Featured news at KU

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Study finds people more cynical toward news more likely to believe misinformation

3D render illustration of a natural killer body cell in response to a coronavirus cell

Study reveals common mutation linked to autoimmune diseases may protect people from viral infections

Seen from the back of a classroom, a student raises his hand as the teacher calls on him from the chalkboard.

Study shows comprehension intervention, working memory predict math achievement in English learners

University of Kansas professor Michael Orosco led a study that found an intervention designed to improve students' reading comprehension boosted math achievement. Additionally, his research tied strong working memory to word problem-solving abilities.

Other featured news

An image from the perspective of the back of a classroom undergoing a math lesson. A student raises his hand as the teacher calls on him from the chalkboard.

Study shows comprehension intervention, working memory predict math achievement in English learners

University of Kansas professor Michael Orosco led a study that found an intervention designed to improve students' reading comprehension boosted math achievement. Additionally, his research tied strong working memory to word problem-solving abilities.
A panel of a comic version of a research paper analyzing academic conference travel. The lead text box reads "Rather than accepting what has been normalized, we can come together and imagine alternatives." A character asks "What are alternatives to academic conferences?" Other parts of the illustration offer text reading "Shifting completely to online conferences or even holding in-person meetings every other year," "Choosing locations that minimize air travel. Research shows choosing a central city like Chicago instead of coastal cities could cut emissions by 12%" and "Smaller regional hub in person meeting that is also connected online."

Study analyzes environmental impacts of academic conference travel, encourages rethinking alternatives

A study led by a University of Kansas researcher has analyzed the environmental effects of air travel to academic conferences. The study does not call for an end to academic travel but rather to rethink how such gatherings are arranged and held, especially in fields like social welfare, that are dedicated to environmental justice.
A painting from depicts Jews from Imperial Russia with their bags packed looking across the ocean in hope of finding freedom and reuniting with fellow Jews in the United States.

Restrictions on emigration equally important as immigration in shaping European borders, research finds

In a new article, Erik Scott, the John P. Black Professor of History at the University of Kansas, challenges the traditional focus on immigration to look at how restrictions on emigration have helped define the borders of Central and Eastern Europe since the 19th century.
Helicopter on the ground with a large circular instrument laying out in front of it.

Airborne electromagnetic survey of Ogallala aquifer conditions planned in southwest Kansas

Beginning in late May and continuing until late July, residents of southwest Kansas may see a low-flying helicopter towing a large hexagonal frame. This aerial arrangement is part of a project to map groundwater conditions in the Ogallala aquifer in Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District (GMD) 3.

Research

KU doctoral student receives Cobell Fellowship

Annalise Guthrie, a University of Kansas doctoral candidate in ecology & evolutionary biology, has been named a recipient of the Elouise Cobell Dissertation Writing-Year Fellowship. The award provides $30,000 in support over 12 months to American Indian and Alaska Native scholars who are completing their doctoral dissertations.

Restrictions on emigration equally important as immigration in shaping European borders, research finds

In a new article, Erik Scott, the John P. Black Professor of History at the University of Kansas, challenges the traditional focus on immigration to look at how restrictions on emigration have helped define the borders of Central and Eastern Europe since the 19th century.
More Research
Whiskey distillers discuss their process at a panel discussion at KU's Spencer Research Library

Engineering professor charts unexpected career path from thermodynamics to whiskey barrels

Chris Depcik, University of Kansas professor of mechanical engineering, has created a solution to help distillers better predict how spirits mature inside a barrel.
More Research

Kansas Communities

KU expanding job opportunities for disabled Kansans through state investment

University of Kansas researchers have launched the second phase of the Kansas Employment First project, expanding access to competitive integrated employment for Kansans with disabilities.

Lost history recovered: KU digital humanities team adds missing pages to The Call archives

In a cardboard box tucked away in an office in the 18th and Vine District, a decade of Kansas City history was slowly turning into a collection of unreadable plastic circles. A KU librarian and three undergraduate students stepped in to preserve the archives from The Call.
More Kansas Communities
Kansas officers stand at attention during Police Week memorial ceremony.

KLETC honors fallen officers during Police Week memorial service

Students, faculty, and staff at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center gathered May 12 in Integrity Hall to honor fallen law enforcement officers who graduated from KLETC during a memorial service recognizing National Police Week.
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Economic Development

KU research growth boosts Kansas communities, fuels economy

Research and development expenditures spanning all University of Kansas campuses climbed to $610.6 million in fiscal year 2025, surpassing the previous record of $546.1 million by 12% and marking a full decade of sustained research growth.

KU research-trained employees fuel economy, meet critical workforce demands in Kansas and beyond, report shows

A recent report from the Institute for Research on Innovation & Science shows more than 7,000 KU research-funded employees leveraged their experience to build careers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia from 2011 to 2023 — and nearly 40% found employment in Kansas.
More Economic Development
Bronze Jayhawk statue

KU remains among top 40 public universities granted patents for inventions

The National Academy of Inventors ranks the University of Kansas 39th among public universities for the number of utility patents granted in 2025, marking the fourth consecutive year the University of Kansas is listed among the United States’ top 100 institutions receiving patents.
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Student experience and achievement

Studio 804 to host May 16 open house for latest sustainable design-build project in Lawrence

KU’s Studio 804 will host a May 16 open house for its latest student-designed and constructed home in Lawrence. Built by KU architecture students, the project highlights innovative sustainable design, material reuse and high-performance construction.

KU Engineering student groups continue to excel at annual ASCE championship

Department of Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering student groups took home several awards at the 2026 ASCE Symposium at the beginning of April. The KU ASCE chapter, Concrete Canoe and the Steel Bridge program traveled to Carbondale, Illinois, to take part in their respective competitions.
More Student Experience and Achievement
Emily Weiss and Kaegan Cowan pose with their awards.

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.
More Student Experience and Achievement

Campus news

KU announces promotion and tenure for 146 faculty and researchers

Chancellor Douglas A. Girod has approved the promotion and award of tenure, where indicated, for 50 individuals at the University of Kansas Lawrence and Edwards campuses and 96 individuals at the KU Medical Center campuses. Promotion and tenure are effective at the start of the fall 2026 semester.

School of Engineering faculty member earns NSF CAREER Award for advancing sustainable plastics solutions

Ana Morais, assistant professor of chemical & petroleum engineering, received the prestigious award for research focused on improving how difficult-to-recycle plastics can be converted into useful products while advancing broader sustainability efforts through education and outreach.
More Campus News
The Dole Institute of Politics

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.
More Campus News

Latest news

The Dole Institute of Politics

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.
Emily Weiss and Kaegan Cowan pose with their awards.

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.
A tilting manufactured home at a wind-testing facility.

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.
An image from the perspective of the back of a classroom undergoing a math lesson. A student raises his hand as the teacher calls on him from the chalkboard.

Study shows comprehension intervention, working memory predict math achievement in English learners

University of Kansas professor Michael Orosco led a study that found an intervention designed to improve students' reading comprehension boosted math achievement. Additionally, his research tied strong working memory to word problem-solving abilities.
View all news

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