Featured news at KU
Our top featured stories

New research from the University of Kansas in Ecology Letters reveals study of spatial synchrony over a long enough timescale leads to better testing of ideas, improved statistical results and new conceptual realms for understanding ecology, conserving species and farming more profitably.
KU in the News
Other featured news

Study of ‘spatial synchrony’ using long-term data exposes ecological trends and could boost conservation, farming
New research from the University of Kansas in Ecology Letters reveals study of spatial synchrony over a long enough timescale leads to better testing of ideas, improved statistical results and new conceptual realms for understanding ecology, conserving species and farming more profitably.

Professor mentors as she shepherds 'Family Sideshow' through world premiere at KC Melting Pot Theatre
Nicole Hodges Persley has a sense of fulfillment on many levels as she works on her last play as artistic director of the Kansas City Melting Pot Theatre. She is directing a cast of four in the world premiere of Brysen Boyd’s tragicomic drama, “Family Sideshow,” opening May 1.

Galaxies at ‘cosmic noon’: Research gives deep dive into universe’s wild growth spurt
A new University of Kansas survey of distant galaxies using the James Webb Space Telescope reveals never-before-seen star formation and black hole growth at “cosmic noon,” a mysterious epoch 2-3 billion years after the Big Bang when galaxies like the Milky Way underwent an intense growth spurt.

Partisan politics proved most significant factor for speed of corporate shutdowns during pandemic, study shows
In a new study, Shradha Bindal, assistant professor of finance at the University of Kansas, investigates the speed with which U.S. firms shut down their headquarters because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It finds that the political orientation of the firms and their CEOs proved the most significant factor.
Research

Nicole Hodges Persley has a sense of fulfillment on many levels as she works on her last play as artistic director of the Kansas City Melting Pot Theatre. She is directing a cast of four in the world premiere of Brysen Boyd’s tragicomic drama, “Family Sideshow,” opening May 1.
Kansas Communities

All University of Kansas campuses received top rankings among Tier 1 research institutions in the annual “Military Friendly Schools” survey, the longest-running review of college and university investments in serving military-affiliated students.
Economic Development

The University of Kansas ranked 37th among public institutions in the Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Utility Patents in 2024, a list published by the National Academy of Inventors. The list showcases universities that play a pivotal role in advancing the innovation ecosystem and driving economic growth in the United States. KU ranked 59th among all universities.
Student experience and achievement

Three University of Kansas students were recently named to the highly competitive National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program. The distinction provides three years of financial support with an annual stipend of $37,000 and a cost of education allowance of $16,000 to the institution.
Campus news

A conversation between former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and longtime Wall Street Journal journalist Jerry Seib will open a University of Kansas conference April 30-May 1 that seeks to understand China’s long-term geopolitical objectives and how they affect U.S. national security.
Latest news

Study of ‘spatial synchrony’ using long-term data exposes ecological trends and could boost conservation, farming
New research from the University of Kansas in Ecology Letters reveals study of spatial synchrony over a long enough timescale leads to better testing of ideas, improved statistical results and new conceptual realms for understanding ecology, conserving species and farming more profitably.

Three KU students named to prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
Three University of Kansas students were recently named to the highly competitive National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program. The distinction provides three years of financial support with an annual stipend of $37,000 and a cost of education allowance of $16,000 to the institution.

KU Engineering recognizes 2 alumni and a longtime educator for distinguished service
Willem Anemaat, David Darwin and Frank Tsuru are the recipients of the KU School of Engineering 2025 Distinguished Engineering Service Award. They will be honored at a ceremony May 8.

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Edward Larson to speak at KU for Scopes Trial centennial
On April 29, join the Department of Religious Studies for a public lecture by acclaimed historian Edward Larson, reflecting on the 100th anniversary of the landmark Scopes "Monkey Trial." The event will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Kansas Union.
About KU News
KU News Service informs the news media and the public of KU’s role as one of the nation’s leading research universities. Each day, KU News Service interacts with local, regional, and national media, to share KU’s experts, discoveries, contributions, and accomplishments.
Staff
Staff are responsible for producing KU Today and Inside KU. Connect with staff to learn more about a story, press coverage, or find an expert at KU.
Connect with KU News staff
Experts guide
The University of Kansas is home to faculty members who are leaders in their fields and are eager to share their expertise with media outlets around the world. Our public affairs officers can help match reporters with faculty experts, including in the top
View the guide
Media resources
The university has an extensive network of communications practitioners embedded in schools and units across KU. This network of KU Communicators is vital to ensuring different units are all speaking with a common voice.
Find resources
Swipe to see more