News
University of Kansas drives $7.8 billion economic impact in Kansas, study shows
The University of Kansas is a powerful engine of economic growth and job creation for the state of Kansas, according to a new study detailing the university’s impact.
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Tue, 04/29/2025
Study finds engagement journalism training reduced 'horse race' political coverage, boosted more substantive content
A study co-led by the Universty of Kansas found that news outlets that took part in Democracy SOS engagement journalism training reduced the amount of false-binary "horse race" coverage of elections that focused solely who was winning, instead producing more substantive content. Researchers argue the training could help generate content for a less polarized, more engaged populace.
Tue, 04/22/2025
Partisan politics proved most significant factor for speed of corporate shutdowns during pandemic, study shows
In a new study, Shradha Bindal, assistant professor of finance at the University of Kansas, investigates the speed with which U.S. firms shut down their headquarters because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It finds that the political orientation of the firms and their CEOs proved the most significant factor.
Wed, 04/16/2025
Limits of nation’s belief in manifest destiny explored in new ‘Borderlands’ book
In a new book, Andrew Isenberg, Hall Distinguished Professor of American History at the University of Kansas, offers a reconsidered history of manifest destiny that breaks from traditional narratives of U.S. territorial expansion.
Tue, 04/08/2025
Research explores engagement with climate change in state and national parks
A new study from the University of Kansas suggests many parks sidestep the opportunity to educate millions of Americans and to “inspire civic engagement” around the issue of climate.
Mon, 04/07/2025
The Care Board, KU-led site to gather information on care work's role in the economy, now live
The Care Board, a project that gathers information on care work, which often goes unnpaid, done every day in the American economy is now live. The site can help journalists, policymakers, communities, nonprofits and the public better understand the influence care work has on the American economy.
Wed, 03/26/2025
Subset of Taylor Swift fans who question her sexual identity are focus of new study
In a new study, Brian Donovan, professor of sociology at the University of Kansas, focuses on a thriving subset of Taylor Swift fans called “Gaylors,” who embrace subversive readings of Swift’s songs and seek to compile evidence she is secretly queer. His study explores how those interpretations cultivate joy, shape personal identity and build community.
Tue, 03/18/2025
Kansas, Missouri farmers avoid discussing climate change regardless of opinions, study finds
Despite belief or skepticism on the topic, Kansas and Missouri farmers avoid talking about climate change with neighbors, community members and even family for a variety of reasons, including avoiding arguments or violence or fear of damage to their livelihood, research from the University of Kansas has found.
Tue, 03/04/2025
Embrace of authoritarianism in US fueled by culture wars more than economy, study finds
In a new book chapter, David Norman Smith, professor of sociology at the University of Kansas, examines Donald Trump’s intention to be a dictator “on day one” of his second term in office. He scrutinizes Trump’s assertion that many individuals “like” such talk of a dictatorship and finds that this is fueled more by the culture wars than the economy.
Wed, 02/26/2025
Researcher urges emphasis on democratic accountability standards in public administration education
Given changes in democracy around the world, the field of public administration education should reevaluate its accreditation standards to examine what democratic accountability standards are to better educate the next generation of public servants, a KU professor argues in a new article.
Fri, 02/21/2025
US businesses reluctant to take political action despite tariff costs, study finds
In a new study, Jack Zhang, assistant professor of political science at the University of Kansas, presented business managers with information about the input costs of new tariffs to their bottom line and invited them to take political action to express support or opposition to these tariffs. The findings suggest this information did not significantly increase managers’ propensity to take any political or social action.
Wed, 02/19/2025
Research finds local approaches to addressing domestic violence can guide international efforts
International policy organizations that aim to address social problems such as domestic violence tend to provide guidance, especially to developing nations, but more could be done to consider what they could learn from those on the ground.
Wed, 02/12/2025
Scholars address rhetorical potency of ‘Plandemic’ COVID-19 misinformation
The "Plandemic" video became influential by appealing to both sides of America’s political divide, according to Brett Bricker, KU communication studies researcher. He contributed to the new book “Pandemic Resilience: Vaccination Resistance and Hesitance, Lessons from COVID-19.”
Wed, 02/05/2025
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.
Thu, 01/30/2025
Governmental restrictions on abortion lead to other human rights abuses, study finds
In a new study, Nazli Avdan, an associate professor of political science at the University of Kansas, examines the relationship between restrictions on abortion and future physical integrity rights abuses.
Tue, 01/21/2025
Study: SEC's IPO review process outdated, creating unnecessary bottlenecks
A study by a KU associate professor of law outlines how the Securities and Exchange Commission's process for companies to go public is outdated and inefficient, adding months to the IPO cycle. As the climate for addressing inefficient regulations heats up, the SEC's initial public offering process could make for a promising target, Alexander Platt writes.
Tue, 12/17/2024
New book explores cost of holding elections, how and why spending varies widely from state to state
"A Republic If You Can Afford It," a new book by a University of Knasas researcher and colleagues, explores how much it costs to hold elections across the country. The book is published by Cambridge University Press as part of its Cambridge Elements Series.
Wed, 12/11/2024
Relationship between propaganda and public reexamined through new research
In a new paper, Anton Shirikov, assistant professor of political science at the University of Kansas, outlines how propaganda reinforces regime support and builds trust through identity-consistent messages. But the analysis also indicates that autocrats are more constrained by public opinion than previously thought.
Tue, 11/26/2024
History and philosophy of materialism explored in new book
John Symons, professor of philosophy at the University of Kansas, offers an in-depth look at materialism — the idea that all facts, events and objects are dependent on or reducible to physical processes. This multiauthor work features 31 chapters that explore its fascinating history, from the ancient world through the 21st century.
Tue, 11/19/2024
Global spread of populism threatens acceptance of constitutional court decisions, researcher says
In a new paper, Robert Rohrschneider, the Sir Robert Worcester Distinguished Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas, finds that populist citizens now judge constitutional courts that make decisions on controversial issues with the same skepticism as other political institutions. And their willingness to restrict its authority is increasing.
Thu, 11/07/2024
Abuses by state police should not be tried under same framework as municipal cases, research suggests
A KU professor of law has laid out an argument for holding state police agencies responsible for constitutional rights abuses that is different than litigating cases against municipal agencies. Sharon Brett provides the outline for getting injunctions to stem both individual abuses and to prevent future abuses.
Tue, 11/05/2024
Studies examine forced labor 'revolution,' help define digital trade
Raj Bhala, an international trade law expert at KU, has published two studies that examine the forced labor "revolution" in American trade policy and helps define the emerging area of digital trade.
Wed, 10/30/2024
New book on water law examines growing legal trend of access to water as a human right
“Water Law: Concepts and Insights, 2nd Edition” provides an overview of case law, understanding of where water law is currently, including an analysis of the emerging trend of access to water in the United States as a human right.
Tue, 10/08/2024
People who know ‘compromised’ gun owner more supportive of red flag laws, survey finds
In a new paper, Margaret Kelley, KU professor of American studies, finds that adults who believe they know a “compromised” gun owner (for example, dangerous, mentally ill or suffering dementia) tend to be much more supportive of “red flag” laws, regardless of political underpinnings.
Mon, 09/23/2024
New patient-centered ethical theory honored with Philosopher’s Annual inclusion
A paper by Brad Cokelet, associate professor of philosophy at the University of Kansas, was included in the esteemed Philosopher’s Annual, which gathers the top 10 articles during the year in the field of philosophy. Cokelet’s paper titled “Competitive Virtue Ethics and Narrow Morality” introduces a new form of patient-centered virtue ethics.
Mon, 06/03/2024
Authenticity on the job dramatically benefits trans workers, study shows
A new survey of 206 transgender and nonbinary workers shows dramatic improvements in job and life satisfaction when they are able to communicate about their authentic selves on the job. "This is not incremental; it's huge," said study co-author Cameron Piercy, KU associate professor of communication studies.
Thu, 05/23/2024
New grant will fund study on preemption's effects on health, economic disparities in Kansas City
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute’s Policies for Action program has awarded more than $382,000 to researchers at KU and the National Academy of Public Administration for a study of how preemptive public policies may contribute to economic insecurity and health inequities in the Kansas City area.
Mon, 05/06/2024
Accountability standards based on rules of democracy needed in times of rising political violence, scholar argues
Populism, violence and democratic backsliding are all reasons to establish accountability standards for government administrators and public administration scholars, a KU professor writes in new work for the journal Public Administration Review.
Fri, 05/03/2024
Religious demographic change shifts support toward Christian nationalism, study finds
In a new study, a KU professor of political science examines the rise in Christian nationalism. “This paper reveals that a big part of what’s driving support for Christian nationalism is in fact this fear and anxiety over religious demographic change and not specifically about racial demographic change.”
Thu, 03/14/2024
Study finds media coverage focused on Katherine Johnson's achievements, treated discrimination as past problem
An analysis of media coverage following Katherine Johnson's death found the NASA mathematician made famous by "Hidden Figures" was portrayed mostly for her accomplishments. However, coverage failed to recognize the discrimination she faced.
Wed, 03/06/2024
Study: SCOTUS created two-tier health care system with Dobbs decision
A KU professor co-wrote new research showing that the Supreme Court's refusal to connect the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision to gender-based ramifications resulted in the creation of a system of health care that exacerbates existing disparities in health care.