News
Book outlines how to move beyond reliance on student surveys to evaluate, improve college teaching
“Transforming College Teaching Evaluation,” a new book from scholars at the University of Kansas and colleague institutions, outlines a project that developed new ways to more fully evaluate the value of college teaching. The book details how three institutions developed a new, more robust method of evaluation that recognizes how to fully evaluate teaching and how schools can overcome resistance to implement the methods at their campuses.
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Thu, 10/23/2025
Dole Institute late fall 2025 programming features Croatian ambassador to the US, Cook Political Report editor, Wichita mayor
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas has announced its late fall 2025 programming, featuring conversations on foreign service and diplomacy, public service and domestic politics.
Thu, 10/23/2025
Job applicants suspicious of AI, so less said the better, research shows
A University of Kansas-led survey of job applicants shows they don’t believe artificial intelligence can account for human uniqueness. Thus, employers who use AI to screen candidates are best off not to mention it, according to the researchers.
Wed, 10/22/2025
KU School of Music to expand Vespers performances
The University of Kansas School of Music has announced details for the 101st annual Vespers concert, a cherished holiday tradition. This year’s celebration expands to new audiences with two special performances: a Thursday performance at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Lied Center of Kansas in Lawrence and a Friday performance Dec. 5 at Yardley Hall in Overland Park.
Tue, 10/21/2025
KU Libraries honor professors with Shulenburger Award for open-access scholarship
Jeffrey Girard and Rami Zeedan, two University of Kansas faculty members who championed open-access scholarship — one by creating widely used open-source software and tools, and the other by launching an open journal and textbook — have been named recipients of the 2025 Shulenburger Award for Innovation and Advocacy in Scholarly Communication by KU Libraries.
Tue, 10/21/2025
Professional stock recommendations on social media prove a surprisingly valuable source, according to new study
In a new article, Eric Weisbrod, associate professor of accounting at the University of Kansas, examines sell-side analysts’ stock recommendation revisions on Twitter, observing increased levels of price discovery during intraday windows with more revision-related tweets. This was especially notable for tweets with more user engagement and those posted by more influential authors.
Mon, 10/20/2025
University to host ribbon-cutting Nov. 12 for KU Conference Center
The event will be hosted by Chancellor Douglas A. Girod, with featured guests including Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, Kansas legislators, city of Lawrence officials and regional business leaders.
Mon, 10/20/2025
Study uses GPS technology to find football practices can be up to 40% more demanding than games
Quincy Johnson, a researcher at the University of Kansas, led a study that used GPS technology to track how far and fast football players run and which positions had the most high-intensity work. They compared the workloads of practices to games, and the findings can help coaches, trainers and athletes find the best balance to properly prepare for a demanding game.
Mon, 10/20/2025
KU Law ranks No. 5 in nation for best value law schools
National Jurist magazine has ranked KU Law No. 5 in the nation on its 2025 list of Best Value Law Schools, earning an A+ grade for its combination of affordability, strong employment outcomes and high bar passage rates.
Mon, 10/20/2025
Internationally recognized geotechnical engineer to deliver KU School of Engineering Glenn Lange Lecture
Edward Kavazanjian is a Regents Professor at Arizona State University’s School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment and a member of the National Academy of Engineering — one of the highest professional distinctions in the field. He will give a talk at KU on Oct. 27.
Fri, 10/17/2025
Classical music gets creepy with KPR’s Live Day
Broadcasting over seven hours of music live from the Kansas Public Radio station and the Lawrence Public Library, KPR Live Day on Oct. 24 will conclude with a special Halloween-themed concert.
Fri, 10/17/2025
KU Law to host lecture on public trust doctrine and environmental rights
The University of Kansas School of Law will host environmental law scholar Erin Ryan from Florida State University for a public lecture Oct. 30 as part of the Big 12 Law Schools Signature Lecture Series.
Fri, 10/17/2025
KU Counseling Psychology marks 70 years with 2025 Lichtenberg Lecture featuring Rod Goodyear
The University of Kansas School of Education & Human Sciences will welcome Rod Goodyear, renowned expert on clinical supervision, for the annual Lichtenberg Lecture on Nov. 7. The event coincides with the 70th anniversary celebration of KU's Counseling Psychology program.
Fri, 10/17/2025
School of Engineering to host 57th Annual Geotechnical Engineering Conference
On Nov. 6, the Department of Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering within the University of Kansas School of Engineering will host experts — including representatives from the Kansas Department of Transportation, academia and private industry — for the 57th Annual Geotechnical Engineering Conference.
Thu, 10/16/2025
KU Positive Psychotherapy Clinic doubles number of clinicians, provides service across Kansas
The Positive Psychotherapy Clinic in the University of Kansas School of Education & Human Sciences has served Kansans from 48 counties, with plans to continue growing services. Clinicians report seeing improvements in clients as early as the first session.
Thu, 10/16/2025
School of Music to present ‘The Dark Side of Oz: Re-Imagined’
The University of Kansas Department of Jazz and Commercial Music will stage a mind-bending musical journey with “The Dark Side of Oz: Re-Imagined.” The immersive live performance blending iconic rock, classic cinema and cutting-edge student artistry will take place at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Liberty Hall in downtown Lawrence.
Wed, 10/15/2025
Author Margaret Renkl to give fall 2025 Spencer Lecture
The Commons at the University of Kansas will host nonfiction writer Margaret Renkl for the Kenneth A. Spencer Lecture in conversation with Megan Kaminski, poet and professor of environmental studies, on Nov. 3. A second event that day will offer attendees a chance to visit Akin Prairie with Renkl, Kaminski and area land stewards.
Wed, 10/15/2025
History of Japan’s signature beverage sake shared in new book
Eric Rath, professor of history at the University of Kansas, explores the evolution of Japanese sake from homebrew to flavored varieties, while tracing its cultural significance and global rise, in his new book, “Kanpai: The History of Sake.”
Tue, 10/14/2025
Spencer Museum of Art curator aims to stimulate growing interest in Amazon
A bequest of 20th century Peruvian Amazonian artworks has advanced a Spencer Museum of Art curator’s plan for an exhibition focusing on the rainforest region, bolstering KU’s reputation as center for scholarship.
Tue, 10/14/2025
Study finds group reflective practice beneficial to planning commissions, staff, yet rarely used
A University of Kansas researcher conducted a study on how staffing reports for planning commissions could be improved. The results showed that group reflective practice, or simply making time for elected officials and staffers to discuss why they do what they do, can lead to better practice.
Mon, 10/13/2025
KU Debate wins University of Iowa tournament
The University of Kansas team of seniors Rose Larson, Milwaukee, and Luna Schultz, Houston, won the Baird Debate Tournament, a round-robin invitational for eight of the top teams in the country hosted by the University of Iowa.
Mon, 10/13/2025
Seventeen Dean’s Fellows to mentor first-year students for 2025-2026
Seventeen students from the University of Kansas School of Law have been chosen to be Dean’s Fellows for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Fri, 10/10/2025
New report presented to EPA evaluates future of ‘cumulative impact assessment’ on vulnerable communities
David Slusky, professor of economics at the University of Kansas, was chosen as one of 16 experts by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to convene state-of-the-science workshops and develop a consensus report presented to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a means of improving the scientific foundation underlying the practice of cumulative impact assessment.
Fri, 10/10/2025
KU social work training program strengthens mental health workforce in rural Kansas
The Integrated Health Scholars Program (IHSP) at the KU School of Social Welfare recently received a $2.4 million award through the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program, funded by the Health Resources & Services Administration.
Fri, 10/10/2025
KU distinguished professor will emphasize community partnerships and civic engagement in inaugural lecture
Hyunjin Seo will draw from her interdisciplinary research and long-term collaborations with community partners during her inaugural distinguished professor lecture, “From Digital Literacy to Civic Engagement: University-Community Partnerships for Economic Mobility and Community Capacity Building.” The lecture will take place Nov. 4.
Fri, 10/10/2025
Research gives insight into the effect of neurodegenerative diseases on speech rhythm
By studying in minute detail how amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, affects speech rhythm, a University of Kansas researcher hopes to improve personalized treatment. Panying Rong's research found that when subjects tried to speak more slowly than normal, it helped intelligibility more than trying to speak more clearly.
Thu, 10/09/2025
Kansas Economic Policy Conference to address water policy and its effects on the Kansas economy
Community and industry leaders, policymakers and scholars will gather at the University of Kansas in October to discuss how to share and protect one of Kansas’ most important resources: water. The 2025 Kansas Economic Policy Conference will take place Oct. 23 at the Burge Union with a livestream option.
Thu, 10/09/2025
KU Conference Center now accepting event bookings
The facility at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium offers 55,000 square feet of flexible event space for groups of 25 to 2,000 guests.
Thu, 10/09/2025
KU researchers part of project to create Midwest STEM Alliance
Researchers in KU's School of Education & Human Sciences have received grant funding to help create the Midwest STEM Alliance, which will partner with teachers across the state to “educate the educators” in using local climate data relevant to students' lives in work to improve science and literacy simultaneously.
Thu, 10/09/2025
Three KU Debate teams place among top 20 at national British parliamentary tournament
Three University of Kansas teams finished among the top 20 teams at an online British parliamentary tournament that took place Oct. 4-5 at the University of Alaska. There were 108 teams representing 27 colleges and universities at the national tournament.
Thu, 10/09/2025
Kelly Chrisman Jacques to serve as director for University Press of Kansas
Kelly Chrisman Jacques will be the next director of the University Press of Kansas, following an appointment by the UPK board of trustees. Chrisman Jacques will succeed Tim Paulson, whose last day will be Oct. 10.