Kelley Lemon

Prof. Kelley Lemon is an Assistant Professor and MLA Program Co-Chair in the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She holds a Master of Architecture from UC Berkeley's College of Environmental Design (2007) and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from UIUC (2002, with honors). Her research explores Black agricultural and urban landscapes in Illinois, focusing on historical narratives, community engagement, and ecological processes to address public health and environmental justice. She employs archival work, interviews, mapping, and participatory design to uncover overlooked stories and reshape built environments. Recent work includes the Connections Across the Black Agricultural Landscape, supported by a 2022 Graham Foundation Grant. Teaching includes courses like LA 241 (Landform Design), LA 335 (Community Design Studio), and LA 533 (Advanced Community Design).

Research Interests: Lemon’s work emphasizes Black migration, land management practices, and the interplay between agriculture and health. She analyzes rural and urban landscapes through cartography and fieldwork, centering Black farmers’ experiences in commodity crop-dominated regions like Kankakee, Pulaski, and Alexander Counties, as well as East St. Louis. Her projects highlight environmental justice, sustainability, and materiality in design.

Grants & Awards:

• 2022 Graham Foundation Grant for Connections Across the Black Agricultural Landscape

Teaching and Advising: Lemon teaches courses in landform design, community workshops, and landscape performance. Her studios integrate vertical design approaches with advocacy and policy frameworks. She advises projects in landscape history, green infrastructure, and health-focused environments.

Labs/Teams: Engaged in collaborative projects with the Landscape Architecture Foundation and local communities, particularly in East St. Louis, to develop narratives through cartography and site construction strategies. Her work bridges academic research with practical design solutions.