Fine Arts (CCFA) is a dynamic hub of research and community engagement, where faculty and students explore new ideas, challenge perspectives, and contribute to cultural and societal change. Through innovative scholarship and artistic inquiry, CCFA advances knowledge and creative expression. At the same time, our commitment to community engagement fosters meaningful collaborations with organizations, initiatives, and civic projects, creating lasting cultural impact. Whether through research or direct engagement, CCFA continually inspires new ways of thinking, creating, and connecting.
We love celebrating the incredible achievements of our CCFA community! Whether you're an alumnus making waves in your field, a student pushing creative boundaries, or a faculty or staff member shaping the future, we want to hear from you. Share your awards, promotions, nominations, groundbreaking research, publications, performances, exhibitions, and other professional or academic milestones with us. Your success is our story, and we can’t wait to showcase the talent and dedication that make CCFA extraordinary.
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Institutes
The College of Communication and Fine Arts is home to two interdisciplinary research institutes—the Institute for Arts and Health, which explores the role of the arts in well-being, and the Institute of Egyptian Art & Archaeology, a nationally recognized center for the study of ancient Egyptian culture.
The Institute for Arts and Health (IAH) is a leading center for research and community engagement at the intersection of the arts and health sciences. Bringing together artists, scientists, and community stakeholders, the IAH conducts transdisciplinary research and develops innovative interventions to improve individual, family, and community well-being. With a broad approach to health—including physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions—the Institute explores the transformative role of the arts in prevention, healing, and public health. Through pioneering work in complementary and integrative health, neuroarts, creative and expressive arts therapies, arts in community health, and medical humanities, the IAH advances knowledge and practice to improve quality of life, particularly for underserved populations facing disproportionate health challenges. Learn More >
The Institute of Egyptian Art & Archaeology (IEAA) at the University of Memphis is a leading center for research, preservation, and community engagement in Egyptology. As a Tennessee Center of Excellence, the IEAA advances scholarship through interdisciplinary research, academic instruction, and fieldwork, supporting faculty and student excavations in Egypt. It stewards an extensive Egyptology library and a collection of over 1,400 Egyptian antiquities—the only such collection in the Mid-South—housed in the Art Museum of the University of Memphis. Through exhibitions, guided tours, lectures, and outreach programs, the IEAA makes Egyptian art and archaeology accessible to scholars, students, and the public. Committed to education and cultural preservation, the Institute bridges academic research with community engagement, fostering a deeper understanding of ancient Egyptian civilization. Learn More >
Spotlight
UofM Professor Heads to the Arctic Circle for Expedition Residency
For as long as she can remember, Lisa Williamson has had a passion for two things:
water and art. Over the course of her personal and professional life, most recently
at the University of Memphis, she’s found meaningful ways to merge the two. After
earning her Master of Fine Arts from Memphis College of Art in 2015, she pursued residencies
in tropical locations like Puerto Rico. Though she didn’t grow up a strong swimmer,
she later discovered a love for open water swimming.
“That was another way to be in the water and practice my art,” Williamson said. “I’m snorkeling and trying to stay in place, drawing coral reefs and aquatic life. I most recently was watching an octopus, following it underwater for a bit.”
Williamson joined the University of Memphis in 2017 and is currently an assistant professor of practice, foundations in the Department of Art and Design within the College of Communication and Fine Arts (CCFA). Today, she sets off on a more research-driven approach to her dual passions, boarding a ship to participate in the Arctic Circle Expedition Residency near Svalbard, Norway, no snorkels needed.
Joining 28 others from across the world—scientists, architects, educators, and artists— Williamson will spend two weeks aboard an arctic class schooner, sailing in 24/7 daylight–midnight sun–halfway between the northern coast of Norway and the North Pole. Since being accepted into this residency, Williamson has immersed herself in research, documentaries and even podcasts to prepare for the region’s extreme climate and better understand how Arctic changes affect regions like the Mid-South.
“Thinking about how fast water is melting, what that’s doing to the rising oceans, the super cells of storms that are being formed now and what happens to our coastlines as a result; even how it affects the Mississippi River,” Williamson said. “When we experienced a drought a few years ago, that’s directly linked to what’s happening in the Arctic Circle.”
With no internet or cell service during the expedition, Williamson is looking forward to a rare opportunity: uninterrupted time to reflect, create and explore. She plans to share her work and insights with her community upon returning.
She said, “The first thing that I’m going to do is immediately host an open studio where I will invite the public and, more specifically, my students.”
The Arctic Circle Expedition Residency was established in 2009, created to bring together international scholars for collaborative exploration of the region. Williamson’s exploration will run from April 16-May 2, and for her it will be more than an adventure. It will be a chance to translate scientific urgency into artistic expression, using her voice to help others see and feel the rapidly changing world around them.