Circular Futures Lab

Projects

About

Research

The Circular Futures Lab at the University of California, Davis, directed by Prof. Beth Ferguson unites disciplines to champion circular design for a climate resilient future. Our research focus is on sustainable design, clean energy, active mobility and material innovation. We develop design systems and prototypes through interdisciplinary collaboration and civic engagement. Specializing in circular design, we rethink production systems to eliminate waste, extend lifecycles, and regenerate ecosystems. Our projects include digital craft, sustainable materials, and hands-on experimentation across material libraries, exhibitions, and prototypes. Through solar placemaking and active mobility innovation, we transform climate resilience and circularity into lived design experiences.

Prof. Beth Ferguson, Director
Associate Professor
Department of Design
University of California, Davis
bferguson@ucdavis.edu

Prof. Beth Ferguson is an ecological designer whose work integrates solar engineering, active mobility, digital craft and sustainable materials to advance climate resilience and reduce carbon emissions. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Design at the University of California Davis, where she directs the Circular Futures Lab. Her projects have been exhibited internationally at Ars Electronica, Dutch Design Week, Otago Museum, and Centre d'Arts Santa Mònica, and nationally at SXSW, the ZERO1 Biennial, TEDxPresidio, and the Exploratorium. Her work has been featured in Fast Company, BBC News, The New York Times, Wired Italy, and Radio New Zealand. Ferguson has held residencies at the Autodesk Technology Center in San Francisco, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, and the American Arts Incubator in New Zealand.


Grad Student Affiliates
Ofelia Viloche Pulido
Nathalia Sousa Guimaraes
Jordan Blandino (former)
Magda Rojas Valdez (former)
Eldy Lazaro Vasquez (former)
Undergrad Student Affiliates
Lea Skille (former)
Leslie Valdez (former)
Sara Galvis (former)
Emma Smith (former)
Jovita Wattinema (former)
© Beth Ferguson, 2026