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AACSRE proudly celebrates 10 years of advancing signage research and education.
Over the past decade, we've supported cutting-edge scholarship, cultivated emerging talent, and built strong connections between academia and industry. Below, you'll find highlights from our journey—milestones, partnerships, and the impact we've made together over the past ten years.
Steven W. Kopp, PhD
President, AACSRE
Letter from the President​
“AACSRE celebrates its 10-year anniversary as a thought leader in signage research, bridging academia and industry through initiatives like the Interdisciplinary Journal of Signage & Wayfinding (IJSW), the Emerging Fellows Program, and our Online Video and Webinar Series. We mark this milestone with the opening of our first official office space in partnership with the American Sign Museum (ASM), a fitting home that honors the past and future of the signage community in Cincinnati. Over the past decade, we’ve advanced research, supported talent, and fostered meaningful dialogue across disciplines. As we look ahead, AACSRE remains committed to deepening its impact, expanding research, and strengthening connections between academia and practice.
We thank our supporters for being part of this journey and shaping the future of signage together."
Knowledge Creation
Preeminent Interdisciplinary Journal of Signage and Wayfinding
The IJSW is the preeminent academic journal of AACSRE. We publish only peer-reviewed, unbiased research stemming from some of the most renowned universities in the country, bridging the gap between a variety of academic disciplines and the signage industry. Across 15 journals, we have published over 93 articles from 138 different authors. The topics have ranged from digital signage, bilingual signs,
on-premise signage and more.
Talent Cultivation
Emerging Fellows Program
Our Emerging Fellows program recognizes and supports those who are creating innovative thinking in signage. Our mission is to support researchers from diverse disciplines in conducting research related to the societal benefits of on-premise signs. We have supported over 28 fellows with over $160,000 in grants and will continue to grow thought leadership for years to come.
Liaison Between Academics and Practice
Online Video Program
We are the hub of thought leadership and collaboration between academia and the sign industry. We work across disciplines to bridge the knowledge production, and dissemination across industry and academia. Most recently, we have rolled out our new Online Video Program allowing experts and thought leaders to share their thoughts, perspectives, and philosophies about signage across both academia and industry. We have over 20 videos to date and counting!
AACSRE's First Official Office Space
AACSRE is celebrating its first official office space and partnership with the American Sign Museum (ASM), a hub that embodies the rich legacy and vibrant future of the signage community in Cincinnati. This momentous occasion is made even more special as we celebrate the kick-off of our 10-year anniversary of AACSRE, founded November 2015.
Be on the lookout over the next few months for more details as we lead up to the 10-year celebration!
Our History
1994
SFCE (Signage Foundation for Communication Excellence) was established as an Indiana-based, state licensed non-profit to provide more comprehensive benefits to the sign industry.
2001
SFCE and ISA agree to change the knowledge base Legal, Planning, Appraising and Traffic Engineering, correcting inaccurate information on signs.
2005
SFI (Signage Foundation, Inc.) was incorporated as a national 501c (3). Founding members were Joe Rickman, Tom Allen and Steve Kieffer.
2010
SFI held the first National Signage Research and Education Conference (NSREC) in collaboration with the Colleges of Business and DAAP at the University of Cincinnati. NSREC was held annually through 2015 building a composite body of research on the STAR initiative. The STAR curriculum looked at the science of signage, the technology of signage, signage as art/advertising and the regulation of signage.
2014
Leaders in the sign industry and research universities framed the vision of providing multidisciplinary thought leadership for signage research and education.
2015
AACSRE was chartered as a national non-profit educational and research foundation.
2016
Inaugural issue of Journal released.
2017
Our first emerging fellows were awarded in 2017 and were Aparna and Eric Ragan.
2024
Launch of AACSRE's Online Video & Webinar Program.
2025
AACSRE 10 Year Celebration!