News
Study reveals how dreams affect emotions in day-to-day life
A KU clinical psychology scholar sought to test whether emotions experienced within dreams — like fear and joy — change feelings the following morning. Garrett Baber and colleagues published the findings in the peer-reviewed journal Sleep.
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Wed, 04/15/2026
KU student Nora Jennings named finalist for Truman scholarship
Nora Jennings, a University of Kansas junior in chemical engineering from St. Louis, has been named a finalist for a 2026 Harry S. Truman Scholarship. Jennings was among 198 finalists from a pool of about 800 nominees.
Wed, 04/15/2026
Haskell, KU student researchers to present their work at the 26th annual symposium
Twenty-nine undergraduate and postbaccalaureate scholars supported by research training programs at Haskell Indian Nations University and KU will present posters of their research at the 26th annual Haskell-KU Student Research Symposium on April 17.
Wed, 04/15/2026
KU professor co-edits book designed to address special education workforce crisis
Lisa Dieker, Williamson Family Distinguished Professor of Special Education at KU, is co-editor of a new book that proposes adopting a whole-systems approach to recruit, train, support and retain quality special educators. The book focuses on the rights and needs of vulnerable students who are most affected by the special education workforce crisis.
Tue, 04/14/2026
Final journalism dean candidate to present April 16
Jennifer Vardeman, director of the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication at the University of Houston, will be the final candidate in the KU School of Journalism & Mass Communications dean search.
Tue, 04/14/2026
Study reveals how dreams affect emotions in day-to-day life
A KU clinical psychology scholar sought to test whether emotions experienced within dreams — like fear and joy — change feelings the following morning. Garrett Baber and colleagues published the findings in the peer-reviewed journal Sleep.
Tue, 04/14/2026
KU Professional Selling Program, King’s Hawaiian mark sixth year of sales competition with record participation
The sixth annual KU Professional Selling Program/King's Hawaiian Sales Competition brought a record-breaking 15 teams to the KU Conference Center in Lawrence.
Mon, 04/13/2026
Study shows cigarette smoking almost twice as likely for people living with chronic pain
Researchers have analyzed responses from more than 195,600 Americans surveyed over 10 years. The key finding: Chronic pain is tied to smoking and vaping at higher rates.
Mon, 04/13/2026
KU's 10th International Jayhawk Festival set for April 15
The University of Kansas will hold its 10th Annual International Jayhawk Festival from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. April 15 in the Burge Union. The free event will feature cultural performances, an international fashion show, interactive activities and study abroad information, along with free food and giveaways.
Mon, 04/13/2026
Research finds efforts to end child marriage in Malawi leave out local knowledge, culture
University of Kansas researchers propose viewing the problem through an African feminist lens that would engage culture, local customs and knowledge to address an issue that has persisted despite legal reforms.
Mon, 04/13/2026
From students to officers: KLETC graduation honors lifesaving response on I-35
U.S. Rep. Derek Schmidt addressed members of the 355th graduating class, emphasizing the importance of support from families, colleagues and the broader law enforcement community. Two members of the Overland Park Police Department received the Director's Award for lifesaving actions.
Fri, 04/10/2026
New approach to religious literacy aims to foster deeper understanding, avert conflict
In a new article, Ryan Lemasters, a doctoral student in philosophy at the University of Kansas, advocates for a fresh approach to religious literacy compared with current theories. He draws attention to their limitations by virtue of three challenges: conversion, multiple religious belonging and motivation.
Thu, 04/09/2026
Third journalism dean candidate to present April 13
Cory Armstrong, Lawrence L. and Ruth E. Pike Professor in Journalism at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will be the third finalist in the University of Kansas School of Journalism & Mass Communications dean search to present her ideas for the school’s future.
Thu, 04/09/2026
Hall Center to host conversation on Langston Hughes, democracy featuring former KU professors
Randal Jelks, author of "My America: Langston Hughes on Democracy," will join Distinguished Professor Emerita Maryemma Graham in conversation about art as resistance, democracy and activism as they trace Hughes' journey from Lawrence and Kansas City around the globe.
Thu, 04/09/2026
First public trail at Baldwin Woods set to open April 25
The public is invited to the opening of the new Rice Woodland Trail at the Baldwin Woods Forest Preserve, which is managed by the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research as part of the KU Field Station.
Thu, 04/09/2026
KU Law to host annual Federal Courts Junior Scholars Workshop
The KU School of Law will host the 15th annual Federal Courts Junior Scholars Workshop, a selective national conference that brings together emerging and established legal scholars to exchange ideas, strengthen scholarship and build community within the field of federal courts. The conference will take place April 24.
Thu, 04/09/2026
Composer elevates voices of women poets on new recording
A University of Kansas professor has released a new album, “Three Silent Things: Vocal Chamber Music by Ingrid Stölzel,” featuring the settings of female poets’ writing, including one by Kansas native aviator Amelia Earhart.
Thu, 04/09/2026
Jayhawks Elevate: KU's continuous improvement program processes more than 300 ideas
KU employees are encouraged to continue submitting ideas to Jayhawks Elevate, the University of Kansas continuous improvement initiative that seeks to enhance operations, the educational environment and community engagement — one idea at a time.
Wed, 04/08/2026
KU researchers part of national group showing primary barrier to energy infrastructure is governance, not technology
KU researchers are part of Just Energy Transitions & Place Project, a national research group that has conducted studies around the country to determine that the primary barrier to energy infrastructure development is local governance and permitting, not technology, as is commonly assumed.
Wed, 04/08/2026
KU law school to host world’s leading patent scholarship conference
On April 10-11, the University of Kansas School of Law will host the 14th annual Patent Conference, the nation’s leading annual patent scholarship conference. Patent scholars from 18 institutions across 15 states and Germany will present cutting-edge research on patent law, policy and business.
Wed, 04/08/2026
Research traces evolution of anglerfishes’ famed fishing-rod lures
Variously horrific- or alien-looking, many female anglerfishes sport long, protruding lures used for enticing prey or signaling during mating. Now, research from the University of Kansas is giving new detail to the evolutionary history of anglerfishes’ lures.
Wed, 04/08/2026
Researcher offers communication tips for combating military mental health stigma
KU professor Rikki Roscoe has contributed to the new book “Mental Health Communication for Underserved Populations,” detailing ways to reduce stigma and secrecy among soldiers and veterans who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health issues.
Wed, 04/08/2026
KU Libraries to host ALC Spring Meeting, showcase Africa-related resources
For the first time in a decade, KU Libraries will host the spring meeting of the African Studies Association’s Africana Librarians Council. The university community is invited to Africa Day on April 15.
Tue, 04/07/2026
KU Debate wins CEDA National Championship as season concludes
The University of Kansas Debate team of freshman Kate’Lynn Shaw, Chicago, and junior Nargis Suleman, Leawood, won the Cross Examination Debate Association National Championship Tournament. The win is among several strong finishes for the KU Debate program.
Tue, 04/07/2026
KU Theatre students, faculty recognized at American College Theatre Festival regionals
Outstanding work in theatre design, dramaturgy, directing and acting earned KU professors and students honors at the American College Theatre Festival regionals.
Tue, 04/07/2026
U.S. News & World Report ranks 55 KU graduate programs in top 50 among public schools
KU has 55 graduate programs in the top 50 among public universities — including eight in the top 10 — in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings.
Mon, 04/06/2026
57 KU students receive Undergraduate Research Awards for spring 2026
This spring, 57 Jayhawks received an Undergraduate Research Award (UGRA) from the Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships. UGRA recipients are awarded a $1,000 scholarship as they work on mentored research and creative projects.
Mon, 04/06/2026
KU researcher proposes strategies for political depolarization in, outside classroom
In two recent publications, a University of Kansas communication studies researcher prescribes constructive approaches to political polarization both in the classroom and in society more broadly.
Mon, 04/06/2026
KU research shows JOBS Act backfired, resulting in acquisitions of companies instead of increasing IPOs
Alex Platt, KU School of Law professor, has published research showing that the JOBS Act of 2012, which was intended to revive the IPO market, has had the opposite effect. Instead of making it easier for companies to go public through the IPO process, it has resulted in "dual-track bias," which has led many companies to sell to larger companies instead.
Thu, 04/02/2026
Groundwater levels in the Kansas High Plains aquifer see first overall increase since 2019
Preliminary measurements by the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) show an overall increase in 2025 groundwater levels across Kansas High Plains aquifer regions, due in part to periods of above-average rainfall. In south-central Kansas, water levels increased an average of nearly 2.5 feet — the highest since 2019.
Thu, 04/02/2026
Second journalism dean candidate to present April 6
Judith E. Rosenbaum-Andre, associate dean for faculty affairs and administration in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Maine, will be the second finalist in the University of Kansas School of Journalism and Mass Communications dean search. Her public presentation will take place April 6.