Featured news at KU


Our top featured stories

Big Jay and Baby Jay cross Jayhawk Boulevard on a spring day at the University of Kansas Lawrence campus.
More than 9,000 Jayhawks were named to the dean's lists for their respective schools for academic excellence in the spring 2026 semester.

Other featured news

A scientific illustration reconstruction of a Late Cretaceous forest where a small mammal and a horned dinosaur eat the fleshy fruits of flowering plants.

Dinosaurs probably dined upon a variety of fruits and seeds

Recent research appearing in the journal Science overturns a long-held idea that flowering plants didn’t evolve large fruits and seeds until after the mass extinction of dinosaurs about 66 million years ago, when Earth was smacked by a giant asteroid.
Two unseen people shake hands over a desk littered with business tech and materials.

Entrepreneurs need partners unless solo founder has broad and deep experience, study finds

In a new scholarly article published in the Strategic Management Journal, a University of Kansas business scholar explored whether entrepreneurs need co-founders, finding disadvantages partially diminished when a solo founder has broad and/or deep experience.
Pop art illustration of lips

Study reveals what people really see when they read lips

New research from the University of Kansas uses network science to determine why people make mistakes when lip reading. The research could improve lip-reading training as well as help the advancement of automatic transcription. The results appear in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America.
A photo of a woman from behind standing before a massive wall representing various websites, online and entertainment options including emojis and numerous online options.

Research shows AI advertising can deliver relevant content without spying on users' internet behaviors

Four experiments conducted by a University of Kansas researcher have shown that AI-derived ads can deliver effective, relevant advertising for users without tracking their internet behavior. The findings counter prevailing attitudes that online surveillance is necessary for effective advertising at a time when the future of online privacy is at stake, according to the study author.

Research



Researchers from the University of Kansas discovered older women who had used hormonal birth control in young adulthood were more likely to have larger volumes in brain regions vital to memory, cognition and information processing.
In a new scholarly article, Kevin Mullinix, associate professor of political science, finds Christian nationalism shapes beliefs about who is most deserving of punishment in society in ways that are contingent on the identity of the offender and victim — and the extent to which the crime violates particular norms.
Individuals walk around downtown Shanghai with skyscrapers in background.
In a new article, Jack Zhang, associate professor of political science at the University of Kansas, finds that the People’s Daily newspaper has reduced foreign news coverage during President Xi Jinping’s administration, suggesting such coverage is influenced more by domestic politics than by China’s growing international interests.

Kansas Communities



KU researchers are working to address declining literacy rates in Kansas schools, where just 1 out of 3 students are reaching grade-level proficiency. The goal through the state's Blueprint for Literacy initiative is to reach 90% proficiency for students across Kansas.
Ten secondary school science teachers from Kansas will converge this week at the University of Kansas Field Station, just north of Lawrence. They’ll take part in the Ecosystems of Kansas Summer Institute, an annual immersive program that gives secondary educators the chance to work with KU scientists to explore resources and gain new ideas for their classrooms.
A woman with brown hair is looking at the camera as she hugs a child who has closed her eyes and is slightly smiling.
With a new artificial intelligence chatbot tool developed at the University of Kansas, families can receive vetted information about autism that is specific to their needs in Kansas.

Economic Development



The National Academy of Inventors ranks the University of Kansas 39th among public universities for the number of utility patents granted in 2025, marking the fourth consecutive year the University of Kansas is listed among the United States’ top 100 institutions receiving patents.
Research and development expenditures spanning all University of Kansas campuses climbed to $610.6 million in fiscal year 2025, surpassing the previous record of $546.1 million by 12% and marking a full decade of sustained research growth.
Attendees chat in audience at professional development workshop.
The Center for Workplace Excellence supports career development in the Greater Kansas City area, helping businesses and nonprofit organizations strengthen workforce skills, improve organizational effectiveness and navigate today’s rapidly changing workplace environment.

Student experience and achievement



Arthur Benson, a Lawrence native and School of Engineering student, has been named a 2026-2027 Astronaut Scholar. The program awards approximately 60 scholarships annually to sophomores and juniors in STEM who demonstrate exceptional academic performance, significant research experience and a commitment to pursuing a career in research.
The University of Kansas School of Music has announced that the KU Chamber Choir has won top honors at an international choir competition in Slovakia.
Big Jay and Baby Jay cross Jayhawk Boulevard on a spring day at the University of Kansas Lawrence campus.
More than 9,000 Jayhawks were named to the dean's lists for their respective schools for academic excellence in the spring 2026 semester.

Campus news



Turnstile, which made history this year by winning Grammy Awards in both the metal and rock categories in the same year, will be joined by artists Slayyyter and Die Spitz for the Oct. 6 event at the University of Kansas.
Steve Gurysh, associate professor of visual art, will further his exploration of Mars Global Simulant through sculpture and by contributing to evolutionary biology scholarship at KU.
Series of five theatre and dance show poster illustrations in rad colors. Most show figures moving
With its message of community and optimism, “The SpongeBob Musical” will conclude a highly inventive season that celebrates contemporary theatre and dance. A reimagined Greek tragedy and a Restoration comedy are also highlights of KU Theatre & Dance's season.

Latest news

A scientific illustration reconstruction of a Late Cretaceous forest where a small mammal and a horned dinosaur eat the fleshy fruits of flowering plants.

Dinosaurs probably dined upon a variety of fruits and seeds

Recent research appearing in the journal Science overturns a long-held idea that flowering plants didn’t evolve large fruits and seeds until after the mass extinction of dinosaurs about 66 million years ago, when Earth was smacked by a giant asteroid.
A woman with brown hair is looking at the camera as she hugs a child who has closed her eyes and is slightly smiling.

KU autism AI tool launched to provide resources to Kansas families

With a new artificial intelligence chatbot tool developed at the University of Kansas, families can receive vetted information about autism that is specific to their needs in Kansas.
Series of five theatre and dance show poster illustrations in rad colors. Most show figures moving

KU Theatre & Dance unveils 2026-27 season

With its message of community and optimism, “The SpongeBob Musical” will conclude a highly inventive season that celebrates contemporary theatre and dance. A reimagined Greek tragedy and a Restoration comedy are also highlights of KU Theatre & Dance's season.
Student works on laptop.

20 KU students receive Undergraduate Research Awards for summer and fall 2026

The KU Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships gave out $1,000 awards to 20 Jayhawks pursuing mentored research and creative projects across all disciplines.