News
Pandemic, election crises mark ‘critical events’ in declining democratic accountability standards, governance scholar writes
Christopher Koliba, University of Kansas public affairs and administration researcher, has published a new study examining how the COVID-19 pandemic response and perpetuation of false claims about the 2020 presidential election were critical events in declining democratic accountability standards. Scholars and others have important work to do in documenting such cases to learn the effects of democratic backsliding, according to Koliba.
More news
Fri, 01/16/2026
351st Basic Training Class graduates from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center
After 14 weeks of intensive training, 22 members of the 351st Basic Training Class at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center graduated, taking the oath of office in front of family, friends, and supporters.
Fri, 01/16/2026
KU professor leads project to document history, preserve KC-based movement to fight for better restaurant pay
Tadeo Weiner Davis, assistant professor of social welfare at the University of Kansas, earned a grant to preserve materials of Stand Up KC, a movement dedicated to earning better pay for fast food and casual restaurant workers, and record oral histories of those involved.
Fri, 01/16/2026
KU nominates 5 students for Goldwater Scholarship
Five KU students who have been actively involved in undergraduate research during their university careers are competing for Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships, regarded as the premier undergraduate award to encourage excellence in science, engineering and mathematics.
Thu, 01/15/2026
Professor’s ‘Complete Works’ preserves music of pioneering African American bandleader
KU Music scholar Colin Roust has published the first “Complete Works” of early 19th century African American bandleader and composer Francis Johnson. The work includes 282 songs, cotillions, quadrilles, waltzes and quick steps that comprised the popular dance music of Johnson’s day.
Wed, 01/14/2026
KU Libraries launches global speaker series on librarianship
The University of Kansas Libraries will launch "Global Conversations in Librarianship," a new speaker series highlighting international perspectives on libraries and information work, with Ukrainian library leader Tetyana Yaroshenko as the inaugural speaker Feb. 26.
Wed, 01/14/2026
Fractured family relationships increase susceptibility for polydrug use, study finds
In a new study, Jarron Saint Onge, professor of sociology at the University of Kansas, examines the relationship between using multiple types of drugs and social inequality among low-income Mexican American women.
Wed, 01/14/2026
Study shows how kidnapping of athlete's father influenced society, president across continents
Two media scholars at the University of Kansas have published a study analyzing media coverage of the 2023 kidnapping of soccer star Luis "Lucho" Diaz's father.
Tue, 01/13/2026
Long-running research center in Kansas City celebrated in scholarly journal
Juniper Gardens Children’s Project, part of the Life Span Institute at the University of Kansas, is the focus of a special issue of the peer-reviewed journal Education and Treatment of Children.
Tue, 01/13/2026
KU Engineering department inducts two alumni into CEAE Academy
The Department of Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering has inducted two new alumni into the department’s CEAE Academy. Phil Gibbs Sr., class of 1966 and 1967, and Gerardo Prado, class of 1995, have been selected as this year’s inductees.
Mon, 01/12/2026
Alan Allgeier named director of KU’s Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis
Alan Allgeier, Don W. Green Professor of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, has been named director of the Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis at KU, effective immediately.
The CEBC works to develop cleaner, safer, energy-efficient technologies that protect the planet and human health while training the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Mon, 01/12/2026
$8 million gift establishes KU’s first named deanship and two professorships in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
A gift from alumnus David Pittaway will create the first named deanship at KU. His $8 million gift establishes the David B. Pittaway Deanship in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences as well as two professorships named in honor of his late parents: the Alan Ralph Pittaway Professorship in Chemistry and the JoAnne Kenney Pittaway Professorship in the Humanities.
Mon, 01/12/2026
KU launches new Bachelor of Science in Nutrition to meet growing demand for food and health expertise
The University of Kansas will offer a new Bachelor of Science in Nutrition in fall 2026, reflecting the increasing recognition of the essential connections among food, well-being and disease prevention.
Mon, 01/12/2026
New book aims to make gamification simple for higher education professionals
Two University of Kansas scholars began using gamification in their teacher prep courses and had enough success that they decided to write a book dedicated to helping other educators with the strategy. The result was "Gamification Made Simple: A Guide for Higher Education Professionals."
Fri, 01/09/2026
KU study shows that species-diverse systems like prairies have built-in protection
Six years into a study on the effect of plant pathogens in grasslands, University of Kansas researchers have the data to show that species diversity — a hallmark of native prairies — works as a protective shield: It drives growth and sustains the health of species-diverse ecosystems over time, functioning somewhat like an immune system.
Wed, 01/07/2026
Dole Institute spring 2026 programming to commemorate America at 250
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics has announced the start of its 2026 programming year with a slate of events, programs and exhibits that feature conversations reflecting on the nation’s history, culture and future in honor of America at 250. Programming also will include other timely discussions on public service leadership, world and military history, and socioeconomic issues.
Wed, 01/07/2026
Scholar says censorship was constant struggle during Spanish Inquisition
Contributing a chapter to the new book “The Cambridge Companion to the Spanish Inquisition,” a University of Kansas professor stresses the limits of the Spanish Inquisition’s ability to control literature and free thought. “The key takeaway is still valid today — that when you prohibit things, it makes them more attractive,” Patricia Manning said.
Mon, 01/05/2026
New publication analyzes energy value, chemistry of natural gas deposits in central, western Kansas
A new publication from the Kansas Geological Survey offers the most in-depth research to date into the origin and migration of natural gas sources in central and western Kansas. It also provides guidance for future energy research and development efforts.
Mon, 01/05/2026
KU professor Donna Ginther receives Carolyn Shaw Bell Award from the American Economic Association
The American Economic Association awarded the 2025 Carolyn Shaw Bell Award to Donna Ginther, Roy A. Roberts & Regents Distinguished Professor of Economics and director of the Institute for Policy & Social Research at the University of Kansas.
Mon, 01/05/2026
Victor Gonzalez Betancourt named curator in bee biodiversity and evolution
The Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum at the University of Kansas has named Victor Gonzalez Betancourt as the inaugural Charles D. Michener Assistant Professor and Assistant Curator in Bee Biodiversity and Evolution. He will begin his role in early January 2026 with a joint faculty appointment in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology.
Fri, 12/19/2025
Experiment nixes ‘sterile’ neutrino explanation of previous unexpected measurements
Experimental particle physicists working at the MicroBooNE experiment at Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory have found evidence against the existence of a “sterile” type of neutrino hypothesized to be responsible for previous experiments’ anomalous results, as detailed in a paper recently published in Nature.
Fri, 12/19/2025
Kansas Geological Survey assistant scientist receives early career award
Kansas Geological Survey assistant scientist Sam Zipper is the recipient of this year's Hydrologic Sciences Early Career Award from the Hydrology Section of the American Geophysical Union. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to hydrology through research, education or societal impacts.
Thu, 12/18/2025
Grant launches initiative to integrate faith perspectives into health education
The Department of Religious Studies at the University of Kansas received a $60,000, two-year grant from the nonprofit group Interfaith America to create partnerships with community groups addressing the spiritual connection to health issues.
Wed, 12/17/2025
Grant to expand community-based research project focused on people with mobility disabilities
With new federal funding, a University of Kansas project is expanding access to exercise for people with disabilities. Life Span Institute researcher Lyndsie Koon says the community-based functional fitness program has shown strong results.
Wed, 12/17/2025
Kansas Geological Survey, state agency to measure groundwater levels in western Kansas
A crew from the Kansas Geological Survey, based at the University of Kansas, along with staff from three field offices of the Kansas Department of Agriculture's Division of Water Resources will be in western Kansas to measure groundwater levels the first week of January 2026, weather permitting.
Wed, 12/17/2025
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.
Wed, 12/17/2025
KU scholar’s work comes alive as empire-building video game character
A few years ago, Amal El Haimeur could hardly find any information about the 16th century “pirate queen” of Morocco. After the University of Kansas professor published her research, Sayyida al-Hurra became a character in a leading video game.
Tue, 12/16/2025
Superman’s bygone battle with hate group provides strategy for thwarting modern conspiracy theories
In a new book chapter, Colin McRoberts, associate teaching professor of business at the University of Kansas, traces the story of Superman’s battle with the Ku Klux Klan in a 1946 radio serial and suggests it may provide strategies for thwarting the damage done by conspiracy theories.
Tue, 12/16/2025
University of Kansas Wind Ensemble releases new album ‘Midnight Sun’
The University of Kansas School of Music has announced the release of the KU Wind Ensemble’s newest album, “Midnight Sun,” recorded in spring 2024 at the Lied Center of Kansas and available across all major streaming platforms.
Mon, 12/15/2025
KU Kudos December 2025: Celebrating Jayhawk achievements
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.
Mon, 12/15/2025
A clerical error caused misidentification of frog specimen that once stood for an entire species
Researchers at the University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum recently uncovered a slipup from decades ago: the misidentification of a poison frog specimen from Peru used as a holotype.