Featured news at KU


Our top featured stories

A gavel sits on a sound block while the scales of justice loom in the background.
In a new paper, Robert Rohrschneider, the Sir Robert Worcester Distinguished Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas, finds that populist citizens now judge constitutional courts that make decisions on controversial issues with the same skepticism as other political institutions. And their willingness to restrict its authority is increasing.

Other featured news

Nebula

New idea may crack enigma of the Crab Nebula’s ‘zebra’ pattern

A theoretical astrophysicist from the University of Kansas may have solved a nearly two-decade-old mystery over the origins of an unusual "zebra" pattern seen in high-frequency radio pulses from the Crab Nebula.
An image of a student raising his hand in a classroom.

New book aims to guide qualitative researchers looking to better understand the college student experience

A University of Kansas researcher's new work provides guidance, examples and considerations of how best to conduct qualitative research with college students, especially those from historically marginalized populations.
A pair of feet stand on pavement at crossroads marked by painted white arrows pointing in different directions

KU addiction center study explores how next-day responsibilities influence cannabis use

One sign of substance use disorder is continuing to use substances despite interference with responsibilities. However, previous research hadn’t examined why people may or may not reduce cannabis use before certain activities.
Illustration of brain-inspired advanced computing

Atomically thin memory resistors will optimize semiconductors for neuromorphic computing

A joint project between University of Kansas and University of Houston supported by $1.8 million from the National Science Foundation’s second Future of Semiconductor program (FuSe) will produce atomically tunable memory resistors, dubbed “memristors,” for brain-inspired advanced computing — while training workforce for the nation’s semiconductor industry.

Research



A University of Kansas researcher's new work provides guidance, examples and considerations of how best to conduct qualitative research with college students, especially those from historically marginalized populations.
One sign of substance use disorder is continuing to use substances despite interference with responsibilities. However, previous research hadn’t examined why people may or may not reduce cannabis use before certain activities.
Curvy lines representing a building-design idea, created by an artificial Intelligence platform.
A University of Kansas researcher and colleagues have written new work evaluating the creative potential of prompts and images in generative artificial intelligence for the new book “Design Computing and Cognition ’24.”

Kansas Communities



A new research center in the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare will elevate health-related research, training and collaboration. The Center for the Advancement of Health Equity is committed to improving health, behavioral health and long-term care systems, as well as promoting health equity and access.
The Kansas Statistical Abstract 2023 is now available online. This data compendium is published annually by the Institute for Policy & Social Research at KU. It includes information on a wide range of topics about Kansas, with information in downloadable tables, maps and graphs.
Wind farm in rural Kansas, clear sky
The Kansas Energy Transition Atlas is a GIS-powered website that gathers wind energy regulations for all of the state's 105 counties and allows users to find information including laws guiding development and the number of turbines and transmission lines in a county. Users can print their own detailed maps.

Economic Development



The woods can be a place of adventure and beauty, a peaceful escape for a walk. But among the leaves and grass, the threat of ticks can turn a hike into a health-altering encounter with Lyme disease. A recent $3 million Small Business Innovation Research award will fund the research and development of a vaccine to stop Lyme disease in its tracks.
Panasonic Energy and the University of Kansas today announced that they have signed an agreement aimed at promoting the development of next-generation technologies and the cultivation of specialist expertise in the field of lithium-ion batteries.
Photo of hands holding an Avium electrolyzer stack prototype
With $5 million in support from U.S. Department of Energy, the University of Kansas and Avium, a startup firm founded by researchers from KU’s School of Engineering, aim to make clean hydrogen more affordable.

Student experience and achievement



Both University of Kansas Army ROTC Ranger Challenge teams took first place at the 2024 Task Force Leavenworth Ranger Challenge competition at Fort Leavenworth, held Oct. 11-13.
"Good morning Indian Country," a Native student-led weekly news and information program in the William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications, is one of 205 local news outlets awarded funding from Press Forward. The grant will help GMIC grow its team and provide additional training for students.
Sam Kirk
Each year on Veterans Day, ROTC students participate in an honor guard vigil on Memorial Drive, along with other remembrance activities, such as laying wreaths at each of the veterans memorials on campus. Meet some of the Jayhawks participating in this tradition.

Campus news



The University of Kansas and Haskell Indian Nations University have renewed their long-standing memorandum of understanding on shared areas of interest.
Oscar-winning filmmaker Kevin Willmott has retired from active teaching after more than two decades on University of Kansas faculty. A film festival in February 2025 will screen some of his major works.
Top of Campanile in clouds.
With more than 1,700 international students from 116 countries and over 1,000 students participating in experiences abroad, the University of Kansas has much to celebrate during International Education Week.

Latest news

Curvy lines representing a building-design idea, created by an Artificial Intelligence platform.

Experiment shows human designers retain creative edge over AI

A University of Kansas researcher and colleagues have written new work evaluating the creative potential of prompts and images in generative artificial intelligence for the new book “Design Computing and Cognition ’24.”
Blake Hall close-up on north wall

Join the Institute for Policy & Social Research to learn about accessing secure federal data

The Institute for Policy & Social Research will host a session on the Kansas City Research Data Center with Shawn Ratcliff from 2 to 3 p.m. Nov. 20 at 114 Blake Hall and on Zoom.
A gavel sits on a sound block while the scales of justice loom in the background.

Global spread of populism threatens acceptance of constitutional court decisions, researcher says

In a new paper, Robert Rohrschneider, the Sir Robert Worcester Distinguished Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas, finds that populist citizens now judge constitutional courts that make decisions on controversial issues with the same skepticism as other political institutions. And their willingness to restrict its authority is increasing.
Dole Institute of Politics, shown in reflecting pool on fall day. Trees with bare branches.

Dole and Kennedy institutes announce funding from Election Trust Initiative

The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics and the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate have recently been awarded funding from the Election Trust Initiative for their Bolstering Elections Initiative to promote investment in America’s critical elections infrastructure. Experts, including KU scholars, will create a