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Arts and entertainment

February 17, 2016

Arts Roundup: Pianist Robin McCabe, Percussion Ensemble – and ‘The Walk Across America for Mother Earth’

The School of Drama’s new production, “The Walk Across America for Mother Earth,” opens this week. The School of Music presents piano, viola and percussion performances, and the School of Art + Art History + Design offers the latest Critical Issues in Contemporary Art Practice lecture at the Henry Art Gallery. Critical Issues in Contemporary Art Practice Lecture Series: Josh Faught 7:00 p.m., February 18 | Henry Art Gallery The Critical Issues in Contemporary Art Practice lecture series brings together artists and…

Education | Environment | Science | UW and the community

NASA-funded consortium to support science education in Washington, Oregon and Montana

A new program based at the University of Washington will bring together educational institutions, K-12 teachers and informal education organizations to inspire, teach and recruit the next generation of students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The new Northwest Earth and Space Sciences Pipeline, or NESSP, has begun a $10 million, five-year cooperative agreement with NASA that broadens existing programs and launches new efforts throughout Washington, Oregon and Montana, with a particular focus on underserved and underrepresented communities. “The goal is…

News releases | Research | Science | Technology

UW scientists create ultrathin semiconductor heterostructures for new technological applications

University of Washington scientists have successfully combined two different ultrathin semiconductors — each just one layer of atoms thick and roughly 100,000 times thinner than a human hair — to make a new two-dimensional heterostructure with potential uses in clean energy and optically-active electronics.

News releases | Research | Social science

February 11, 2016

Male biology students consistently underestimate female peers, study finds

Female college students are more likely to abandon studies in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines than their male classmates, and new research from the University of Washington suggests that those male peers may play a key role in undermining their confidence. Published this week in the journal PLOS ONE, the study found that males enrolled in undergraduate biology classes consistently ranked their male classmates as more knowledgeable about course content, even over better-performing female students. The over-ranking equated…

Environment | News releases | Research | Science | UW and the community

Bellingham Bay buoy an opportunity to observe marine waters for Northwest Indian College, world

The Center for Coastal Margin Observation and Prediction, through its education partner the University of Washington, is deploying an oceanographic observing buoy in Bellingham Bay this week that will allow Northwest Indian College students both hands-on experience with the technology as well as the ability to study the data from their computers, through the Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems, NANOOS.

News releases | Research | Science

Gravitational waves detected 100 years after Einstein’s prediction

For the first time, scientists have observed ripples in the fabric of spacetime called gravitational waves, arriving at the Earth from a cataclysmic event in the distant universe. This confirms a major prediction of Albert Einstein’s 1915 general theory of relativity and opens an unprecedented new window onto the cosmos.

Arts and entertainment

February 10, 2016

Arts Roundup: UW Symphony, Béla Fleck – and ‘New Drama’

Music is at the forefront this week: the UW Symphony Orchestra gears up to play alongside guest violinist Glenn Dicterow, the Mallethead series returns with a percussion performance in Meany Studio Theater, and world-famous folk artists Béla Fleck and Abagail Washburn give a concert at Meany Hall. The Henry Art Gallery hosts two public events on Valentine’s Day, and the School of Drama explores the meaning of “new drama” in its annual lecture series. UW Symphony with Glenn Dicterow 7:30…

For UW employees | Honors and awards | UW News blog

February 9, 2016

UW’s Professional & Organizational Development team wins national leadership award

If you are a University of Washington supervisor, you have probably participated in the Strategic Leadership Program — a customized training program enhancing communication and managerial skill. Developed and taught by University of Washington Professional & Organizational Development, the program has graduated over 4000 supervisors since it launched almost 16 years ago. On Feb. 4, the Strategic Leadership Program received the top leadership excellence award for Best Corporate University at the national LEAD2016 conference sponsored by HR.com and held at…

Honors and awards | News releases | Research | Science

February 8, 2016

UW biology professor is a finalist for top conservation prize

P. Dee Boersma, a University of Washington professor of biology and Wadsworth Endowed Chair in Conservation Science, is one of six finalists for the prestigious Indianapolis Prize for conservation. Boersma is the first UW faculty member nominated for this prize — the highest honor for animal conservationists — which has been awarded every other year since 2006.

Education | News releases | Research | Social science | UW and the community

February 4, 2016

‘Pushback’ against constant connectivity also reflected in images, study follow-up finds

People expressing the wish to resist constant online connectivity — dubbed “pushback” by University of Washington Information School researchers — is manifested as powerfully in images as in text, further study has found.

Education | Engineering | News releases | Science | Social science | Technology

‘On-ramping’ paves the way for women scientists, engineers to return to academia

Pursuing scientific or engineering careers in industry, government or private research after getting a Ph.D. used to be considered a one-way ticket out of academia. But new UW research finds numerous benefits — to students, researchers and academic institutions looking to diversify their faculty — in making that return trip easier.

Arts and entertainment

February 3, 2016

Arts Roundup: BANDALOOP, Igor Levit – and the Trisha Brown Dance Company

The Trisha Brown Dance Company performs for three nights in Meany Hall, and also gives a site-specific performance at the Seattle Art Museum. Pianist Igor Levit makes his Seattle debut, and the UW Musical Theater program presents the final performances of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”   Trisha Brown Dance Company 8:00 pm, February 4 – 6 | Meany Theater A pioneer and maverick of postmodern dance, Washington state native Trish Brown has spent a lifetime pushing the limits…

Social science | UW News blog

UW hosts daylong public ‘teach-in’ on mass incarceration

The acclaimed 2012 book “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” is the foundation for a daylong “teach-in” at the University of Washington Feb. 9. The event is titled “Perpetual Displacement and Bondage: Understanding Historical and Contemporary Intersections of Mass Incarceration, Racism, and Health.” It’s free and open to the public, and will include four sessions on various aspects of mass incarceration featuring UW faculty members and community speakers. Alison Holcomb, director of the American Civil…

Arts and entertainment | For UW employees | News releases | UW and the community

‘Vertical dance’ on Meany Hall will celebrate UW World Series retrospective of choreographer Trisha Brown

A UW dance faculty member will walk down the side of Meany Hall on Friday, Feb. 5, performing a dance piece titled “Man Walking Down the Side of a Building” by famed choreographer Trisha Brown, a retrospective of whose work is being performed Feb. 4-6 on the Meany stage.

News releases | Research | Social science

January 28, 2016

Study shows U.S. has greater link between low birth weight and inequality

Health disparities are common in developed countries, including the U.S., but at what age those inequities take root and how they vary between countries is less clear. New research from the University of Washington compares the link between income, education and low birth weight in the United States with those in three comparable countries: the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. Low birth weight is a primary risk factor for infant deaths and is considered a key predictor of health and…

Politics and government | Social science | UW and the community

Iowa caucuses: Expectations can trump votes, but will Trump meet expectations?

In the Iowa caucuses, expectations are nearly as important as votes and front-runners must watch their backs, say University of Washington professors who are closely watching this year’s presidential race. The 2016 Iowa caucuses will be held Monday, Feb. 1, pitting Democratic leader Hillary Clinton against Sen. Bernie Sanders and Gov. Martin O’Malley and Republican mogul and mouth Donald Trump against Sen. Ted Cruz among a lineup of largely ineffective opponents. We asked political scientists Mark A. Smith and John…

Arts and entertainment

January 27, 2016

Arts Roundup: Visual Art, So Percussion – and ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’

From art exhibitions to musical theater, dance and percussion – there is an arts event to catch your attention this week. Join John Knight for a lecture about contemporary art or head over to the Henry Art Gallery for an exhibition highlighting conceptions of self, beauty and individual freedom. If you are looking for a laugh, check out “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” a musical comedy presented by the UW Musical Theater program. Critical Issues in Contemporary Art…

Social science

January 22, 2016

UW’s Forefront backs effort to engage gun dealers and pharmacies on suicide prevention

Patty Yamashita was a vivacious, sweet, high-energy woman who balanced a career as an IT manager with a steadfast dedication to her family. She worked long hours but was always home to put dinner on the table and read a bedtime story for her children. “My mother was my hero,” said her son, David. “Usually a boy or man would say that their father showed them the way in terms of growing up and how to live and how to…

Politics and government | Science | Technology | UW and the community

January 21, 2016

Diplomacy and danger in orbit: Saadia Pekkanen moves Jackson School toward role in discussions of space

Saadia Pekkanen, associate director of the Jackson School for International Studies, discusses the school’s growing role in the conversation about space and its ramifications for diplomacy and security.

Arts and entertainment

January 20, 2016

Arts Roundup: Musical Theater, Violist Melia Watras – and Steffani Jemison

UW’s Musical Theater program takes center stage with “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” School of Music’s Melia Watras performs a solo viola recital and the Dance Program showcases choreography by its talented faculty. Catch a free play reading through the School of Drama series Seattle Theatres Lost and Founded, and swing by the Jacob Lawrence Gallery to see its newest exhibit, “Steffani Jemison: Sol.”   Dance Faculty Concert January 20-24 | Meany Studio Theater This popular annual concert…

Official notices

Issuance of Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Computer Science and Engineering II Project

Project Name: Computer Sciences and Engineering II Project Proponent: University of Washington Description: The project involves site selection and construction of a new 130,000 gross square foot above and below grade building to create expansion space for education and research for the computer science and engineering program. The structure will house new instructional space, undergraduate student spaces, research and educational labs, shops, offices and event space. For the purposes of environmental review, four alternatives are analyzed in the document: Alternative 1 (Preferred alternative) –…

Administrative affairs | Education | News releases | Profiles | UW and the community

January 19, 2016

Jennifer Cohen named interim athletic director at the UW

Jennifer Cohen, senior associate athletic director at the University of Washington, has been named interim athletic director, UW President Ana Mari Cauce announced Tuesday. Cohen steps in for Scott Woodward, who announced earlier this month he would be taking a position at Texas A&M University. Cohen’s appointment is effective Feb. 1. “With her years of experience as a senior administrator in our athletic department, Jen will provide excellent leadership as we undertake a national search for a new athletic director,”…

Administrative affairs | News releases | UW News blog

Helen Garrett named new registrar for the University of Washington

Helen Garrett has been selected as the University of Washington’s new university registrar and chief officer for enrollment information services. “Helen emerged as the top candidate from a very deep pool of applicants. Her substantial experience in enrollment management combined with her wealth of knowledge regarding data and student information services were exactly what the registrar search committee was looking for,” said Philip Reid, chair of the registrar search committee and professor of chemistry. “She has the right combination of…