News
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.
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Tue, 06/09/2026
Statewide partnership to help improve literacy rates evaluates school readiness, educator training
KU researchers are working to address declining literacy rates in Kansas schools, where just 1 out of 3 students are reaching grade-level proficiency. The goal through the state's Blueprint for Literacy initiative is to reach 90% proficiency for students across Kansas.
Tue, 06/09/2026
Research examines how asexual, aromantic individuals view intimacy to improve education, counseling
Research from KU is examining how aromantic and asexual individuals view intimacy to better understand how they view relationships, to better understand themselves and to improve everything from relationship education, sexual assault prevention and counseling for all people. The improvement could also help address the mental health crisis among young people.
Tue, 06/09/2026
2026 KU microbiology graduate Lauren Reimer awarded KU Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship
Lauren Reimer, a 2026 University of Kansas graduate in microbiology, is the winner of this year’s James Blackiston Memorial Graduate Fellowship from the KU chapter of Phi Kappa Phi. She is the chapter’s nominee for a national Phi Kappa Phi fellowship.
Mon, 06/08/2026
2026 KU seniors honor high school teachers with Wolfe Teaching Excellence Awards
Educators from Blue Valley West High School and Topeka High School in Kansas and from Mundelein High School in Illinois are recipients of annual teaching awards from graduating KU seniors.
Mon, 06/08/2026
KU’s Spencer Museum welcomes the world with installation, programs for summer of soccer
The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas has a special installation highlighting art from the countries playing and staying in the Kansas City area this summer for the world’s premier international soccer competition.
Wed, 06/03/2026
US tobacco firms used cigarette-selling tactics to globally market ultraprocessed foods
A new study from the University of Kansas details how U.S. tobacco corporations expanded into global food markets from the mid-1980s to the mid-2000s, using strategies honed through cigarette sales to market ultraprocessed foods, which are industrially processed and contain ingredients and additives that maximize their appeal.
Wed, 06/03/2026
More than a century of KU student journalism now freely available online
KU Libraries have digitized more than 140 years of University of Kansas student newspapers, from the first campus publication in 1878 through 2017, making the collection freely available through Kenneth Spencer Research Library’s digital repository.
Tue, 06/02/2026
Studies show that mentoring can also benefit the mentors decades after experiences
Mary Fry, professor of educational psychology at KU, has co-written two studies that examined mentoring programs. One found that the Strong Girls program benefited those providing the guidance to young girls 10 years after their experience, and another found “sideways mentoring” among peers helped scholars for as long as 20 years.
Tue, 06/02/2026
Research could lead to cheaper, better testing for ‘forever chemicals’ in US drinking water
A new investigation from the University of Kansas improves detection of PFAS, a family of so-called “forever chemicals” in drinking water supplies. The method, which can measure such trace pollution levels of PFAS in water more quickly and inexpensively than current techniques, recently was published in the open-source journal PLOS Water.
Tue, 06/02/2026
KU exhibition explores global impact of sports design ahead of 2026 World Cup
The University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design will present “Shaping the Future of Football,” an exhibition in Kansas City highlighting the region’s global role in sports architecture. Featuring World Cup stadium models, student design work and emerging technologies, the show explores how architecture, data and design are transforming the future of the game.
Tue, 06/02/2026
American Constitution Society honors KU Law student and chapter with national recognition
The American Constitution Society has recognized the University of Kansas School of Law and one of its student leaders with national honors for leadership and programming.
Mon, 06/01/2026
University of Kansas launches Center for Workplace Excellence to empower organizations across Kansas City
The Center for Workplace Excellence supports career development in the Greater Kansas City area, helping businesses and nonprofit organizations strengthen workforce skills, improve organizational effectiveness and navigate today’s rapidly changing workplace environment.
Mon, 06/01/2026
KU Student Affairs announces return of Homecoming Parade
The first University of Kansas Homecoming parade in seven years will take place Oct. 23, part of the 2026 Homecoming events. The parade will be led by Student Affairs in partnership with KU Alumni, Kansas Athletics Inc. and Jayhawk Community Partners.
Mon, 06/01/2026
Kansas science teachers to take part in immersive program at KU Field Station
Ten secondary school science teachers from Kansas will converge this week at the University of Kansas Field Station, just north of Lawrence. They’ll take part in the Ecosystems of Kansas Summer Institute, an annual immersive program that gives secondary educators the chance to work with KU scientists to explore resources and gain new ideas for their classrooms.
Mon, 06/01/2026
Love of language and libraries leads KU graduate to Rubinstein/Mason scholarship
What started as a fondness for libraries and a curiosity about Korean hangul — the writing system and alphabet used for Korean language — has grown into a calling. University of Kansas graduate Daphne Tibbetts has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Rubinstein/Mason Award to support graduate study in library science, with her sights set on becoming a Korean studies librarian.
Fri, 05/29/2026
KU parking restrictions to increase ahead of World Cup
This summer, the University of Kansas will require a valid parking permit for all Lawrence campus lots, including those zoned for housing. Overnight parking on campus will also require a valid permit.
Fri, 05/29/2026
KU Department of Theatre & Dance announces 2026 award winners
The Department of Theatre & Dance's creative, public-facing work and scholarship culminated in an awards ceremony earlier this month where 30 Jayhawks received departmental honors, including students from the Lawrence, Topeka, Overland Park, Shawnee, Wichita and Kansas City areas.
Fri, 05/29/2026
CREES announces 2026 Laird Essay Contest winners
University of Kansas students Naomi Galindo and Dagan Fultz have won the graduate and undergraduate divisions of the contest for their entries in the annual Laird Essay Contest, sponsored by the Center for Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies.
Thu, 05/28/2026
Educators reveal creative strategies for collegiate classroom in new book
In a new book, Deborah Elizabeth Whaley, a professor of American Studies and English at the University of Kansas, introduces compelling creative techniques from multiple disciples that enhance learning and support professional development experiences for college students and faculty alike.
Wed, 05/27/2026
University announces 2026 Kemper Fellows for Teaching Excellence
This spring, five faculty members from the University of Kansas Lawrence campus who exemplify innovation, expertise and leadership in the classroom were named recipients of the William T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence.
Wed, 05/27/2026
Poet and scholar argues attention to place is one of the most urgent practices of our time
“Living Roots: The Promise of Perennial Foods” (Princeton University Press) makes a cultural argument as much as an agricultural one: that perennial foods — crops that return year after year, building deep root systems and healthier soil — represent not just a different way of farming but a different way of belonging to the earth. The collection includes a contribution from Megan Kaminski, poet and professor of environmental studies at the University of Kansas.
Wed, 05/27/2026
Students in new KU course participate in NATO simulation
University of Kansas students recently had the opportunity to participate in a NATO simulation exercise, presented in cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Allied Command Transformation. The experience was part of a Model NATO class offered through the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
Tue, 05/26/2026
Eleven KU Law students honored for scholarship, leadership and service
Eleven University of Kansas School of Law students received awards during the spring 2026 semester for distinguishing themselves in scholarship, leadership and service to the law school and the community.
Tue, 05/26/2026
Decline in local newspapers reshapes corporate social responsibility, research finds
In a new article, Jun Ho Lee, assistant professor of strategy and international business at the University of Kansas, finds that the decline of local newspapers reduces both external oversight and public visibility, weakening the demand for companies to maintain corporate social responsibility engagement.
Fri, 05/22/2026
357th Basic Training Class completes training at KLETC
Friends and family gathered at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center to watch 23 graduates take the oath and walk across the stage in Integrity Hall, marking the beginning of their careers in law enforcement.
Fri, 05/22/2026
KU recognizes 11 students with 2026 University Awards
The University of Kansas has awarded 11 students with honors that recognize community engagement, leadership and academics. The University Awards, among the most prestigious awards presented at KU, were established to recognize students who embody service excellence, dedication or whose academic achievements are stellar.
Fri, 05/22/2026
KU scientists’ group gathers to welcome new fellows
On May 4, KU American Association for the Advancement of Science fellows met to network and welcome three newly elected members. Chancellor Douglas A. Girod recognized the KU inductees: Chris Beard, Jianming Qiu and Michael Wolfe.
Wed, 05/20/2026
Dole Institute of Politics announces summer America at 250 programming
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas announced today its summer programming lineup in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence on July 4. All events are free and open to the public.
Wed, 05/20/2026
KU Law earns third consecutive national transactional law title
A team from the University of Kansas School of Law extended KU Law’s winning streak this spring, earning top honors for the third consecutive year at the Wayne State Taft Transactional Law Invitational. Third-year law student Kaegan Cowan and second-year law student Emily Weiss brought home one of the competition’s top prizes — best draft.
Tue, 05/19/2026
KU-led ‘Wall of Wind’ research ongoing; findings tie in to tornado season
Elaina Sutley, Diane M. Darvin Chair’s Council Associate Professor of Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering at the University of Kansas, is leading the research, which aims to make it plain to federal regulators why the nationwide building code for manufactured homes needs an update.