Darshak Patel, an Indian American professor in the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics, is one of 10 recipients of UK’s 2026 Outstanding Teaching Awards recognizing faculty and graduate teaching assistants who demonstrate special dedication to student achievement.
For Patel, Director of Undergraduate Studies at the Gatton College of Business and Economics, teaching is about helping students make sense of the world around them, says UKNow.
Through economics, he encourages students to explore the real-world decisions that shape communities, businesses and public policy, it says. By connecting classroom concepts to everyday challenges, Patel works to equip students with the tools to think critically, evaluate information and make evidence-based decisions.
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“Receiving the Outstanding Teaching Award is both an incredible honor and a deeply humbling experience,” he told the university newspaper. “Teaching has always been the most meaningful part of my academic career, and this recognition reflects the many students, colleagues and mentors who have influenced my journey.”
“It is especially meaningful because so much of my work has focused on creating opportunities that extend beyond the classroom, from study abroad programs and the Econ Games to mentoring and experiential learning initiatives,” he said.
“This award serves as both a celebration of that work and a reminder of the responsibility we have as educators to continue innovating and investing in our students’ success,” said Patel.
“My area of expertise is helping students understand how economics can make sense of the world around them,” he told UKNow when asked why his work is important right now. “At its core, economics is about telling stories, using data, incentives and human behavior to explain why people, businesses and governments make the choices they do.”
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“Whether examining rising food prices, interest rates, immigration policy or local investment decisions, economics helps us understand the tradeoffs, spillover effects and likely outcomes of those choices,” he said.“I want students to see that economics is not just graphs and models — it’s a tool for making better decisions and creating value in their careers, communities and personal lives.”
“That work is especially important today because we are surrounded by more information than ever, and economics provides a framework for separating signal from noise and making thoughtful, evidence-based decisions.”
Asked about core principles guiding his approach to teaching, Patel said, “My teaching is guided by three core principles: relevance, engagement and relationships. Students learn best when they can connect classroom concepts to their own lives, actively participate in the learning process and know their instructor genuinely cares about their success.”
Patel has PhD and MS degrees from the University of Kentucky and MA and BA degrees from the University of Texas at Arlington.