UW News

The latest news from the UW


June 27, 2024

UW ranks in the top 10 on a US News & World Report list of best global universities

The University of Washington tied for No. 7 on the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Global Universities rankings, released on Tuesday. The UW maintained its No. 2 ranking among U.S. public institutions.

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June 26, 2024

UW taps Hilaire Thompson to be next dean of the School of Nursing

University of Washington Provost Tricia Serio today announced the appointment of Hilaire Thompson as next executive dean of the School of Nursing, effective Aug. 1, pending approval by the Board of Regents.

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June 21, 2024

ChatGPT is biased against resumes with credentials that imply a disability — but it can improve

UW researchers found that ChatGPT consistently ranked resumes with disability-related honors and credentials — such as the “Tom Wilson Disability Leadership Award” — lower than the same resumes without those honors and credentials. But when researchers customized the tool with written instructions directing it not to be ableist, the tool reduced this bias for all but one of the disabilities tested.

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June 20, 2024

Changes to WaNPRC protocols, procedures following recent incidents

The University of Washington’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) was informed on Thursday of recent significant incidents at the Washington National Primate Research Center (WaNPRC), which have prompted changes to protocols and procedures to ensure high standards of animal welfare and research integrity.

June 14, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: Summer Art Exhibitions

Throughout the summer, check out art exhibitions across campus at the Burke Museum, Henry Art Gallery, and the Jacob Lawrence Gallery. Through June 21 | DESIGN SHOW – BDES + MDES, Jacob Lawrence Gallery The Division of Design presents the work of the graduating Bachelor of Design (BDes) students from Industrial Design, Interaction Design, and Visual…

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Statement on leadership change for the Washington National Primate Research Center

After careful consideration, the University of Washington ended the appointment of Dr. Michele Basso as Director of the Washington National Primate Research Center (WaNPRC), effective May 31. Her scientific leadership and contributions to neuroscience are appreciated, and Dr. Basso will continue her work as a core scientist in the Center.

June 13, 2024

Q&A: Finding varieties of corn that are adapted to future climates

Research led by the University of Washington used computer models to pinpoint varieties of corn that will be best adapted to produce high yields in future U.S. climates. The study combined weather and climate projections across the U.S. for 2050 and 2100 with a plant model that simulates corn’s growth to find the mix of traits that will produce the highest, most reliable yield under future conditions across the country.

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June 12, 2024

UW President Ana Mari Cauce will step down in June 2025, following a decade in office

University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce announced Wednesday that she will step down from her leadership role at the conclusion of her second five-year term in June 2025 — a transition that has been planned for several years with the UW Board of Regents — and return to her faculty position. In her upcoming final year in office, Cauce said she is committed to advancing the work of the UW and ensuring a smooth transition.

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June 11, 2024

Q&A: Why social media rarely leads to constructive political action

But in her new book “Log Off: Why Posting and Politics (Almost) Never Mix,” Katherine Cross, a UW doctoral student in the Information School, argues that social media has limited political value.

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June 3, 2024

Video: Before they bite — UW researcher hones in on which scents, colors make us a tempting target for hungry mosquitoes

Jeffrey Riffell, a University of Washington professor of biology, wants to understand how female mosquitoes find find a host to bite for a bloody meal. His research has shown that hungry mosquitoes find us by following a trail of scent cues, including chemicals exuded by our skin and sweat, as well as the carbon dioxide gas we exhale with each breath. Mosquitoes also like colors, at least certain ones. His team is closing in on how the sense of smell and vision work together to help a mosquito zero in for the final strike and get her blood meal.

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UW celebrates Class of 2024 as thousands march in events in Husky Stadium, the Tacoma Dome and T-Mobile Park

More than 7,000 UW graduates of the Class of 2024 plan to participate in the June 8 ceremony for UW Seattle. Officials expect about 40,000 family and friends to cheer the graduates from the Husky Stadium grandstands. UW Tacoma will hold its commencement June 7; UW Bothell’s graduation ceremonies are June 9. UW President Ana Mari Cauce will present 18,006 degrees to the Class of 2024 across all three UW campuses’ ceremonies.

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Q&A: Microinclusions improve women’s workplace belonging and commitment

New research from the University of Washington published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, shows how “microinclusions” — brief instances of positive treatment, especially from members of the dominant group — help women feel valued at work.

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UW study abroad returns to pre-pandemic participation levels, helps increase graduation rates

As the academic school year comes to an end, many students will continue their studies by packing a suitcase and heading overseas.

About 3,000 University of Washington students will study abroad this school year, a number that surpasses the previous high set in 2018-2019. That means study abroad participation is back to pre-pandemic levels. UW leaders say these programs promise profound experiences and lifelong memories. and  new research shows that college students who study abroad are more likely to graduate.

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May 30, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: Design Show, Grandmothering While Black Book Celebration, Astrobiology Careers Panel and more

This week, check out graduating Design students’ works at the Jacob Lawrence Gallery, attend the Astrobiology Program’s careers panel, enjoy an evening of conversation at the Grandmothering While Black book celebration, and more. June 5 – 21, DESIGN SHOW – BDES + MDES, Jacob Lawrence Gallery The Division of Design presents the work of the graduating…

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Infants hear significantly more speech than music at home, UW study finds

A new University of Washington study, published May 21 in Developmental Science, is the first to compare the amount of music and speech that children hear in infancy. Results showed that infants hear more spoken language than music, with the gap widening as the babies get older.

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Dana Robinson Slote becomes director of media relations, leading UW News

Dana Robinson Slote, who for more than a decade ran communications efforts for the Seattle City Council, is the new director of media relations at the University of Washington, effective May 20.

May 29, 2024

Q&A: How AI affects kids’ creativity

“We asked one 11-year-old how he’d feel if his favorite book series was written by AI instead of an author, and he said it would ‘dismantle’ the joy of reading for him. We often don’t think about kids having these deep, existential questions about what it means to be an artist,” said Michele Newman, a University of Washington doctoral student in the Information School.

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May 28, 2024

UW’s Larry Dalton and wife, Nicole Boand, make $10 million bequest to the School of Nursing for scholarships and clinical education

The University of Washington School of Nursing today announced a $10 million bequest from UW chemistry professor emeritus Larry R. Dalton and his wife, Nicole A. Boand.

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In the Field: UW researcher headed to Alaska to study factors that lead to permafrost thaw and to educate foster care youth

UW doctoral student Joel Eklof has been investigating which environmental factors contribute to permafrost thaw and the release of methane into the atmosphere. For years, Eklof has traveled to a field site southwest of Fairbanks, Alaska.

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May 23, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: 53rd Psychology Research Festival, Undergraduate Senior Essay Symposium, Design Show, and more

This week, attend the 53rd Annual Psychology Research Festival, check out the Department of Classics’ Undergraduate Senior Essay Symposium, a Design Show from graduating seniors in the School of Art + Art History + Design, and more. May 27 – 31, UW Innovation Month Innovation Month is a campus-wide celebration of the innovative work that…

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AI headphones let wearer listen to a single person in a crowd, by looking at them just once

A University of Washington team has developed an artificial intelligence system that lets someone wearing headphones look at a person speaking for three to five seconds to “enroll” them. The system then plays just the enrolled speaker’s voice in real time, even as the pair move around in noisy environments.

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May 17, 2024

UW atmospheric scientist participating in field campaign to improve Western snowfall, drought forecasts

A UW atmospheric scientist will participate in a campaign to study winter storms and snowfall in northwestern Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Like Seattle, this area depends on winter snow for its summer water supplies, so improving mountain snow forecasts will improve projections for summer drought and wildfire risks.

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May 16, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: Global Sport Lab, Art Honors Graduation Exhibition, Interconnected Worlds with Henry Yeung and more

This week, join the Global Sport Lab for a conversation about what the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup means for Seattle, check out the BA in Art Honors Graduation Exhibition, attend the lecture on Interconnected Worlds with Henry Yeung and more. May 20 – 26, UW Innovation Month  Innovation Month is a campus-wide celebration of…

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May 15, 2024

Thirteen UW students receive Fulbright exchange awards for study, research and teaching positions around the world

Thirteen UW students and recent alumni were awarded Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarships this year, joining about 2,000 students and recent graduates from around the country to study and teach abroad.

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Scientists want to know how the smells of nature benefit our health

Spending time in nature is good for us. And knowing more about nature’s effects on our bodies could not only help our well-being, but could also improve how we care for land, preserve ecosystems and design cities, homes and parks. Many studies have focused on how seeing nature affects us. A team of scientists from around the world wants to understand what the nose knows. They are calling for more research into how odors and scents from natural settings impact our health and well-being.

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Q&A: How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect older adults’ technology use?

University of Washington researchers interviewed 16 older adults in Washington and Oregon, ages 65 to 80, about how their technology use with their social support networks changed during the pandemic.

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May 14, 2024

UW-led project to study ozone, atmospheric layers a finalist for next-generation NASA satellite

A project led by the University of Washington to better understand our atmosphere’s complexity is a finalist for NASA’s next generation of Earth-observing satellites. STRIVE will receive $5 million to conduct a one-year concept study, and then will hear whether it is selected for launch.

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May 10, 2024

University statement on encampment and counter-protest on Sunday

A statement from the University of Washington regarding the encampment protest in the Quad and a planned counter-protest on Sunday

May 9, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: Katz Distinguished Lecture, DXARTS Spring Concert, MFA Dance Concert and more

This week, attend the Katz Distinguished Lecture Series with Winnie Wong, check out the DXARTS Spring Concert, be wowed away from the MFA Dance Concert, and more. May 13 – 17, UW Innovation Month Innovation Month is a campus-wide celebration of the innovative work that happens everywhere at UW, every day, across disciplines. It highlights…

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UW files Unfair Labor Practice Complaint following ASE union’s harassment of Dean and staff

The University of Washington on Tuesday filed an Unfair Labor Practice Complaint with the Washington State Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) against UAW 4121 after more than 100 union members harassed and engaged in intimidation tactics toward the Dean and staff in the College of Arts & Sciences on May 2.

Navy Growler jet noise over Whidbey Island could impact 74,000 people’s health

As often as four days a week, Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island fly loops overhead as pilots practice touch-and-go landings. The noise is immense. New research from the University of Washington shows that the noise isn’t just disruptive — it presents a substantial risk to public health.

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Can Wikipedia-like citations on YouTube curb misinformation?

University of Washington researchers created and tested a prototype browser extension called Viblio, which lets viewers and creators add citations to the timelines of YouTube videos.

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May 3, 2024

Video: Washington students learn about engineering at Discovery Days

This University of Washington College of Engineering event brings thousands of elementary and middle school students from all over Washington to campus to be engineers for a day.

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May 2, 2024

Qiang Fu, Raymond Huey elected to National Academy of Sciences

Two University of Washington researchers are among the newly elected members of the National Academy of Sciences. Qiang Fu, professor of atmospheric sciences, and Raymond Huey, professor emeritus of biology, are among those recognized with one of the highest honors a scientist can achieve.

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May 1, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: Frontiers of Physics Lecture, “Influencers, Platforms and the Rise of the Follower Economy”, Cie Hervé KOUBI Performance and more

This week, head to Kane Hall for the Frontiers of Physics Lecture on the James Webb Space Telescope’s discoveries, enjoy Cie Hervé KOUBI’s performance at Meany Hall, learn about “Influencers, Platforms, and the Rise of the Follower Economy” during the Communications Colloquium, and more. May 6, 5:30 – 8:30 pm | Andrew L. Markus Memorial…

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UW’s campaign to restore the ASUW Shell House exceeds goal, showcases community support

Before the oars dip their blades signaling the beginning of the Windemere Cup, before hundreds of flag-draped boats parade from Portage Bay to Lake Washington to open the boating season, the campaign to save the ASUW Shell House at the University of Washington already can be called a winner. 

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Virtual reality environment for teens may offer an accessible, affordable way to reduce stress

Working with teens, UW researchers have designed RESeT: a snowy virtual world with six activities intended to improve mood. In a 3-week study of 44 Seattle-area teens, researchers found that most used the technology about twice a week without being prompted and reported lower stress levels after using the environment.

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April 30, 2024

Scientists solve chemical mystery at the interface of biology and technology

A University of Washington-led study has solved a mystery about organic electrochemical transistors: Why there is a lag when they are switched on. In the process paved the way to custom-tailored OECTs for a growing list of applications in biosensing, brain-inspired computation and beyond.

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April 26, 2024

New circuit boards can be repeatedly recycled

A team led by researchers at the University of Washington developed a new PCB that performs on par with traditional materials and can be recycled repeatedly with negligible material loss. Researchers used a solvent that transforms a type of vitrimer — a cutting-edge class of polymer — into a jelly-like substance without damage, allowing solid components to be plucked out for reuse or recycling. With these “vPCBs” (vitrimer printed circuit boards), researchers recovered 98% of the vitrimer and 100% of the glass fiber.

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April 25, 2024

ArtSci Roundup: “AI, Art and Copyright” Roundtable, “How to Center Intersex” Community Gathering, Indigenous Foods Symposium and more

This week, listen to the roundtable on “AI, Art, and Copyright,” attend the second annual Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies Spring Community Gathering, check out the Living Breath of wəłəbʔaltxʷ Indigenous Foods Symposium, and more. April 30, 4:30 – 6:30 pm | Anton Hur, “Translator Jetlag: Voice and the World We Build” | Translator’s Lecture,…

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