The University Design Research Fellows (UDRF) were selected through a national, open call competition for full-time university professors whose work is deeply rooted in design research. Professors were asked to respond to recommendations from the 2021 Downtown Activation Study developed by James Lima Planning and Development (JLP+D) that looked at ways to activate the historic core of downtown Columbus. JLP+D’s work is supported by the City of Columbus and a National Endowment for the Arts “Our Town Grant”.