News
Study finds common vaping additives disrupt lung-surfactant film in lab model
A new study from the University of Kansas shows that additives common to commercially available vaping devices, vitamin E and CBD, soften a vital lung surfactant at high enough concentrations, at least in a simplified lab model.
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Wed, 09/09/2026
Military aircraft to fly over Lawrence campus Thursday, Friday in advance of KU-Missouri football game
Military jets will fly over the University of Kansas campus Thursday, Sept. 10, and Friday, Sept. 11, in advance of Friday's KU football game versus the University of Missouri.
Wed, 09/09/2026
KU Law to host environmental law scholar James Salzman for lecture on drinking water
The University of Kansas School of Law will host environmental law scholar James Salzman for a public lecture Sept. 14. “The Past, Present, and Future of Drinking Water” will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in 106 Green Hall at the University of Kansas School of Law.
Wed, 09/09/2026
Indigenous Arts Initiative will offer workshops on art, filmmaking
The Indigenous Arts Initiative, which includes partners from the University of Kansas, will bring two distinguished Indigenous artists and educators to Lawrence this September for a series of free public workshops exploring art, culture, storytelling and filmmaking.
Tue, 09/08/2026
Study finds common vaping additives disrupt lung-surfactant film in lab model
A new study from the University of Kansas shows that additives common to commercially available vaping devices, vitamin E and CBD, soften a vital lung surfactant at high enough concentrations, at least in a simplified lab model.
Tue, 09/08/2026
KU to host inaugural Democracy Day, featuring presentations by university researchers
The Center for Democratic Governance at the University of Kansas is hosting its first annual Democracy Day “Teach-In” Event on Sept. 18 in the Alderson Auditorium of the Kansas Union.
Tue, 09/08/2026
KU Architecture Lecture Series to explore contemporary architectural practice in Mexico
Award-winning architects from some of Mexico’s most influential contemporary practices will visit the University of Kansas this fall as part of the Architecture Lecture Series, “Re-Generations.” Through four public presentations, speakers will share perspectives on design, urbanism and the evolving role of architecture in shaping communities and culture.
Tue, 09/08/2026
‘News Desert U’ book explores what happens when ‘universities own the news’
The new book “News Desert U” examines six university community partnerships in which faculty and students produce news for communities that have lost coverage. The book’s authors, including a University of Kansas journalism faculty member, explore lessons learned and argue for more support from universities to faculty who are leading such efforts.
Fri, 09/04/2026
University announces 2026 recipients of annual teaching awards
The University of Kansas has announced 15 faculty members from the Lawrence and KU Medical Center campuses as recipients of KU’s annual teaching awards. They will be honored at a public reception Oct. 13 at the Jayhawk Welcome Center.
Fri, 09/04/2026
Polish naturalists saved European bison from extinction, research reveals
In a new scholarly article, Nathan Wood, associate professor of history at the University of Kansas, describes how after soldiers and poachers killed the last free European bison, Polish naturalists worked with international organizations following World War I to revive the species from the few animals scattered on estates and zoos across the continent.
Fri, 09/04/2026
KU student-designed mural reflects community, belonging in Watson Library
KU Libraries collaborated with students from the Department of Design for a new mural in The Kettle in Watson Library. The public is invited to an opening reception at 4 p.m. Sept. 24 to celebrate the work and partnership.
Thu, 09/03/2026
New KU initiative recognizes community partnerships driving action across Kansas
The University of Kansas Office of Community Impact has announced 26 inaugural champions and hubs that support community-engaged scholarship and collaboration across Kansas.
Wed, 09/02/2026
Military aircraft to fly over KU campus Thursday, Friday in advance of football game
Military jets will fly over the University of Kansas campus Thursday, Sept. 3, and Friday, Sept. 4, in advance of Friday’s football game between KU and Long Island University.
Wed, 09/02/2026
KU alumna, NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara to headline KU Reads event Oct. 8
The University of Kansas will welcome home one of its own this fall when KU alumna and NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara returns to Lawrence for a public event celebrating the 2026-27 KU Reads: A Common Book Experience selection.
Wed, 09/02/2026
KU law professor traces legal history of the kiss
Andrew Torrance, a professor of law at the University of Kansas, has published research on how kissing, one of the most basic human acts and a sign of love, has been viewed alternately as property that can be stolen, a contract, a criminal act or as agency over one’s own body. His article was published in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior.
Wed, 09/02/2026
University Honors Program announces five additions to Honors Faculty Fellow cohort
The University Honors Program has welcomed five KU faculty members to its cohort of Honors Faculty Fellows, who join six continuing fellows as well as one returning fellow for the fall 2026 semester.
Mon, 08/31/2026
Four years later, KU researchers continue their work strengthening American dams
Nearly four years after launching a federally funded research initiative to strengthen American dams and levees, University of Kansas engineers are demonstrating how that work is delivering measurable benefits to Kansas infrastructure, workforce development and public safety.
Mon, 08/31/2026
KU-based initiative helps build safer community for Wyandotte County youth
A new study demonstrates effective ways to reduce youth violence, with a 42% decrease in the rate of youth homicide within the catchment area served during the years of the KU-based program.
Fri, 08/28/2026
2026 Honors Convocation marks University Honors Program’s 70th anniversary
The University Honors Program recognized two faculty members and a student for their contributions to the program during Honors Convocation, an annual celebration for first-year honors students, which took place Aug. 23 at the Burge Union.
Fri, 08/28/2026
Second annual Falling into AI Summit will bring experts from Google, Amazon to KU
The University of Kansas is hosting the second annual Falling into AI Summit from Sept. 22-24, bringing together leaders from KU, KU Medical Center, Google, Amazon Web Services, Apple and artificial intelligence industry partners to explore how AI is transforming education, healthcare, research, workforce development and society.
Fri, 08/28/2026
Fall Design Professional Lecture Series brings acclaimed artists and designers to KU
The University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design will welcome seven accomplished artists and designers for the Fall 2026 Design Professional Lecture Series. Now in its fifth decade, the series features leading voices in contemporary art, illustration, product design, furniture design, branding and visual communication, offering students and the public an opportunity to engage with innovative creative practitioners from across the country.
Fri, 08/28/2026
‘Nollywood’ film industry still tethered to patriarchal stereotypes despite progress of female characters, expert says
In a new article, Abisola Akínsìkù, a doctoral candidate in English at the University of Kansas, uses feminism as a conceptual lens to interrogate how female characters are portrayed in the burgeoning “Nollywood” film industry of Nigeria.
Thu, 08/27/2026
KU ROTC will host 2026 KU 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb
The University of Kansas Reserve Officer Training Corps programs will host the 2026 KU 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb on Sept. 11 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium to honor and remember the courage and sacrifice of the firefighters, first responders and service members who responded on Sept. 11, 2001.
Thu, 08/27/2026
KU launches website dedicated to businesses
The website, partner.ku.edu, serves as a gateway to KU’s business-focused resources, connecting employers with world-class research, core laboratories, workforce training and top talent.
Thu, 08/27/2026
KU to host summit on Indigenous food sovereignty
The Office of Sovereign Partnerships & Indigenous Initiatives at the University of Kansas and partners will host a daylong summit Sept. 16 featuring a keynote by alumna Lois Stevens (Oneida Nation) and several panel sessions along with a screening of “Seed Warriors,” a film by KU faculty member Rebekka Schlichting (Ioway Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska).
Thu, 08/27/2026
KU Transportation Center keeps Kansans connected
The KU Transportation Center supports the roads, routes and relationships that strengthen the Sunflower State. Part of the School of Engineering, the center has partnered with transportation professionals, transit providers and local governments throughout Kansas.
Wed, 08/26/2026
Using FDA addiction science, researcher asks: Do salty, high-fat foods act like drugs?
University of Kansas researcher Tera Fazzino is investigating whether “hyperpalatable” foods marketed to Americans — foods formulated with artificially high amounts of fat, salt and carbohydrates — have traits commonly associated with addictive substances. She recently earned a $2.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to test the idea using experimental practices standard in the field of regulatory research.
Wed, 08/26/2026
KU Spotlight on Faculty Excellence honorees announced for the 2026-27 year
The University of Kansas has announced the 12 faculty members selected for its 2026-27 Spotlight on Faculty Excellence program, which recognizes outstanding achievements in research, scholarship and creative activity across KU’s Lawrence, Edwards and Medical Center campuses.
Tue, 08/25/2026
NSF awards $2 million grant to KU-led project supporting future AI and computing leaders
A University of Kansas-led initiative has received a $2 million award from the National Science Foundation’s Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S-STEM) program to expand educational opportunities for low-income students pursuing careers in computing, engineering and emerging technology fields.
Tue, 08/25/2026
$1.5 million NSF grant will support KU research modeling molecular systems using AI
University of Kansas researcher Ilya Vakser and colleagues at Stony Brook University and the Stowers Institute for Medical Research will use a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation to expand knowledge of macromolecular systems using artificial intelligence.
Tue, 08/25/2026
Luciano Tosta selected for KU’s Woodyard International Educator Award
Luciano Tosta, University of Kansas faculty member and director of the Center for Global & International Studies, has earned KU’s top honor in international education for his transformative work across global teaching, research, partnerships and study abroad. KU will celebrate his achievements and hear remarks from Tosta on Oct. 8.