Kim Beckmann

Background

About Kim Beckmann

A UW-Milwaukee Lubar Entrepreneurship Center Innovations Teaching Fellow since 2016 and two times graduate from Stanford University d.School Teaching Learning Studio, and Kim Beckmann's current research focuses on design cartography. Since 2015 she has served as a creative director and designer on the UWM Freshwater Sciences Fish Habitat mapping research team lead by P.I. Professor John Janssen to provide information necessary to maximize the effectiveness of habitat development in the Milwaukee Harbor and adjoining rivers. Supported by a grant from Fund for Lake Michigan and in consultation with the Milwaukee Estuary AOC Fish and Wildlife Technical Advisory Committee and Harbor District Inc. and others, the team assessed findings of existing fish forage and spawning habitat and developed maps informing strategic development for Milwaukee Harbor and conjoining waterways. Beckmann's collaboration with the team resulted in significant data visualizations of pertinent research stories to support ecological restoration projects and recreation, while maintaining vital economic activities such as shipping and neighborhood development efforts. In 2018, the team expanded this research and design cartography with support by a grant from Fund for Lake Michigan to map western Lake Michigan coastal harbors: Port Washington, Sheyboygan, Manitowoc, and Two Rivers. Kim Beckmann retired from teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in September 2023 to focus on her design and creative practice. She is currently Emerita Faculty in the College of Art and Architecture, Department of Art and Design.