Faculty Directory

Cy Keener is an Assistant Professor of Sculpture and Emerging Technology at the University of Maryland. He holds a Master of Fine Arts from Stanford University and a Master of Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. Keener’s work merges art, science, and technology, focusing on environmental phenomena and climate change. His research involves developing sensor technologies that document conditions in harsh environments like the Arctic. These efforts are part of his broader project to make environmental changes perceptible and comprehensible through data visualization. He collaborates with scientists to design, build and deploy instruments that gather climate data, contributing to both artistic and scientific fields. Keener's projects have been displayed in international venues, including the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. He has received multiple fellowships and awards, with funding support from the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research among others. In his educational initiatives, Keener has developed open-source, Arduino-based circuit boards for oceanographic data collection, which are used in educational settings to engage students in STEM. His work aims to raise awareness about climate change and encourage public engagement with scientific issues. Keener strives to bridge the gap between remote environmental phenomena and public perception, using his artistic skills to enhance scientific understanding and response to global climate challenges.