UW News
The latest news from the UW
June 10, 2021
Cause, scope determined for deadly winter debris flow in Uttarakhand, India
On Feb. 7, 2021, a wall of debris and water barreled down river valleys in India, destroyed two hydropower facilities and left more than 200 people dead or missing. A self-organized coalition of 53 scientists from 14 countries, including researchers from the University of Washington, worked nonstop following the disaster to investigate the cause, scope and impacts.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • David Shean • Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering • glaciers • Shashank BhushanJune 9, 2021
Endangered blue whales recorded off southwest coast of India
Endangered blue whales are present and singing off the southwest coast of India. The results provide insight into a poorly studied population and suggest conservation measures should include this region.
Tag(s): Applied Physics Laboratory • Kate Stafford • oceanography • whales
‘Our democracy is fundamentally at stake’ — UW’s Jake Grumbach on limits to voter access
As Congress considers expanding voting rights legislation and some Republican-led states restrict access to voting, the University of Washington’s Jake Grumbach is among a group of faculty from institutions around the country calling for national election standards.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Political Science • Jake GrumbachJune 8, 2021
English professor, author Shawn Wong honored by Association of University Presses
Shawn Wong, UW English professor and longtime advocate for Asian American literature, has received the 2021 Stand UP Award from the Association of University Presses.
Tag(s): Association of University Presses • Department of English • Shawn Wong • University of Washington PressJune 7, 2021
ArtSci Roundup: Author Carol Anderson discusses her book, ‘The Second,’ with Prof. Christopher Parker, The Engine Room Residencies: Ishmael Butler of Shabazz Palaces and Digable Planets, and more
Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week! This week, attend a conversation with a UW political science professor and author, a gallery exhibition, and more. Many of these online opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. Carol Anderson, “The Second”…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of English • Department of Political Science • Henry Art Gallery • Jacob Lawrence Gallery • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts • School of Music
Simon Neame named dean of UW Libraries
Simon Neame was appointed the new dean of University Libraries, University of Washington Provost Mark Richards announced today. The appointment, pending approval by the UW Board of Regents, is set to begin Sept. 1.
Tag(s): Betsy Wilson • Simon Neame • UW LibrariesJune 3, 2021
Anticipation builds for UW’s 146th commencement, to be held virtually
Drumheller Fountain is turning purple.
The iconic University of Washington landmark will be illuminated in the school’s signature color from dusk to dawn as the anticipation builds for the June 12 commencement ceremonies.
The special accent lighting is just one of many features the UW is adding to its already beautiful campus to provide graduates opportunities to pose for photos with family and friends. Special banners will hang on Suzzallo Library and the HUB, among other locations. Sidewalks in the Quad and along Rainier Vista will be decorated and 4-foot-tall block Ws will be strategically placed making already terrific photo ops even better.
Tag(s): Commencement
Renowned marine scientist and former NOAA chief Jane Lubchenco to speak at 2021 commencement
Renowned marine scientist, University of Washington alumna and former head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Jane Lubchenco will deliver the 2021 UW virtual commencement address on June 12.
Tag(s): Commencement • Jane Lubchenco
UW announces COVID-19 vaccine requirement for all employees
The University of Washington on Thursday announced it will require all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by autumn quarter. The UW recently announced that all students must also be vaccinated before fall classes begin.
Tag(s): Ana Mari Cauce • COVID-19 • Mark Richards
South Pole and East Antarctica warmer than previously thought during last ice age, two studies show
University of Washington glaciologists are co-authors on two papers that analyzed Antarctic ice cores to understand the continent’s air temperatures during the most recent glacial period. The results help understand how the region behaves during a major climate transition.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Department of Earth and Space Sciences • Eric Steig • polar science • T.J. FudgeJune 2, 2021
Maya Tolstoy named dean of the UW College of the Environment
Maya Tolstoy has been named the Maggie Walker Dean of the College of the Environment, University of Washington Provost Mark Richards announced today. Tolstoy’s appointment as dean, set to begin Jan. 1, 2022, is subject to approval by the UW Board of Regents.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Lisa Graumlich • Maya Tolstoy
ArtSci Roundup: Queer Imagination, Cruisin’ Around Washington, and More
During this time of uncertainty and isolation, find solace in digital opportunities to connect, share, and engage. Each week, we will share upcoming events that bring the UW, and the greater community, together online. Many of these online opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. A…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of English • Henry Art Gallery • Jacob Lawrence Gallery • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts • School of Art + Art History + DesignJune 1, 2021
Faculty/staff honors: Allen School’s Shyam Gollakota, Anna Karlin honored by Association for Computing Machinery
Two professors with the UW Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering — Shyam Gollakota and Anna Karlin — have received 2020 honors from the Association for Computing Machinery.
Tag(s): Anna Karlin • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering • Shyam Gollakota
Regional survey reveals work, leisure habits during the pandemic
The COVID-19 Mobility Survey, a partnership of the University of Washington and the Puget Sound Regional Council, showed how remote workers’ transportation, work and other lifestyle habits changed over the first several months of the pandemic.
Tag(s): Anne Vernez Moudon • College of Built Environments • College of Engineering • Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering • Department of Urban Design and Planning • Jeff Ban • Qing ShenMay 27, 2021
‘Quarantining while Black’: Conference examines twin pandemics through radical listening
The University of Washington’s Center for Communication, Difference and Equity 2021 conference will examine “Quarantining while Black.” The two-day virtual event, scheduled for the morning of June 1 and the afternoon of June 2, is an invitation to radically listen to the ways in which Black Americans in Seattle and beyond have experienced the dual pandemics: COVID-19, with its disproportionate impact on Black communities, and the worldwide racial reckoning that emerged after the murder of George Floyd.
Tag(s): Center for Communication Difference and Equity • Department of Communication • Ralina Joseph
Video: Suzzallo bonsai a symbol of peace, resilience and inclusiveness
The potted junipers on the steps of Suzzallo Library are undergoing a transformation. Flanking the entrance to one of UW’s most beloved buildings, they are viewed by hundreds of people walking through Red Square each week. Bioengineering postdoctoral researcher Le Zhen is transforming these shrubs into bonsai — miniature trees that are pruned, nurtured and trained with wire to look like their much older, full-sized counterparts living in nature. He hopes this prominent display of bonsai will signal to members of the AAPI community that UW is safe and welcoming.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Bioengineering • Le Zhen • School of Medicine • UW Medicine
Seabirds face dire threats from climate change, human activity — especially in Northern Hemisphere
Many seabirds in the Northern Hemisphere are struggling to breed — and in the Southern Hemisphere, they may not be far behind. These are the conclusions of a study, published May 28 in Science, analyzing more than 50 years of breeding records for 67 seabird species worldwide.
Tag(s): Center for Ecosystem Sentinels • climate change • College of Arts & Sciences • conservation • Dee Boersma • Department of BiologyMay 26, 2021
Faculty/staff honors: Theoretical computer science award, early career faculty innovator in environmental studies, fellowship in Jewish history
Recent honors for UW faculty include the 2021 Presburger award for theoretical computer science, an Early Career Faculty Innovator research grant for a collaboration in environmental studies with the Karuk Tribe in California, and a fellowship to explore war regulations and raiding norms among early Arabian Jewish communities.
Tag(s): Anna Karlin • Cleo Woelfle-Erskine • College of Arts & Sciences • College of Engineering • Hamza Zafer • Jackson School of International Studies • Nathan Klein • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering • School of Marine and Environmental Affairs • Shayan Oveis Gharan • Sofi Courtney • Stroum Center for Jewish StudiesMay 25, 2021
UW’s León Center in Spain renews lease through 2025
The UW’s connection to León, Spain, has been extended through 2025, with an option to renew it an additional four years to 2029.
President Ana Mari Cauce signed the new agreement earlier this month and city leaders in Spain celebrated the decade-old relationship last week.
Tag(s): Anthony Geist • UW Study Center in LeónMay 24, 2021
ArtSci Roundup: Vikram Prakash: “One Continuous Line: Art, Architecture and Urbanism of Aditya Prakash,” Center for Communication, Difference, and Equity Annual Conference: Quarantining While Black, and More
During this time of uncertainty and isolation, find solace in digital opportunities to connect, share, and engage. Each week, we will share upcoming events that bring the UW, and the greater community, together online. Many of these online opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. Spring…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • Center for Communication Difference and Equity • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Architecture • Ethnomusicology Program • Henry Art Gallery • Jackson School of International Studies • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts • School of Art + Art History + Design • School of Music • South Asia Center • UW Alumni Association
Fast food, supermarkets, other aspects of built environments don’t play expected role in weight gain
People don’t gain or lose weight because they live near a fast-food restaurant or supermarket, according to a new study led by the University of Washington. And, living in a more “walkable,” dense neighborhood likely only has a small impact on weight. These “built-environment” amenities have been seen in past research as essential contributors to…
Tag(s): Adam Drewnowski • Center for Studies in Demography & Ecology • Department of Epidemiology • James Buszkiewicz • School of Public Health • Urban Form LabMay 21, 2021
Pandemic-era paleontology: A wayward skull, at-home fossil analyses and a first for Antarctic amphibians
Researchers at the University of Washington and its Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture have discovered the first fossil evidence of an ancient amphibian, Micropholis stowi, from Antarctica. Micropholis lived in the Early Triassic, shortly after Earth’s largest mass extinction. It was previously known only from fossils in South Africa, and its presence in Antarctica has implications for how amphibians adapted to high-latitude regions in this dynamic period of Earth’s history.
Tag(s): Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • Christian Sidor • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of BiologyMay 20, 2021
Scott Radnitz explores post-Soviet conspiracy theories in new book ‘Revealing Schemes’
Scott Radnitz, associate professor in the Jackson School of International Studies, discusses his new book, “Revealing Schemes: The Politics of Conspiracy in Russia and the Post-Soviet Region,” published by Oxford University Press.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Political Science • Jackson School of International Studies • James Long • Scott Radnitz
Creative Destruction Lab joins UW Foster School of Business, establishing CDL-Seattle
Creative Destruction Lab, a nonprofit organization for massively scalable, seed-stage, science- and technology-based companies, will launch its third U.S.-based location, CDL-Seattle, this fall. Based at the UW’s Foster School of Business, CDL-Seattle will be a partnership with Microsoft Corporation, the UW College of Engineering, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering and CoMotion, UW’s collaborative innovation hub. The initial area of focus for CDL-Seattle is computational health.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • CoMotion • Emer Dooley • Foster School of Business • Francois Baneyx • Microsoft • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & EngineeringMay 19, 2021
ArtSci Roundup: Rage by B. Dance, MFA Dance Concert, and More
During this time of uncertainty and isolation, find solace in digital opportunities to connect, share, and engage. Each week, we will share upcoming events that bring the UW, and the greater community, together online. Many of these online opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. Reading…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of American Ethnic Studies • Department of Cinema & Media Studies • Department of Dance • Henry Art Gallery • Jackson School of International Studies • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts • School of Art + Art History + Design • Southeast Asia Center • Stroum Center for Jewish StudiesMay 18, 2021
Ascend program at UW’s Foster School of Business expands to further support diverse-owned small businesses thanks to $8 million investment from JPMorgan Chase
In 2016, the Consulting and Business Development Center at the UW’s Foster School of Business partnered with global financial services firm JPMorgan Chase to launch Ascend, a national network of business schools, non-profit lenders and suppliers focused on a goal of accelerating growth of businesses owned by people of color, women and military veterans, especially those operating in inner cities.
Tag(s): Consulting and Business Development Center • Foster School of Business • Frank HodgeMay 17, 2021
UW’s Dr. Catherine Karr: ‘Major chronic health problems facing children today’ linked to air pollution
With evidence of the health hazards facing children from air pollution growing, The American Academy of Pediatrics on Monday published a policy statement meant to bring those hazards to light and to encourage and direct policy to improve children’s health. Policy co-author Dr. Catherine Karr, a professor in the University of Washington’s School of Public…
Tag(s): Catherine Karr • Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences • School of Medicine • School of Public HealthMay 14, 2021
$38M set of gifts from Ballmer Group to address behavioral health crisis aims to bolster workforce, resources across Washington through UW-led programs
The University of Washington today announced that the School of Social Work and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and the Behavioral Health Institute at Harborview Medical Center are part of a transformational $38 million set of gifts from Ballmer Group to support a broad, collaborative response to the state’s behavioral health crisis. The gifts aim to address the state of Washington’s serious workforce shortage in the community behavioral health system, in large part by supporting statewide education and training innovations at partner institutions developed through the University of Washington.
May 12, 2021
UW Libraries digital exhibit explores iconic UW fight song, ‘Bow Down to Washington’
A new UW Libraries digital exhibit explores the history of the University of Washington’s century-old fight song, “Bow Down to Washington” in text, video and lots of music.
Tag(s): Dylan Burns • Music Library • UW LibrariesMay 10, 2021
ArtSci Roundup: A new Measure: the Revolutionary Quantum Reform of the Metric System, Sacred Breath: Indigenous Writing and Storytelling Series, and more
During this time of uncertainty and isolation, find solace in digital opportunities to connect, share, and engage. Each week, we will share upcoming events that bring the UW, and the greater community, together online. Many of these online opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. Sacred…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of American Ethnic Studies • Department of American Indian Studies • Department of History • Department of Physics • Henry Art Gallery • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts • Simpson Center for the Humanities • Southeast Asia Center • UW Libraries • wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ - Intellectual House
Former Interior Secretary Sally Jewell named Fritzky Chair in Leadership at UW’s Foster School of Business
Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of the Interior under President Barack Obama and former CEO of REI, has been appointed as the Edward V. Fritzky Endowed Chair in Leadership at the UW Foster School of Business for the 2021-2022 school year. Established in 2002, this prestigious faculty position is designed to bring distinguished leaders to campus to share their expertise with faculty and students.
Tag(s): Foster School of Business • Sally JewellMay 7, 2021
Clinical trials brought us COVID vaccines, but we’re in largescale population ‘trials’ now and will learn more
Scientists can learn a lot in a controlled clinical trial involving tens of thousands of people, such as the COVID-19 vaccine trials that led to their approval, but we will all learn a lot more as hundreds of millions of people are vaccinated. And, some of what might turn up in this population-based data are…
Tag(s): COVID-19 • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center • Larry Corey • School of Medicine • vaccinesMay 6, 2021
Soundbites & B-roll: Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, partners activate earthquake early warnings
Earthquake early warnings launched May 4 in Washington state. The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network helped develop the system, processes the data for the alerts, and operates hundreds of seismic stations across the state that detect the first signs of an earthquake.
Tag(s): earthquakes & seismology • Harold Tobin • ShakeAlertMay 5, 2021
Ice core data show why, despite lower sulfur emissions in U.S. and Western Europe, air pollution is dropping more slowly
Ice core data from Greenland shows why air pollution is dropping more slowly than sulfur emissions reductions. As cloud droplets become less acidic, the chemical reaction that turns sulfur dioxide into sulfate aerosol gets more efficient. The new results can improve the models that project air quality and climate change.
Tag(s): Becky Alexander • College of the Environment • Department of Atmospheric Sciences • pollution
FASER is born: new experiment will study particles that interact with dark matter
The newest experiment at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is now in place at the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva. FASER, or Forward Search Experiment, was approved by CERN’s research board in March 2019. Now installed in the LHC tunnel, this experiment, which seeks to understand particles that scientists believe may interact with dark matter, is now undergoing tests before data collection commences next year.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Physics • Large Hadron Collider • physics • Shih-Chieh HsuMay 4, 2021
Urbanist Charles Wolfe publishes new book, ‘Sustaining a City’s Culture and Character’
In his latest book, “Sustaining a City’s Culture and Character: Principles and Best Practices,” Charles Wolfe asks: How can we create urban environments that are truly livable?
Tag(s): Charles Wolfe • College of Built Environments • Department of Urban Design and PlanningMay 3, 2021
Dean Azita Emami’s ‘insider–outsider’ perspective shapes her UW School of Nursing leadership
UW School of Nursing Dean Azita Emami’s commitment to fighting for those underserved by the health care system has deep roots in her identity. Born in Iran, she has been shaped by the experience of being an “insider–outsider.”
Tag(s): Azita Emami • Hans Rosling Center for Population Health • population health • School of Nursing
ArtSci Roundup: Drive-In at On the Boards, The Engine Room Residencies: The Black Tones, and More
During this time of uncertainty and isolation, find solace in digital opportunities to connect, share, and engage. Each week, we will share upcoming events that bring the UW, and the greater community, together online. Many of these online opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT. Sports…
Tag(s): ArtsUW • Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture • College of Arts & Sciences • Department of History • Department of Sociology • Henry Art Gallery • Meany Center for the Performing Arts • Meany Hall for the Performing Arts • School of Music
Earthquake early warnings launch in Washington, completing West Coast-wide ShakeAlert system
The U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Washington-based Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, and state emergency managers on Tuesday, May 4, will activate the system that sends earthquake early warnings throughout Washington state. This completes the rollout of ShakeAlert, an automated system that gives people living in Washington, Oregon and California advance warning of incoming earthquakes.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Department of Earth and Space Sciences • earthquakes & seismology • Harold Tobin • Pacific Northwest Seismic Network • ShakeAlert
UW announces COVID-19 vaccine requirement for students
The University of Washington on Monday announced it will require all students on all three of its campuses to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before the start of the autumn quarter. The announcement comes with six weeks remaining in the spring quarter to provide time for students who are in the area to get vaccinated before summer.
Tag(s): COVID-19« Previous Page Next Page »
