UW News
The latest news from the UW
July 25, 2024
How iBuyers are changing real estate racial disparities and individual homeownership rates in one major city
University of Washington researchers investigated how iBuyers — companies that use automated algorithms to quickly buy and sell homes — have affected the well-documented racial bias against Black home sellers. Looking at Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, they found that on average iBuyers paid more equal prices to Black and white home sellers than individual buyers, largely because iBuyers paid white sellers significantly less on average than an individual buyer. They also discovered that iBuyers were significantly more likely to resell homes to institutions, such as large rental companies that’ve been tied to high eviction rates and rent-gouging.
Tag(s): Information School • Isaac Slaughter • Nicholas Weber
Q&A: Nail salon air is filled with fragrance chemicals — could they harm workers’ health?
A study led by UW researcher Diana Ceballos is most comprehensive study to date of the specific fragrance chemical mixtures found in nail salon air, and will allow researchers to further study the potential health risks.
Tag(s): air pollution • Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences • Diana Ceballos • occupational health • School of Public HealthJuly 23, 2024
Q&A: UW researcher aims to understand common women’s sports injuries
Several common injuries seem to haunt women’s sports. Jenny Robinson, a University of Washington assistant professor, is interested in designing better methods to help female athletes train to prevent and recover from injuries.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Mechanical Engineering • Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine • Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine • Jenny Robinson • UW MedicineJuly 17, 2024
New faculty books: Traditional Syrian cuisine, Indigenous ecological knowledge, data science for researchers
Three new faculty books from the University of Washington cover the recipes and culture of the world’s largest Syrian refugee camp, traditional ecological knowledge of Indigenous peoples and data science for neuroimaging researchers. UW News spoke with the authors to learn more. Documenting history and rituals of Syrian cuisine When Karen E. Fisher was invited…
Tag(s): Ariel Rokem • College of Arts and Sciences • Department of Psychology • eScience Institute • Information School • Karen Fisher • Michelle Montgomery • UW TacomaJuly 16, 2024
Q&A: The climate change toll on roads — two UW professors weigh in
Two University of Washington researchers are investigating how to mitigate the effects of climate change on common road pavements, such as asphalt and concrete.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering • Nara Almeida • Stephen Muench • UW Tacoma
Even on Instagram, teens mostly feel bored
New research from the University of Washington finds that teens open Instagram because they’re bored. Then they sift through largely irrelevant content, mostly feeling bored, while seeking interesting bits to share with their friends in direct messages. Then, eventually bored with what researchers call a “content soup,” they log off.
Tag(s): Alexis Hiniker • Information School • Katie Davis • Rotem LandesmanJuly 10, 2024
Wolves’ return has had only small impact on deer populations in NE Washington, study shows
Wolves returned to Washington state in 2008. A new study shows that, despite their rising numbers, wolves are not having much of an impact on white-tailed deer, one of their primary prey. In a paper published June 18 in Ecological Applications, scientists from the University of Washington and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife report that the biggest factor shaping white-tailed deer populations in northeast Washington is the quality of habitat available, which is largely determined by human activity. Cougars were second in their impact. Wolves were a distant third.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • conservation • ecology • Laura Prugh • School of Environmental and Forest SciencesJuly 1, 2024
Q&A: How the H5N1 bird flu outbreak could become humanity’s problem
A major outbreak of a new strain of bird flu — formally named Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 — has killed millions of wild birds and infected poultry, dairy cattle, domestic cats and a small number of humans. UW experts explain how bird flu evolves and what it could mean for humans.
Tag(s): Center for One Health Research • Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences • Department of Epidemiology • infectious disease • Julianne Meisner • Peter Rabinowitz • School of Public HealthJune 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.
Tag(s): RankingsJune 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.
Tag(s): Hilaire Thompson • School of Nursing • Tricia SerioJune 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.
Tag(s): Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology and Experiences • College of Engineering • Jennifer Mankoff • Kate Glazko • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & EngineeringJune 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…
Tag(s): College of Arts and Sciences • Henry Art Gallery • Jacob Lawrence Gallery • School of Art + Art History + Design
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.
Tag(s): Abigail Swann • climate change • College of Arts and Sciences • College of the Environment • Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science • Department of BiologyJune 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.
Tag(s): Ana Mari CauceJune 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.
Tag(s): Information School • Katherine CrossJune 3, 2024
Video: Before they bite — UW researcher homes 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.
Tag(s): College of Arts & Sciences • Department of Biology • Jeffrey Riffell
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.
Tag(s): Commencement
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.
Tag(s): College of Arts and Sciences • Department of Psychology • Gregg Muragishi
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.
Tag(s): Brotherhood Initiative • Gayle Christiansen • Joe Lott • Office of Global Affairs • Sisterhood Initiative • study abroadMay 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…
Tag(s): Astrobiology Program • Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology • Department of American Ethnic Studies • Department of Sociology • Jacob Lawrence Gallery • School of Art + Art History + Design • School of Music • South Asia Center • UW Honors Program • West Coast Poverty Center
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.
Tag(s): Christina Zhao • Department of Linguistics • Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences • Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences • Naja Ferjan Ramirez
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.
Tag(s): Information School • Jason Yip • Jin Ha Lee • Michele NewmanMay 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.
Tag(s): Allison Webel • Larry Dalton • School of Nursing
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.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering • In the Field • Joel Eklof • Rebecca NeumannMay 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…
Tag(s): Astrobiology Program • Burke Museum • Center for Global Studies • Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology • Department of Classics • Department of Psychology • Jacob Lawrence Gallery • School of Art + Art History + Design • School of Music • The Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies
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.
Tag(s): Bandhav Veluri • College of Engineering • Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering • Malek Itani • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering • Shyam Gollakota • Tuochao ChenMay 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.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science • Lynn McMurdie • weatherMay 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…
Tag(s): Department of American Ethnic Studies • Department of Gender • Department of Geography • Department of Political Science • Henry M. Jackson School for International Studies • Jacob Lawrence Gallery • School of Art + Art History + Design • School of Drama • School of Music • Taiwan Studies Program • The Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies • Women & Sexuality StudiesMay 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.
Tag(s): Fulbright Program • The Graduate School • Undergraduate Academic Affairs
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.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • conservation • Gregory Bratman • Nature and Health • School of Environmental and Forest Sciences
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.
Tag(s): College of Engineering • Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering • Shengzhi WangMay 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.
Tag(s): Applied Physics Laboratory • Benjamin Smith • College of Engineering • College of the Environment • David Shean • Department of Atmospheric and Climate Science • Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering • Lyatt JaegleMay 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…
Tag(s): Burke Museum • Department of Communication • Department of Dance • Department of French and Italian Studies • Department of Gender Women and Sexuality Studies • Department of German Studies • Department of History • Department of Political Science • Department of Psychology • DXARTS • Henry Art Gallery • Henry M. Jackson Foundation • Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies • jackson school • School of Music • Simpson Center for the Humanities • UW Alumni Association • UW Center for Human Rights
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.
Tag(s): College of the Environment • Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences • Edmund Seto • Julian Olden • Population Health Initiative • public health • School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences • School of Public Health
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.
Tag(s): Amy Zhang • College of Engineering • Information School • Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering • Tanu MitraNext Page »
