News
KU research growth boosts Kansas communities, fuels economy
Research and development expenditures spanning all University of Kansas campuses climbed to $610.6 million in fiscal year 2025, surpassing the previous record of $546.1 million by 12% and marking a full decade of sustained research growth.
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Thu, 09/18/2025
Despite Civil War echoes, scholar of political rhetoric foresees no repeat
The Charlie Kirk assassination has unleashed a torrent of loose talk about the Civil War — and there are some parallels between the eras. But there’s one big difference, a KU communication studies expert says.
Wed, 09/17/2025
Researchers will develop spectrum technologies for safer, more reliable communication for drones and air taxis
With a $760,000 research grant from the National Science Foundation, investigators at the University of Kansas will develop “intelligent spectrum management frameworks” to enable reliable communication for drones as they become more ubiquitous.
Wed, 09/17/2025
NSF grant will support new research for pharmaceutical drug discoveries
Zarko Boskovic, assistant professor of medicinal chemistry in the KU School of Pharmacy, has been awarded a $575,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. The grant will be used in the Boskovic Lab to shed light on the process of efficiently and selectively creating new molecules that hold potential for drug discovery.
Wed, 09/17/2025
2024 Kansas Statistical Abstract now available
The Kansas Statistical Abstract is published annually by the Institute for Policy & Social Research at KU. It includes information on a wide range of topics about Kansas, with information in downloadable tables, maps and graphs.
Wed, 09/17/2025
The Big Event will provide community service Oct. 18 in Lawrence
To foster a greater connection between the University of Kansas and the Lawrence area, The Big Event at KU will stage a day of engagement and service next month. There are several ways that KU students, faculty and staff can get involved to say thank you to the surrounding community.
Tue, 09/16/2025
Tool to help teachers use local climate data, engage students' emotions on topic proves to deepen conversations
Imogen Herrick, a researcher at the University of Kansas, created Community Science Data Talks, a tool to help teachers bring local data on climate change into the classroom. A study found that when teachers used the tool and asked students how the data made them feel, they became more engaged in the topic.
Tue, 09/16/2025
Inspired by the true story of a trailblazing astronomer, ‘Silent Sky’ will open Oct. 3 at University Theatre
The University Theatre opens its 2025-26 season with “Silent Sky,” playing one weekend only – Oct. 3-5. Lauren Gunderson’s play tells the story of astronomer Henrietta Swan Leavitt, whose research led to a shift in understanding the universe, most notably that the Milky Way was not at the center of it.
Mon, 09/15/2025
KU Debate sweeps Missouri State debate tournament
KU Debate teams closed out the championship debates in both the varsity and junior varsity divisions in the Bear-Shock debate tournament hosted by Missouri State University. A squad made up of first-year KU debaters captured the top two spots in the varsity division and the top three spots in the junior varsity division.
Fri, 09/12/2025
Geologic map for Jewell County now available
The Kansas Geological Survey has released a new full-color geologic map of Jewell County, where an ancient inland sea left rocks rich in fossils, time and erosion created a striking landscape, and excavations reveal evidence of prehistoric people.
Thu, 09/11/2025
Spencer Museum of Art announces success of $2 million challenge grant to support its Arts Research Integration Program
The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas today announced the completion of a $2 million challenge grant for its Arts Research Integration (ARI) initiative, bringing total fundraising to endow and fund this visionary program to $5 million.
Thu, 09/11/2025
KU wins grant to increase Lawrence campus awareness of university values
The University of Kansas won a nearly $700,000 grant to help raise awareness and extend the impact of KU’s IRISE Culture Charter for the Lawrence campus. The project will seek to infuse character and KU’s IRISE values into 30 courses and the campus culture.
Thu, 09/11/2025
School of Architecture & Design announces fall 2025 Architecture Lecture Series
The University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design Fall 2025 Architecture Lecture Series begins Sept. 12 with a lecture by Kay Sargent, an interior designer and author working at the forefront of workplace design and research.
Wed, 09/10/2025
Audio-Reader’s Audio Sale returns Sept. 13 at Lawrence Public Library
Music lovers, collectors and bargain hunters alike are invited to Audio-Reader’s Audio Sale, a benefit for the Audio-Reader Network. The sale will take place Sept. 13 in conjunction with the Lawrence Public Library Friends & Foundation’s Book Sale.
Wed, 09/10/2025
Award-winning journalist Bill Kurtis returns home to Kansas to present new book
Join award-winning journalist, host of “Wait, Wait... Don’t Tell Me!” and KANU alumnus Bill Kurtis for the release of his new book, “Whirlwind: My Life Reporting the News.” Kurtis will speak at an event at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at Maceli’s in Lawrence.
Wed, 09/10/2025
Three KU students, alumni receive Fulbright awards
Three Jayhawks have been recognized by the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for 2025-2026, earning opportunities to teach, study or conduct research abroad. Awardees include Nick Caterine in Spain and Levi Van Ryder in the Czech Republic, with Julia Cummings named an alternate for Croatia.
Tue, 09/09/2025
KU Debate opens season with strong showing at Northwestern tournament
The University of Kansas debate team began the 2025-26 season with three teams finishing in the top 10 of the Owen L. Coon Memorial Debate Tournament at Northwestern University, which took place Sept. 5-8 in Evanston, Illinois.
Tue, 09/09/2025
Studies find nonprofits' use of flexible labor negatively affect operational outcomes, lack long-term financial benefit
Hala Altamimi of the University of Kansas is co-author on several studies examining how the push to increase efficiency, or "do more with less," has affected nonprofit organizations. A pair of studies has found that relying on flexible labor affects nonprofits' operational outcomes and can provide short term financial benefits, but not long-term fiscal improvement.
Tue, 09/09/2025
US military’s destructive relationship with the Pacific Ocean explored in new book
A new book edited by Andrew Isenberg, Hall Distinguished Professor of American History at the University of Kansas, focuses on the military’s actions in the Pacific Ocean from World War II through the Vietnam War, offering essays on the inextricable relationship between the natural world and human warfare.
Tue, 09/09/2025
KU design professor lets students in on book cover illustration job for big publisher
Matt Cook’s yearlong illustration project for Simon & Schuster comes to fruition with the release of the children's science fiction book “Press 1 for Invasion,” by J.A. Dauber. The KU professor allowed his students to watch the steps along the way.
Tue, 09/09/2025
Engaged Reading series opens with ‘On Freedom’ on Sept. 11
Engaged Reading, a collaborative series at the University of Kansas that offers a platform for idea exchange across experiences and knowledge, will resume Sept. 11. Each session features conversation facilitators whose KU research and work spans academic disciplines and broader systems of knowledge.
Mon, 09/08/2025
KU ROTC will host 9/11 memorial event at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
To honor and remember the courage and sacrifice of first responders on Sept. 11, 2001, University of Kansas Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs will hold a 9/11 Memorial Run and gathering at KU. Nearly 100 KU ROTC students, along with area first responders and veterans, will participate.
Mon, 09/08/2025
Former KU student, fashion entrepreneur Elyce Arons returning to Lawrence campus Sept. 26 for fireside chat
Elyce Arons, co-founder of the Kate Spade and Frances Valentine brands, will make her first return to the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence in more than four decades — a visit that will be punctuated by a fireside chat for students and the broader KU community.
Mon, 09/08/2025
University Press of Kansas launches new nonfiction line Plainspoken
A new nonfiction trade imprint focused on bringing Midwest stories into national conversations has launched through University Press of Kansas. The first release will be “Whirlwind” by Bill Kurtis, set to publish in September 2025.
Mon, 09/08/2025
KU School of Business partners with Healthy Bourbon County Action Team to strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystem in southeast Kansas
The University of Kansas School of Business has launched a collaboration with a southeast Kansas organization to support local entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Mon, 09/08/2025
Male monarchs throughout history portrayed as ‘mother’ figures, new research reveals
In a new article, Luis Corteguera, a professor of history at the University of Kansas, introduces the concept of “king as mother,” using biblical and classical sources and evidence from nature to explore gendered metaphors meant to shape the perception of male rulers across early modern Europe.
Fri, 09/05/2025
Osage artist wants to engage viewers in conversation
Norman Akers’ paintings on display at Temple Contemporary’s Edgar Heap of Birds Family Gallery raise issues of indigeneity, even as their surfaces beguile the viewer. They are the fruit of Akers’ spring 2025 residency in Philadelphia.
Thu, 09/04/2025
Study prompts new theory of human-machine communication
Because the modern workplace is inextricably interwoven with technology, two KU communication studies researchers have proposed a new theoretical approach they call “Socio-Technical Exchange” as an improvement upon the well-worn Social Exchange Theory that has dominated the field for decades. They spell it out in a new paper.
Wed, 09/03/2025
New book tells story of Kansas labor court that both flirted with fascism, stood up for workers' rights
KU professor Ben Merriman tells the story of the Kansas Court of Industrial Relations in a new book. The author shares how it was the only such court in the nation and the legacy it has for American labor law today.
Wed, 09/03/2025
KU School of Music announces the Bob and Becky Foster Trumpet Artist in Residence Program
The University of Kansas School of Music has announced the establishment of the Bob and Becky Foster Trumpet Artist in Residence, an endowed program made possible through a gift from longtime KU Director of Bands Robert Foster and his late wife, Becky.
Tue, 09/02/2025
Study: Cellophane bees are built for chill temperatures, more so than honeybees
Scholarship from the University of Kansas shows the cellophane bee is specialized by evolution to handle the harsh shocks and cold temperatures of early spring.