News
Study: ‘Classic example’ of sexual dimorphism in fossil record actually shows nuance between males and females
A new study from the University of Kansas appearing in the open-access, peer-reviewed journal PLOS One shows the differences between male and female uintatheres might not be as vast as paleontologists have long believed.
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Tue, 03/11/2025
Famed historian chronicles his 'radical' intellectual and political transformation
In his new autobiography, David Roediger, the Foundation Professor of American Studies at the University of Kansas, chronicles his intellectual and political transformation from growing up in a Midwest “sundown town” to becoming a leading figure in working-class history and whiteness studies.
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.
Wed, 12/04/2024
KU African studies scholar explains his ‘Ambivalent Encounters’
James Yékú’s essays cast a penetrating gaze on cancel culture, other issues in "our unforgiving age of conviction." “Ambivalent Encounters and Other Essays” is published by Griots Lounge.
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, 09/30/2024
Political risks from US-China trade war lead to increased firm exits, study finds
In a new paper, Jack Zhang, assistant professor of political science at the University of Kansas, finds that heightened political risks from the U.S.-China trade war increased firm exits by 34%. His study highlights the collateral damage tariffs can cause in an age of global value chains.
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.
Tue, 09/17/2024
Keeping variation in definition of 'energy communities' can help transition to renewable energy, law expert writes
A KU energy and environmental law professor has published a new study arguing that keeping an open definition of energy communities, or those traditionally dependent on fossil fuel energies, can help ease the transition to renewables. The paper is part of ongoing work in energy justice and transition.
Mon, 08/19/2024
Study details 'eco-necrotourism' and how public land managers can address psychological aspects of disappearing wonders
Last chance tourism, or visiting natural sites before they disappear or are altered permanently by climate change, is a growing phenomenon. In a new law review article, a KU scholar examines the literature of tourism, psychology, law and policy to recommend what park managers can do to prepare for and manage the grief and growing visits that come with "eco-necrotourism."
Mon, 08/05/2024
One year after newspaper raid, KU journalism professor can discuss chilling effect, influence on rural journalists
Stephen Wolgast can discuss the one-year anniversary of the Marion County Record raid by police. He has been following the aftermath of the case and conducted a study on the effects the raid had on other rural Kansas journalists.
Tue, 06/18/2024
Attorney marketing tactics compared to ‘corporate ambulance chasing’ in new study
New research examines how social media announcements of plaintiff’s attorneys’ corporate investigations strongly predict future litigation. It finds how these attorneys’ efforts to recruit additional plaintiffs after a lawsuit has been filed signal that the action is more likely to succeed and result in more severe damages.
Mon, 06/17/2024
Study finds US does not have housing shortage, but shortage of affordable housing
New KU findings counter a common narrative that the United States is facing a housing shortage. The study analyzed Census survey data to determine how many cities had shortages of housing stock and compared it to median income for an area.
Mon, 06/17/2024
Frederick Douglass’ relationship with audiences illustrates ‘outsized impact’ of public speaking in politics, scholar says
Public speaking was among the vehicles the writer and reformer used to tell his story of enslavement, to call for abolition and to defend Black Americans’ rights. A KU scholar unravels how relationships with his audiences are context for his ideological transformation.
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.
Thu, 05/09/2024
KU researcher part of national survey to study how youths take part in labor market
A KU researcher will be part of a partnership to establish the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 2027, the latest effort from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics to understand how youths take part in the labor market and how that affects their lives and livelihood.
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.