News
Humanlike design of AI voice assistants helps users disregard security risks, study finds
New research from Andrew Chen, Ronald G. Harper Professor at the University of Kansas School of Business, finds that humanlike voice qualities significantly increase perceived enjoyment of artificial intelligence-based voice assistants, which in turn reduces both perceived security risk and user intention to discontinue using the tool.
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Wed, 10/14/2026
Bering Land Bridge base camp reveals what life was like nearly 14,000 years ago
In a new article, Kelly Graf, professor of anthropology at the University of Kansas, highlights the research her team did excavating an early base camp in Beringia from 13,800 years ago, revealing important information about late-glacial peopling and settling-in behavior in this far northern setting.
Wed, 10/14/2026
Governor will speak at KU’s 50th annual Kansas Economic Policy Conference
State lawmakers, experts and policymakers will convene at the University of Kansas for its 50th Kansas Economic Policy Conference. The 2026 event will address the “Future of the Kansas Economy,” with a talk by Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly.
Wed, 10/14/2026
KU Law professor writes book on negotiation skills
Stephen Ware, a University of Kansas professor of law, has written the book “Principles of Negotiation, Mediation, and Other Processes of Dispute Resolution,” a book aimed at helping law students and practitioners understand how to negotiate, the different approaches and why it’s a vital skill.
Wed, 10/14/2026
KU presentation will share story of Lawrence native, Met Opera singer Beatrice Belkin
A University of Kansas faculty member’s Nov. 8 discussion will trace how a Jewish teenager’s early years in Lawrence led to the Met stage.
Wed, 10/14/2026
Bales Choral Society to perform with professional vocal ensemble
The KU Bales Choral Society will join Prometheus: An American Vocal Consort for “A People United: The Human Spirit in Song” on Oct. 22 at the Lied Center of Kansas.
Tue, 10/13/2026
Gerri Berendzen to give Budig Writing Lecture on the value of revision in the age of AI
Gerri Berendzen, lecturer in the William Allen White School of Journalism & Mass Communications and coordinator of the Bremner Editing Center, will present “When Writing and Editing Meet: The Growing Value of Revision” at 2 p.m. Nov. 2.
Tue, 10/13/2026
Dean Carol Smith elected to Association of Research Libraries board of directors
KU Libraries Dean Carol Smith was elected to the 2027 board of directors of the Association of Research Libraries during the association’s fall meeting in Alexandria, Virginia. She will begin her three-year term Jan. 1, 2027.
Mon, 10/12/2026
KU Engineering to host 58th Annual Geotechnical Engineering Conference
On Nov. 12, the University of Kansas Department of Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering will host experts in the field of geotechnical engineering for a conference exploring the latest developments in the field.
Mon, 10/12/2026
KU launches Higher Learning Commission Accreditation 2029 mid-cycle review
In a little more than two years, the University of Kansas will undergo evaluation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to verify the institution continues to meet accreditation standards. On Oct. 6, members from various KU campuses met in the Kansas Union to formally begin the process.
Fri, 10/09/2026
KU physicist Daniel Tapia Takaki named American Physical Society fellow
Founded in 1899, the American Physical Society honors members with the designation of fellow for significant accomplishments in physics. Tapia Takaki was recommended for the honor by the society’s Division of Nuclear Physics.
Fri, 10/09/2026
2026 Gene A. Budig Lecture will explore teacher identity through multimodal writing
Hyesun Cho, professor in the Department of Curriculum & Teaching, will present “Teacher Identity, Emotion, and Agency Through Multimodal Writing” at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 13 in Room 150 of Joseph R. Pearson Hall. A reception will begin at 4 p.m.
Thu, 10/08/2026
KU aerospace engineering student wins first place in international aircraft design competition
The win marks the KU aerospace engineering department’s 109th award in American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics competitions dating back 50 years.
Thu, 10/08/2026
KU eating disorders research center to welcome the public with open house and resource fair
The Center for the Advancement of Research on Eating Behaviors at the Life Span Institute recently moved to Youngberg Hall on the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence.
Wed, 10/07/2026
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.
Wed, 10/07/2026
Spencer Museum’s Backyard Bash returns Oct. 11 to celebrate art and nature in Marvin Grove
The Spencer Museum of Art Backyard Bash, an outdoor and indoor celebration of art and nature, returns from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 11. The free, all-ages community event will take place at the museum as well as in KU’s historic Marvin Grove.
Wed, 10/07/2026
KU Distinguished Professor will explore how deep-space signals reach Earth
Erik Perrins will deliver his inaugural distinguished professor lecture, “Finding the Signal in the Noise: The Hidden Magic of Error Correcting Codes in Deep-Space Radios,” on Nov. 11.
Mon, 10/05/2026
363rd Basic Training Class graduates from Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center
Sixteen officers graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center, based at the University of Kansas, on Oct. 2. They were members of the KLETC 363rd Basic Training Class and represented 12 law enforcement agencies across the state.
Mon, 10/05/2026
KU student Kenzie Besgrove honored as Newman Civic Fellow
Kenzie Besgrove, a University of Kansas junior in speech-language-hearing, was named a member of the 2026-2027 Newman Civic Fellow cohort. Newman programming emphasizes personal, professional and civic growth that empowers fellows to collaborate effectively and create large-scale positive change.
Mon, 10/05/2026
KU Department of Mathematics will host 2 conferences
The Department of Mathematics at the University of Kansas, is hosting two research conferences in October focusing on commutative algebra and analysis.
Fri, 10/02/2026
New KLETC facilities expand law enforcement training capabilities
The University of Kansas celebrated the opening of two new facilities at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center near Hutchinson with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 2, marking a major milestone in expanding training opportunities for Kansas law enforcement and public safety partners.
Fri, 10/02/2026
Research finds sibling aggression to be common, though often dismissed as ‘normal’
Although sibling aggression is widespread and can shape people for years, it hasn’t been studied well by psychological researchers. In a new study, KU researchers have found roughly 1 in 6 children reported using or threatening physical force to dominate a sibling, while about 1 in 8 said they had threatened or bullied a sibling to get something.
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.