Katie Davis, a UW professor in the Information School, discusses a study in which she and a team of researchers interviewed 22 teachers about AI use.
May 5, 2026
The latest news from the UW
May 1, 2026
UW unveils this year’s Husky 100 — exemplary students from across all three campuses
The University of Washington unveiled the 2026 Husky 100, recognizing 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional students from the UW Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma campuses in all areas of study who are making the most of their time at the UW and are making an impact in their communities.
April 30, 2026
Washington students return to UW campus for Engineering Discovery Days 2026
Discovery Days gives K-12 students from across Washington state a chance to experience science and engineering concepts for themselves at the University of Washington’s Seattle campus.
April 29, 2026
Q&A: UW professor lends human rights expertise to FIFA, 2026 World Cup
Anita Ramasastry, a professor of law at the University of Washington, is an expert in the convergence of business and human rights. After the 2022 World Cup, FIFA made Ramasastry an independent advisor to its human rights subcommittee. Now, as the 2026 World Cup approaches, her involvement includes: chairing the human rights advisory group for FIFA 2026 and drafting the human rights action plan for host city Seattle.
April 28, 2026
April research highlights: Sunbird tongues, Seattle fault, inbound asteroids, more
Explore recent research from the University of Washington: how sunbirds sip nectar through straw-like tongues, why the Seattle Fault might not pose as great a risk as previously thought, how to gauge landslide dam risk in the PNW, what marine microbes use for making meals and when the Simonyi Survey Telescope at the NSF-DOE Rubin Observatory will spot small inbound asteroids.
BikeButler map creates personalized routes for riders based on preferences like speed limits and road conditions
University of Washington researchers created BikeButler, a demo web app that lets users find personalized bike routes in Seattle. Cyclists plug in their destination and origin — just like in other mapping apps — and can then toggle sliders for eight attributes to create personalized route options.
April 23, 2026
Researchers discover the fossil of a new hamster-sized mammal that lived alongside dinosaurs on the Pacific Coast
A research team led by the UW has identified a new species of an ancient rodent-like creature. The new species, named Cimolodon desosai, was about the size of a golden hamster, the researchers said. It likely scampered on the ground and in the trees and ate fruits and insects.
April 22, 2026
Q&A: UW scientists decode the logic behind cells’ mysterious protein stockpiles
UW News spoke with Paul Wiggins, a University of Washington associate professor of both physics and bioengineering, to learn about a surprisingly relatable behavior prompting bacteria to stockpile huge reserves of essential proteins.
April 21, 2026
UW physicists win 2026 Breakthrough Prize for study of enigmatic particle
David Hertzog, a University of Washington professor of physics, is a recipient of the 2026 Breakthrough Prize for Fundamental Physics. The award is shared among roughly 400 scientists and celebrates decades of work to better understand the muon — a subatomic particle with anomalous properties.
April 20, 2026
Statement on Department of Justice compliance review
A statement from the University of Washington in response to a U.S. Department of Justice compliance review that was announced by a U.S. assistant attorney general on social media.
Washington’s hepatitis C elimination initiative expanded access to testing and treatment while reducing per-patient costs, UW-led study finds
A directive signed by former Gov. Jay Inslee in 2018 aimed to eliminate hepatitis C from Washington state by 2030. A new study led by the University of Washington found that the plan not only expanded access to tests and treatment, but may save money in the long run.
April 15, 2026
UW’s Claire Willing named fellow of Ecological Society of America
The Ecological Society of America named the UW’s Claire Willing a 2026 Early Career Fellow. Willing, an assistant professor of environmental and forest science, studies fungal ecology, looking at how fungi are evolving and supporting plant communities as the climate changes.
Planets need more water to support life than scientists previously thought
In a new study, University of Washington researchers show that an Earth-sized planet likely needs at least 20 to 50% of the water in Earth’s oceans to maintain a critical natural cycle that keeps water on the surface. These new parameters could exclude many exoplanets in the so-called habitable zone.
April 14, 2026
UW earns Gold STARS rating for sustainability performance
The University of Washington has earned a Gold rating from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, or STARS.
Tiny cameras in earbuds let users talk with AI about what they see
University of Washington researchers developed a system called VueBuds that uses tiny cameras in off-the-shelf wireless earbuds to allow users to talk with an AI model about the scene in front of them. For instance, a user might look at a Korean food package and say, “Hey VueBuds, translate this for me.” They’d then hear an AI voice say, “The visible text translates to ‘Cold Noodles’ in English.
April 13, 2026
A fossil of a new carnivoran species effectively doubles the evolutionary history of the weasel family
A new study doubles the evolutionary history of the weasel family. Researchers, including Chris Law, a UW principal research scientist in the biology department, have determined that a fossil that was discovered in Spain belongs to a new species dating back to around 6.5 million years ago. This new species was likely similar in size to the smallest living weasel species today, the least weasel.
At quantum testbed lab, researchers across the UW probe ‘spooky’ mysteries of quantum phenomena
At the brand-new Quantum Technologies Training and Testbed lab, researchers from across the UW probe the “spooky” mysteries of quantum phenomena.
UW School of Law to convene ‘Neither Sword Nor Purse,’ a national rule of law symposium on defending America’s independent judiciary
As judges across the United States face growing political pressure, public attacks and threats to their personal safety, the University of Washington School of Law will host a national symposium on April 17 and 18 to examine how to protect America’s independent federal judiciary and the rule of law.
April 9, 2026
David Lance appointed the UW’s chief of staff to the president
University of Washington President Robert J. Jones on Wednesday announced that David Lance has been appointed chief of staff to the president, effective May 11. The chief of staff serves as a senior advisor to the president and plays a critical role in advancing the University’s strategic priorities and institutional goals.
ArtSci Roundup: May 2026
Come curious. Leave inspired. The UW offers an exciting lineup of in-person and online events. From thought-provoking art and music to conversations on culture, history, and science, the UW community invites you to explore, learn, and connect across disciplines throughout the University. And you don’t have to wait until May: Take a look at everything still happening in April. Sign up to receive a monthly notice when the ArtSci Roundup has been published. ArtSci On Your Own Time: Video |…
April 7, 2026
UW is a top producer of Peace Corps volunteers
The Peace Corps announced Tuesday that the University of Washington is again No. 3 on the list of top volunteer-producing institutions since the international program launched in 1961.
April 6, 2026
UW’s graduate and professional programs highly ranked by US News & World Report
The University of Washington’s graduate and professional degree programs again were recognized as among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Graduate Schools released late Monday.
Parasitic tapeworm — a risk to domestic dogs and humans — found in Washington coyotes
New evidence suggests that a disease-causing tapeworm that has been spreading across the United States and Canada has arrived in the Pacific Northwest. The tapeworm, called Echinococcus multilocularis, was found in one-third of coyotes surveyed from the Puget Sound region.
April 2, 2026
Early data from Rubin Observatory reveals over 11,000 new asteroids
Using preliminary data from the Simonyi Survey Telescope at the NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory, scientists have discovered over 11,000 new asteroids in our solar system. The findings include hundreds of distant worlds beyond Neptune as well as 33 previously unknown near-Earth objects.
March 31, 2026
Q&A: Ryan Calo, law professor and interdisciplinary researcher, talks about his new book, “Law and Technology”
Since Ryan Calo joined University of Washington School of Law in 2012, he has become a leading expert on the law and emerging technology.
Cheryl Wright-Wilson and Raymond Wilson bequest supports UW’s College of Education, School of Pharmacy and School of Medicine
It all started with a slide rule. In the fall of 1965, during Cheryl Wright’s first week at the University of Washington, she went to Suzzallo Library to complete a chemistry assignment. She needed help with a math problem and saw a boy across the reading room who had a slide rule — an analog calculator. The young pharmacy student who helped her that day was Raymond Wilson. Together the couple, who go by Cherie and Ray, did far more than solve a mathematical equation — they married and formed a bond that’s lasted more than six decades.
March 30, 2026
UW researcher gives keynote speech on human-wildlife coexistence and climate adaptation at international roundtable
Briana Abrahms, associate professor of biology at the University of Washington, studies how climate change affects human-wildlife interactions and increases conflict around the world. In January, she gave the keynote speech at the International Parliamentary Roundtable on Human-Wildlife Coexistence held in Botswana.
March 27, 2026
March research highlights: Nautilus habitat, eco-friendly tennis courts, more
Explore recent research from the University of Washington: the habits and habitats of Nautilus and Allonautilus, how green clay tennis courts remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, why temperature dynamics matter to mussels and what prompts bacteria to attack diatoms.
March 26, 2026
Assessment of nature in the US now available for public comment
A team of 170 scientists and experts — led by Phil Levin, interim executive director of the UW’s EarthLab — has published a draft of a report detailing the health of U.S. nature. While some of the resulting statistics are grim, the report highlights many areas of opportunity. Researchers welcome public comment through May 30.
Four UW researchers named AAAS Fellows
Four University of Washington researchers have been named AAAS Fellows, according to an announcement by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. They are among 449 newly elected fellows from around the world, who are recognized for their “scientifically and socially distinguished achievements” in science and engineering.
March 25, 2026
Ranking: Four UW subject areas place in global top 10
The University of Washington is the best in the U.S. and No. 2 in the world for library and information management, according to the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject released Wednesday. Three other UW subject areas placed in the top 10 in the world: geology, geophysics and Earth and marine sciences.
March 23, 2026
Climate change may complicate avalanche risk across the Pacific Northwest
New research shows that as winters get warmer, more icy crusts may form within snowpacks in much of the Pacific Northwest, increasing the risk of avalanche in some areas and changing the behavior of wildlife across the region.
March 20, 2026
ArtSci Roundup: April 2026
Come curious. Leave inspired. The UW offers an exciting lineup of in-person and online events. From thought-provoking art and music to conversations on culture, history, and science, the UW community invites you to explore, learn, and connect across disciplines throughout the University. And as April comes to a close, see what’s happening in May. Sign up to receive a monthly notice when the ArtSci Roundup has been published. ArtSci On Your Own Time or From Your Own Home Video |…
Q&A: UW professor on Iranian regime, US-Israeli strikes and a divide among the Iranian diaspora
The U.S. and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, which triggered hundreds of retaliatory missiles from Iran. The war is now entering its third week, with Iran reporting more than 1,200 civilians have been killed. Aria Fani, a professor of Persian and Iranian studies at the UW, researches modern Iranian and Afghan histories. He spoke with UW News about the U.S.-Israeli strikes, the impact on Iranians and more.
March 19, 2026
Earthquake scientists reveal how overplowing weakens soil at experimental farm
In a new study, University of Washington researchers examine the impact of tilling on soil moisture and water retention using methods designed for monitoring earthquakes. They show that tilling disrupts important soil microstructures and highlight the potential utility of this method for precision agriculture and more.
March 17, 2026
Video: How do plants know when to bloom? Spring flowering explained by UW chronobiologist
Plants, like people, have a circadian clock and they sense seasonal changes to light and temperature. Plants that bloom in the spring use the longer days and warmer temperatures as seasonal cues that it’s time to bloom.
American Indian and Alaska Native peoples face increased risk for fatal police violence in and around reservations
Indigenous people in the United States are at higher risk of fatal police violence in and around American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) reservations, according to the first comprehensive national study on the subject from researchers at the University of Washington and Drexel University. The researchers found that roughly 73% AIAN people killed by police violence were on or within 10 miles of a reservation.
March 16, 2026
New faculty books: Ordinary people and the global legal order, imperial policing, making of modern Taiwan, and poetry
Recent books from University of Washington faculty and staff include those from legal studies at UW Tacoma, international studies, political science, history and Asian languages and literature.
A built-in warning system: How mosquitoes detect a common compound in plant-based mosquito repellent
Mosquitoes are increasingly becoming resistant to current insecticides, leading to a pressing need for new methods to prevent mosquito bites — and the potential transmission of disease. New research by an international team, including researchers at the UW, reveals that Aedes aegypti mosquitoes use a specific sensory receptor to detect and avoid borneol (pronounced “bor-nee-ohl”), an organic compound found in several aromatic plants, including camphor trees, rosemary and other aromatic herbs.
March 12, 2026
Instead of tracking wolves to prey, ravens remember — and revisit — common kill sites
Researchers tracked ravens and wolves in Yellowstone National Park for two and half years to show that ravens do not follow wolves to scavenge their prey but instead remember where wolves often kill and monitor these sites for fresh meat.