Featured news at KU
Our top featured stories

Social media companies thrive on the subtle influencing of users’ behavior. “It is of interest to social media companies to nudge users in such a way that their engagement level increases, but as a result, echo chambers are created and the level of polarization increases,” said Debabrata Dey, a professor of business at the University of Kansas.
KU in the News
Other featured news

Scholar inspires more plans to memorialize site of Emmett Till tragedy
Over the past decade, Dave Tell has become one of the nation’s leading academic experts on the commemoration of the 1955 lynching of Black teen Emmett Till in Money, Mississippi. Now, one of his scholarly articles has inspired a new collaboration titled “Artist’s Project: Memorializing a Site of Sensitivity in Mississippi: Redemption and Reconciliation in the Shadows of Emmett Till.”

Study finds giving pre-service social studies educators practice in teaching difficult topics boosts confidence
Four pre-service teachers designed and delivered a lesson on "Night," Elie Wiesel's seminal Holocaust survival memoir, in a University of Kansas study. The lesson, performed in a mixed-reality simulator, found the teachers did not have instruction on teaching difficult topics, but their confidence in teaching difficult material improved. The research suggests training in traumatic history instruction and opportunity for practice should be a part of teacher preparation programs.

Profit motivation of social media companies may compel them to inject bias and create polarization, study finds
Social media companies thrive on the subtle influencing of users’ behavior. “It is of interest to social media companies to nudge users in such a way that their engagement level increases, but as a result, echo chambers are created and the level of polarization increases,” said Debabrata Dey, a professor of business at the University of Kansas.

Airlines can improve travel efficiency and resilience by incorporating passenger-level data, study finds
Mazhar Arikan, associate professor of business at the University of Kansas, explores how airlines that incorporate passenger-level data along with flight-level data could make modest adjustments in passenger itineraries that result in major travel improvements without significantly deteriorating efficiency.
Research

Over the past decade, Dave Tell has become one of the nation’s leading academic experts on the commemoration of the 1955 lynching of Black teen Emmett Till in Money, Mississippi. Now, one of his scholarly articles has inspired a new collaboration titled “Artist’s Project: Memorializing a Site of Sensitivity in Mississippi: Redemption and Reconciliation in the Shadows of Emmett Till.”
Kansas Communities

GAIN, a nationally recognized professional development program that aims to improve the accuracy, quality and accessibility of autism diagnoses for families, is now based at the University of Kansas and has the potential to expand autism screening in schools, mental health clinics and other settings.
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

Twenty students have been selected to receive the merit-based University of Kansas Madison and Lila Self Memorial Scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year, awarded to outstanding Jayhawks who will be transitioning into their first year of a master’s or doctoral program at KU.
Campus news

The University of Kansas School of Education & Human Sciences will honor alumnus Jason Booker, deputy athletics director for external affairs at Kansas Athletics, with one of its top awards this spring.
Latest news

KU researchers conducting statewide assessment to inform literacy improvement among Kansas students
KU researchers are working to address literacy challenges and needs in Kansas schools by visiting teachers and families across the state this spring as part of the Blueprint for Literacy.

Scholar inspires more plans to memorialize site of Emmett Till tragedy
Over the past decade, Dave Tell has become one of the nation’s leading academic experts on the commemoration of the 1955 lynching of Black teen Emmett Till in Money, Mississippi. Now, one of his scholarly articles has inspired a new collaboration titled “Artist’s Project: Memorializing a Site of Sensitivity in Mississippi: Redemption and Reconciliation in the Shadows of Emmett Till.”

Expanded mini tests from KU assessment center will offer Kansas teachers more flexibility
Assessment & Technology Solutions (ATS), a center within KU’s Achievement & Assessment Institute (AAI), has expanded its Kite Suite mini tests — giving Kansas teachers more tools and students more support in the classroom.

KU announces new 2025-2026 Self Memorial Scholars
Twenty students have been selected to receive the merit-based University of Kansas Madison and Lila Self Memorial Scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year, awarded to outstanding Jayhawks who will be transitioning into their first year of a master’s or doctoral program at KU.
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