Featured news at KU


Our top featured stories

A photo of five first ladies taken in 2013. From left, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, Barbara Bush and Rosalynn Carter.
"The Cambridge Companion to US First Ladies" takes a look at the history of the role of first lady. Not simply a collection of biographies, the book examines how first ladies were portrayed in their time, their legacies, how they performed, their influence and much more through a variety of scholarly lenses.

Other featured news

A wind turbine set against a blue sky, with a coal mine waste rock pile visible in the background.

Researcher co-edits special issue highlighting how just energy transition can happen globally

Ensuring clean energy transition without exploiting vulnerable communities or leaving people and communities behind is the focus of a new special journal issue co-edited by a University of Kansas researcher.
Woman in sun hat alongside a piece of art she has woven

Artist’s guide to digital weaving blends old, new technology

As Poppy DeltaDawn, KU assistant professor of visual art, sees it, “RATIO: Digital Weaving to Change the World” is her first take on a more cross-disciplinary approach to the possibilities and implications of the digital hand-loom.
Anthony Fehr, Gibum Kwon portraits on background of KU horizon framed by graphic elements including blue grid, blue starburst, crimson square with white radial fade.

Two KU researchers chosen for prestigious early-career presidential award

Two KU professors — Anthony Fehr, associate professor of molecular biosciences, and Gibum Kwon, associate professor of mechanical engineering — were recently chosen for the PECASE Award, the highest honor given by the U.S. government to early-career researchers who show great potential for leading scientific advancements in the 21st century.
Willmott gestures to audience members seated in theatre auditorium.

Film festival to pay tribute to Kevin Willmott’s vision

A festival of films made by Kevin Willmott during his days at the University of Kansas will pay tribute to the professor emeritus of film & media studies.

Research



A University of Kansas researcher analyzed results of an alternate treatment for LGBTQ individuals contained in “LGBTQI Workbook for CTI,” which is designed to help individuals who can’t access or have not had success with professional therapy.
In a new study focusing on financial markets, William Bazley, assistant professor of finance at the University of Kansas, finds that sleep disruptions following spring daylight saving time clock shifts may negatively affect the forecast quality of the professional analysts — but it depends on their level of experience.
Woman in sun hat alongside a piece of art she has woven
As Poppy DeltaDawn, KU assistant professor of visual art, sees it, “RATIO: Digital Weaving to Change the World” is her first take on a more cross-disciplinary approach to the possibilities and implications of the digital hand-loom.

Kansas Communities



Through to a community effort involving Russell County organizations and services provided by KU's RedTire (Redefine your Retirement) program, Russell County residents are still receiving local dental services, and Dr. Michael Jones is enjoying his retirement.
A new website from the Center for Educational Opportunity Programs is designed to provide high school students, current college students and adult learners engaged in college access and success programs — including TRIO, GEAR UP and CAMP (College Assistance Migrant Program) — with a one-stop hub for information on scholarships, internships and more.
Architect's drawing of new addition
Construction will begin next month on a 5,500-square-foot addition to the Kansas Geological Survey Drill Core Library in the West District of the University of Kansas Lawrence campus. The library preserves cores from 6,500 wells in Kansas for future study.

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



A University of Kansas senior from Olathe is among the select scholars who have been named to the 11th class of Schwarzman Scholars, which provides for a year of graduate study in China.
The KU Debate program opened the new year by winning two college tournaments Jan. 3-6. The team of John Marshall and Graham Revare won a tournament hosted by Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., while the team of Claire Ain and Jared Spiers won a tournament hosted by KU in Lawrence.
Graham Revare and John Marshall holding trophy.
KU debaters John Marshall, Lawrence, and Graham Revare, Prairie Village, went 13-0 over three days to capture the championship at the University of Texas Tournament in Austin, Texas.

Campus news



NBC's Lester Holt has been selected to receive the 2025 William Allen White National Citation for his outstanding journalistic service.
The KU School of Business online MBA program improved two spots to seventh overall in the 2025 edition of the "Best Online Programs" from U.S. News & World Report.
Chancellor Douglas A. Girod speaking to group at Jayhawk Welcome Center with large screen displaying "Towering Toward the Blue."
Dubbed “Towering Toward the Blue,” the campaign is designed to emphasize KU’s contributions across the state and beyond to teaching, research and economic development.

Latest news

Jared Barton wearing a light blue shirt in front of a stone background

KU Center for Public Partnerships and Research announces new director

The KU Center for Public Partnerships and Research has announced the appointment of Jared Barton as the new director of KU-CPPR. Barton is the second director in the center's 12-year history.
Brea Baker

Author to give Spencer Lecture addressing Black land ownership movement

Brea Baker, author and organizer, will give the Kenneth Spencer Lecture for The Commons at 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at Liberty Hall. The talk will center research that contributed to her 2024 book, "Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership."
Red and gold Lunar New Year event flyer with a snake, flowers and lanterns.

Celebrate the Year of the Snake with the Center for East Asian Studies

The University of Kansas Center for East Asian Studies will celebrate the Year of the Snake for the Lunar New Year from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Kansas Union.
A photo of five first ladies taken in 2013. From left, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, Barbara Bush and Rosalynn Carter.

New book takes in-depth look at first ladies, how the position has evolved

"The Cambridge Companion to US First Ladies" takes a look at the history of the role of first lady. Not simply a collection of biographies, the book examines how first ladies were portrayed in their time, their legacies, how they performed, their influence and much more through a variety of scholarly lenses.