News releases
July 22, 2019
University of Washington to create UW Center for an Informed Public with $5 million investment from Knight Foundation
The University of Washington today announced a $5 million investment from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to create the UW Center for an Informed Public, led by an interdisciplinary group whose mission is to resist strategic misinformation, promote an informed society, and strengthen democratic discourse. The Center is also funded by a $600,000 award from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
July 19, 2019
Offspring of pregnant women exposed to high level of pollutants may have lower IQs
A new study found that pregnant women exposed to higher levels of air pollutants had children with lower IQs, compared to the children of women exposed to lower levels.
July 18, 2019
François Baneyx named director of UW’s CoMotion and Interim Vice Provost for Innovation
François Baneyx has been named the new director of CoMotion and Interim Vice Provost of Innovation at the University of Washington, Provost Mark Richards announced today. Baneyx fills a position formerly held by Vikram Jandhyala, who died in March. “François is a respected researcher, teacher and innovator with connections throughout academia and industry, as well…
Scientists discover how the mosquito brain integrates diverse sensory cues to locate a host to bite
A team, led by researchers at the University of Washington, has discovered how the female mosquito brain integrates visual and olfactory signals to identify, track and hone in on a potential host for her next blood meal: After the mosquito’s olfactory system detects certain chemical cues, the mosquito uses her visual system to scan her surroundings for certain shapes and fly toward them, presumably associating those shapes with potential hosts.
July 17, 2019
UW steady at No. 28 in the world, fourth among U.S. public institutions; No. 1 on CNBC US public colleges that pay off the most
The University of Washington was recognized this week for its global impact in teaching and research, as well as for its value to graduates compared to cost of attendance.
UW hosts student robotics challenge Friday to mark 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 moon landing
This Friday, teams of 5th- through 12th-grade students from across Washington state will complete a challenge in Kane Hall to mimic the 1969 Apollo moon landing, using drones and Lego robots.
First-ever visualizations of electrical gating effects on electronic structure could lead to longer-lasting devices
Scientists have visualized the electronic structure in a microelectronic device for the first time, opening up opportunities for finely tuned, high-performance electronic devices. Physicists from the University of Washington and the University of Warwick developed a technique to measure the energy and momentum of electrons in operating microelectronic devices made of atomically thin — so-called 2D — materials.
Magdalena Balazinska named director of UW’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
Magdalena Balazinska has been named the new director of the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering. The appointment is effective Jan. 1, 2020, and is subject to approval by the UW Board of Regents.
July 12, 2019
UW School of Law receives $3.75 million gift to support environmental law
The University of Washington today announced a $3.75 million gift to the School of Law that will support UW Law graduates pursuing public interest environmental law, enhancing their opportunities to gain the experience and knowledge necessary to tackle some of Washington’s and the world’s most pressing environmental issues.
July 11, 2019
Super salty, subzero Arctic water provides peek at possible life on other planets
A UW team has discovered thriving communities of bacteria in Alaskan “cryopegs,” trapped layers of sediment with water so salty that it remains liquid at below-freezing temperatures. The setting may be similar to environments on Mars, Saturn’s moon Titan, or other bodies farther from the sun.
National attention, praise for new Silicon Valley history ‘The Code’ by UW historian Margaret O’Mara
Her sweeping new book about the history of Silicon Valley has UW history professor Margaret O’Mara on a busy national book tour this summer. The book, “The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America,” was published this month by Penguin Press and is receiving many positive reviews.
July 9, 2019
Alison Cullen named interim dean of UW Evans School of Public Policy & Governance
Alison Cullen has been named interim dean of the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy & Governance, Provost Mark A. Richards announced earlier this month. Her appointment, set to begin Sept. 1, is subject to approval by the UW Board of Regents.
Coral reefs shifting away from equator, new study finds
Coral reefs are retreating from equatorial waters and establishing new reefs in more temperate regions, according to new research by the University of Washington and other institutions.
July 5, 2019
UW books in brief: US credit markets in history, ‘value sensitive’ design, the lasting effects of reproductive slavery, and more
Recent notable books by UW faculty members explore how the U.S. government has historically used credit to create opportunity, how “reproductive slavery” has left lasting ramifications and how technology design benefits from human values.
July 3, 2019
Joy Williamson-Lott named dean of UW Graduate School
Joy Williamson-Lott has been named the next dean of the University of Washington’s Graduate School, Provost Mark A. Richards announced today. Her appointment, set to begin July 16, is subject to approval by the UW Board of Regents.
UW School of Oceanography ranks No. 1 in global ranking; more than two dozen areas in top 50
The University of Washington’s School of Oceanography again is ranked No. 1 in the world on the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects list for 2019. The ranking, released in June, was conducted by researchers at the Center for World-Class Universities at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
July 1, 2019
How you and your friends can play a video game together using only your minds
UW researchers created a method for two people help a third person solve a task using only their minds.
Study shows that management and evolution give hope to coral reefs facing the effects of climate change
A new study released July 1 in Nature Climate Change gives hope for coral reefs. Launched by the nonprofit Coral Reef Alliance, with lead and senior authors at the University of Washington, the study is one of the first to demonstrate that management that takes evolution and adaptation into account can help rescue coral reefs from the effects of climate change.
June 27, 2019
Astrobiology outreach: UW’s mobile planetarium lands at space conference
UW astronomy professor Rory Barnes shows off the astronomy department’s Mobile Planetarium to colleagues at AbSciCon2019, the national conference on astrobiology in Bellevue. He takes it to schools with a presentation on astrobiology for K12 students.
LGBTQ Asian Americans seen as more ‘American’
For Asian Americans who are gay or lesbian, their sexual orientation may make them seem more “American” than those who are presumed straight. A new University of Washington study, the latest in research to examine stereotypes, identity and ideas about who is “American,” focuses on how sexual orientation and race come together to influence others’ perceptions.
June 20, 2019
Looking for life: UW researchers, presentations abound at 2019 astrobiology conference in Bellevue
A roundup of UW talents and presentations in AbSciCon2019, the national conference on astrobiology — the search for life in the universe — to be held in Bellevue, June 24-28.
June 19, 2019
Abundance of gases in Enceladus’s ocean are a potential fuel — if life is there to consume it
The subsurface ocean of Saturn’s moon Enceladus probably has higher than previously known concentrations of carbon dioxide and hydrogen and a more Earthlike pH level, possibly providing conditions favorable to life, according to new research from planetary scientists at the UW.
ArtsUW Roundup: Last week to see MFA + MDes exhibition at the Henry, opening of Beverly Semmes, concert at the library, and more
This week in the arts, visit an exhibition at the Henry Art Gallery or the Center for Urban Horticulture, attend a concert at the library, attend a field poetics workshop, and more! Closing weekend: 2019 School of Art + Art History + Design Graduation Exhibitions Each year we celebrate graduating Art and Design undergraduate and…
Deep submersible dives shed light on rarely explored coral reefs
Just beyond where conventional scuba divers can go is an area of the ocean that still is largely unexplored. In waters this deep — about 100 to at least 500 feet below the surface — little to no light breaks through. Researchers must rely on submersible watercraft or sophisticated diving equipment to be able…
‘Alexa, monitor my heart’: Researchers develop first contactless cardiac arrest AI system for smart speakers
UW researchers have developed a new tool to monitor people for cardiac arrest while they’re asleep — all without touching them. The tool is essentially an app for a smart speaker or a smartphone that allows it to detect the signature sounds of cardiac arrest and call for help.
June 18, 2019
First book published on fishes of the Salish Sea
The first book documenting all of the known species of fishes that live in the Salish Sea is now available.
Study: Marijuana use increases, shifts away from illegal market
A new article published by researchers from University of Puget Sound and University of Washington reports that, based on analysis of public wastewater samples in at least one Western Washington population center, cannabis use both increased and substantially shifted from the illicit market since retail sales began in 2014.
Of octopuses and astrobiology: Conference talk speculates on cognition beyond Earth
Of the many papers and presentations scheduled for AbSciCon2019, the conference on astrobiology and the search for life in space happening in Bellevue the week of June 24, the UW’s Dominic Sivitilli’s is perhaps unique — he’ll discuss his research into how octopuses “think.”
June 13, 2019
People using third-party apps to analyze personal genetic data
The burgeoning field of personal genetics appeals to people who want to learn more about themselves, their family and their propensity for diseases. More and more consumers are using services like 23andMe to learn about their genetic blueprint.
June 12, 2019
ArtsUW Roundup: Design show reception, DMA recitals, and more
This week in the arts, partake in the Design Show reception at the Jacob Lawrence Gallery or the MFA + MDes Thesis Exhibition at the Henry, attend a DMA recital, and more! 2019 School of Art + Art History + Design Graduation Exhibitions Each year we celebrate graduating Art and Design undergraduate and graduate students…
June 11, 2019
Behind the magic: Making moving photos a reality
UW researchers have figured out how to take a person from a 2D photo or a work of art and make them run, walk or jump out of the frame. The system also allows users to view the animation in three dimensions using augmented reality tools.
June 10, 2019
Golden State Warriors President and COO Rick Welts to speak at UW’s 144th commencement on Saturday
A record 5,900 graduates, along with 50,000-plus family members, friends, faculty and other observers, are expected to attend the 144th University of Washington commencement ceremonies at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 15, at Husky Stadium.
UW’s Pacific Northwest English Study seeking new group of research participants for summer 2019
The Pacific Northwest English Study, headed by UW linguist Alicia Beckford Wassink, is about to begin a new, three-year research project listening to voices from throughout the region and is looking for participants.
Mysterious holes in Antarctic sea ice explained by years of robotic data
Why did a giant hole appear in the sea ice off Antarctica in 2016 and 2017, after decades of more typical sea ice cover? Years of Southern Ocean data have explained the phenomenon, helping oceanographers to better predict these features and study their role in global ocean cycles.
June 6, 2019
UW professor leads students to hidden history in a small Tennessee town
Uncovering the “hidden history” of two eastern Tennessee communities is the goal of Off the Map, a project with high school students led by Katie Headrick Taylor, a University of Washington assistant professor of education.
June 5, 2019
Urgent action on climate change will prevent heat-related deaths in major U.S. cities
The planet will warm by about 3 degrees Celsius (5.4 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century if the U.S. and other nations meet only their current commitments under the Paris climate agreement to reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases. According to a paper by U.S. and U.K. scientists published in Science Advances today, accelerating ambition to reduce global warming emissions to meet the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius could prevent thousands of extreme heat-related deaths in cities across the U.S.
June 4, 2019
ArtsUW Roundup: A site responsive exhibition, #HEREproject, Strange Coupling 2019 exhibition reception, Daniel Alexander Jones reading and more
This week in the arts, partake in the #HEREproject – a celebratory interactive art installation honoring places around campus that have defined our #HuskyExperience and set us on our path, attend one of the 2019 School of Art + Art History + Design Graduation Exhibitions, attend a performance by UW Symphony and Choirs, and more! ASUW…
Early lives of Alaska sockeye salmon accelerating with climate change
An ample buffet of freshwater food, brought on by climate change, is altering the life history of one of the world’s most important salmon species.
June 3, 2019
Documentary films by UW faculty members Jeff Shulman, David Shields to screen
Two films by UW faculty members — business professor Jeff Shulman and English professor David Shields — will have screenings in Seattle in coming days — both with strong connections to the city.
May 30, 2019
16 UW students awarded Fulbright fellowships
Sixteen UW students and alumni were awarded Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarships for the 2019-20 academic year, and one has been named an alternate, joining about 1,900 students and recent graduates from around the country to study and teach abroad this coming year.
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