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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Wed, 09/24/2025
Distinguished professor to discuss water and property rights in inaugural lecture
Robin Kundis Craig, the Robert A. Schroeder Distinguished Professor of Law, will present her lecture on private property rights and environmental protection on Oct. 20.
Tue, 09/23/2025
KU moves up in latest U.S. News & World Report rankings
The University of Kansas moved up seven spots to No. 74 among public universities in this year’s U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” rankings, released Sept. 23.
Mon, 09/22/2025
KU Spotlight on Faculty Excellence honorees announced for 2025-26 academic year
The Spotlight on Faculty Excellence recognizes faculty contributions in research, scholarship and creative activity. Each honoree is recognized during a KU Athletics event.
Mon, 09/22/2025
KU scholars outline ‘death and rebirth of research in education in the age of AI’
In a scholarly article for ECNU Review of Education, University of Kansas faculty write about persistent problems in educational research that have hindered the field. KU researchers also outline how the age of artificial intelligence presents an opportunity to reinvent practices to improve education for all.
Fri, 09/19/2025
KU center hosts conference, online presentations on colonialism in Central America
KU's Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies has published video from a scholarly summer conference that gathered Indigenous and Afro-Central American leaders from all seven Central American countries. Those leaders presented on the current situation of their groups in historical perspective.
Fri, 09/19/2025
Google to kick off weeklong KU event on AI in education and research
On Sept. 29, Google will host “Falling into AI,” a weeklong event that invites the Jayhawk community to engage with researchers and industry leaders across the university working with artificial intelligence.
Thu, 09/18/2025
KU scholars named 2025 Faculty of the Year by Kansas Board of Regents
The program recognizes the outstanding contributions of faculty at state universities to teaching, student success, research and Kansas communities. KU faculty winners are Vitaly Chernetsky, David O. Johnson, Dinesh Pal Mudaranthakam, Laurie Steen and Sufi Mary Thomas.
Thu, 09/18/2025
KU community will gather to celebrate the renewal of Potter Lake on Sept. 26
A makeover last year enhanced and preserved the beloved 114-year-old Lawrence campus icon for generations to come. The KU community will gather at 3 p.m. Sept. 26 at an event that will include a cardboard boat regatta.
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.