News
KU researchers will evaluate program aimed at supporting adoptive families
Researchers in the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare have received a $1.8 million federal grant to evaluate FosterAdopt Connect, a program that supports adoptive parents and children to prevent disruptions or dissolutions of adoptions among families in Kansas and Missouri.
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Fri, 10/02/2026
Higher education needs better understanding of relationship between AI and literacy, article argues
In a new article, Sean Kamperman, assistant professor of English at the University of Kansas, critiques the uncritical adoption of artificial intelligence education frameworks by exposing the false promises and historical distortions used to sell them.
Fri, 10/02/2026
New Care Board data release offers up-to-date insights on care within households and in the labor market
Newly released data on The Care Board will expand the type of data and methods available for understanding the care economy in the United States. Developed by researchers at the University of Kansas, the Care Board publishes statistics from several high-quality sources to show the magnitude of care work inside homes and care jobs as a share of the national economy.
Fri, 10/02/2026
KU leading partnership to develop new special education leaders across the country
KU has landed a $3.6 million grant to lead Project ALIGNS, designed to prepare the next generation of special education leaders. Along with Howard University and the University of Kentucky, KU will work to produce new educators, researchers, faculty, policymakers and systems leaders in special education.
Thu, 10/01/2026
Isaac Melanson receives inaugural endowed professorship in applied behavioral science
Isaac Melanson, an assistant professor of applied behavioral science whose research specializes in helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has been chosen as the inaugural recipient of the Donald M. Baer and Elsie M. Pinkston Endowed Professorship.
Wed, 09/30/2026
KU Debate teams excel at Kentucky tournaments
Multiple University of Kansas Debate teams placed in the top five at a pair of tournaments hosted by the University of Kentucky this past week.
Wed, 09/30/2026
KU achieves record-high enrollment for third straight year
The University of Kansas has achieved its highest overall enrollment in history for the third straight year, according to annual data released Sept. 30.
Wed, 09/30/2026
Spencer Research Library to showcase historic Kiowa artwork
Nearly a century ago, a group of Kiowa artists gained international attention for an artistic vision that challenged convention and offered a distinctly Kiowa perspective. Kenneth Spencer Research Library is featuring the “Kiowa Indian Art” portfolio in a new exhibit, “Cáuigù Gù:t,” which debuts Oct. 10. Visitors can learn more about the collection and hear from the curator.
Tue, 09/29/2026
JMC students provide front-row coverage of historic Union Jack Classic in London
As college football made its debut at London's Wembley Stadium, eight William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications students were there to tell the story.
Mon, 09/28/2026
Indigenous Peoples Day celebration returns to the KU Osher Institute
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Kansas will host its annual Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 12 at the KU Innovation Park Auditorium.
Mon, 09/28/2026
KU School of Education & Human Sciences launches online master’s in higher education administration
The University of Kansas School of Education & Human Sciences is launching a fully online M.S.E in Higher Education Administration housed within the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies. The program builds on KU’s established in-person higher education administration graduate degree.
Mon, 09/28/2026
KU Field Station will host biennial Visitors’ Day Oct. 3
The University of Kansas Field Station will open its core research area to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 3. The event is held every two years, and members of the public will be welcomed behind the scenes to tour restricted-access research areas at the Field Station and learn about ongoing research projects.
Mon, 09/28/2026
Study finds online educational resources present imperialism in positive light, put students in inappropriate discussions
University of Kansas researchers have published a study that found popular online educational resources for social studies overwhelmingly present imperialism in a positive light. They also often take a “balance sheet” approach that can ask inappropriate questions of students.
Fri, 09/25/2026
KU receives $5.8 million NIH Phase 3 COBRE funding for Chemical Biology of Infectious Disease center
The Chemical Biology of Infectious Disease center recruits, mentors and supports investigators across the University of Kansas, KU Medical Center, Kansas State, Wichita State and other regional partners as they address urgent challenges in infectious disease and antibiotic resistance using chemical-biology approaches.
Fri, 09/25/2026
Student artists recognized at KU Libraries’ celebration of 2026 LibArt exhibition
KU Libraries’ LibArt program, a year-round, juried exhibition of student art displayed throughout library spaces, celebrated a diverse exhibit of student work and recognized award recipients Sept. 17 at a reception in Watson Library.
Fri, 09/25/2026
Coffeyville teams up with KU to develop long-term community action plan
A southeast Kansas school district’s need for a renewed strategic plan was the catalyst for the first Community Futures Planning workshop in Kansas.
Thu, 09/24/2026
New department name reflects KU School of Engineering’s growing strength in energy
The University of Kansas Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering has been renamed the Department of Chemical & Energy Engineering. The department’s two degree programs — chemical engineering and petroleum engineering — will remain unchanged.
Thu, 09/24/2026
KU College of Liberal Arts & Sciences announces Department of Earth, Energy & Environment
KU's new academic department will combine the departments of Geography & Atmospheric Science and Geology and the Environmental Studies Program. The merger aims to strengthen collaboration while preserving each program’s identity and degree requirements.
Thu, 09/24/2026
Grocery returns lead to greater customer engagement and increase in sales, research finds
In new research, Kissan Joseph, Crown/Sherr Professor at the University of Kansas School of Business, finds that following a product return at a grocery store, customer engagement rises significantly, driving a 40.1% increase in subsequent sales.
Wed, 09/23/2026
Researcher will examine galactic evolution with new ‘Roman’ space telescope
A University of Kansas researcher will co-direct one of the major debut experiments of the latest space telescope, called GRACE: the Grism Reionization and Cosmic Evolution Survey.
Wed, 09/23/2026
21 University of Kansas students selected for the 2026 Millennium Fellowship class
Selected from a record-breaking 76,000 applicants from more than 6,000 campuses worldwide, 21 University of Kansas students were recently chosen for the 2026 Millennium Fellowship, a leadership development program that partners with the United Nations Academic Impact and is overseen by the Millennium Campus Network.
Wed, 09/23/2026
2026 Lelon Capps Lecture will explore effective mathematics instruction and teacher preparation
The KU School of Education & Human Sciences will welcome Angela Barlow, dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies and professor of mathematics education at the University of South Alabama, as the 2026 Lelon Capps featured lecturer. She will give a talk at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 28.
Tue, 09/22/2026
Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center to celebrate completion of Phase I of the Campus Master Plan with ribbon-cutting ceremony
The Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, based at the University of Kansas, invites the media to celebrate the completion of Phase I of its Campus Master Plan with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 2 at the campus near Yoder.
Tue, 09/22/2026
KU holds steady at No. 74 among publics in latest U.S. News & World Report rankings
For the second consecutive year, the University of Kansas is ranked No. 74 among public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” rankings, released today.
Tue, 09/22/2026
KU Libraries to host KU alum, American Girl author Angela Cervantes for Hispanic Heritage Month
Angela Cervantes, the Jayhawk behind American Girl’s 2026 Girl of the Year character, Raquel Reyes, will return to the University of Kansas on Oct. 17 for a free family event celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
Mon, 09/21/2026
KU researchers detail successes, challenges of practices to help autistic students transition out of high school
Researchers at the Kansas University Center on Disabilities and special education colleagues are publishing a series of studies in a special journal issue detailing the successes and challenges of two evidence-based practices to help autistic students make the transition from high school.
Mon, 09/21/2026
KU Theatre & Dance season opens with ‘Songs for a New World’
The contemporary musical by Jason Robert Brown shows off KU students’ singing talents and offers audiences variety through song, dance and scene changes. All cast members are students and will be accompanied by professional musicians from the Lawrence and Kansas City communities.
Fri, 09/18/2026
$1.9M grant will support KU research on boosting drought tolerance in crops
A new National Science Foundation grant will bring $1.9 million to KU to test specific types of microscopic soil fungi for their potential to build drought tolerance in wheat and rice.
Fri, 09/18/2026
Two Lawrence-based filmmakers among recipients of 2026 Rocket Grants
Filmmakers Lourdes Kalusha-Aguirre and Sean Kenealy are among the 10 recipients of this year's Rocket Grants. Each recipient will receive $6,000 for a total of $60,000 in funding for public art projects in the Lawrence and Kansas City area.
Thu, 09/17/2026
Kansas Board of Regents recognizes ‘outstanding contributions’ of six KU employees
The board’s program recognizes faculty and staff at Kansas universities for their contributions to teaching, student success, research, institutional excellence and Kansas communities.
Thu, 09/17/2026
KU Kudos: Faculty and staff achievements, September 2026
It’s time to celebrate Jayhawk colleagues’ achievements: KU News Service accepted submissions and combed websites, social media and newsletters for recent external honors and awards for current faculty and staff at the Lawrence, Edwards and Medical Center campuses and affiliates.