Timothy Keane, PhD

Professor, Emeritus
Director of Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity
Landscape Architecture and Regional & Community Planning whisker@k-state.edu | Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Tim Keane has been a vital member of Kansas State University’s College of Architecture, Planning & Design (APDesign) since 1984, where he teaches in the Department of Landscape Architecture and the interdisciplinary Environmental Design and Planning Ph.D. Program. Over four decades of service, Keane has become known for his rigorous scholarship, dedication to teaching, and leadership in advancing research on natural systems and sustainable landscape practices.

Throughout his career, Keane has received numerous honors recognizing his excellence in teaching, research, and creative work. His accolades include three Jarvis Endowed Chair positions, the USDA-CSREES Partnership Award for Mission Integration (2009), and the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) Excellence in Research and/or Creative Work Award. He has also been honored with the Kansas State University Professorial Performance Award and became the first faculty member in APDesign to be named a Distinguished Graduate Faculty Member at the university—one of K-State’s highest academic distinctions.

Keane’s research focuses on stream morphology, fluvial processes, and urban stormwater management, fields in which he has established an international reputation. His investigations have attracted more than $4.1 million in competitive research funding, supporting projects that integrate scientific inquiry with landscape architectural design. He has authored over twenty peer-reviewed publications, contributing significant advancements to understanding how human interventions interact with natural hydrological systems.

At Kansas State, Keane has developed an innovative series of Natural Systems and Fluvial Systems courses, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the physical processes that shape landscapes. These courses—rare in most design programs—blend scientific principles, field observation, and design application, equipping students with tools to address complex ecological challenges in urban and rural settings.

Keane earned his Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University, and both his Master’s and Doctorate in Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan. He continues to collaborate with leading fluvial geomorphologists and hydraulic engineers nationwide, advancing the integration of science and design in landscape architectural education and practice.