Category Society & Culture
“Crazy Rich Asians” movie offers pressure and possibility, says UW expert
"Racism in Hollywood has also taken a toll in particular on Asian Americans. Asian Americans are an extremely small slice of the national population, so their needs and demands are rarely taken into consideration,” says Lori Kido Lopez. Read More
Could computers help close partisan divides?
Researchers are using artificial intelligence to develop a comprehensive picture of how people communicate about politics, and how those conversations are shaped by media, social networks and personal interactions. Read More
A video game can change the brain, may improve empathy in middle schoolers
In the experimental game, a robot crash lands on an alien planet. In order to rebuild the spaceship, players must, as the robot, build rapport with the aliens by deciphering their emotions. Read More
Bucky on Parade feature: S.V. Medaris
Artist S.V. Medaris was inspired to create Retro Bucky, a display of the various Bucky logos since the 1930s, by her love for the Bucky logo. "I had a Bucky Badger sweatshirt that I wore, like, always," Medaris said after her family moved to Wisconsin from Southern California. "I was in love with that logo/image from the start." Read More
Green County cheesemaker opens major expansion
Klondike Cheese Co. of Monroe is expanding production as it enters its second century of cheesemaking, under the leadership of six Master Cheesemakers certified by UW–Madison’s Center for Dairy Research. Read More
Bob Dylan’s electric guitar and leather jacket inspire a dissertation
The singer-songwriter’s controversial performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival inspired Rivka Maizlish to look into the debate over how Americans have defined "folk." Read More
Away with words: Emoji help brands communicate with customers
A UW–Madison professor's research examines how emoji are used to convey meaning and emotion in written communications, especially on social media. Her favorite? The eye roll. Read More
Students use cool tools to solve local problems in summer Makerspace course
In the UW–Madison Makerspace, students design and build whatever they can imagine in a collaborative environment with cutting-edge tools. Some of their designs solve local challenges. Read More
Study finds fewer middle-skill jobs in U.S. than estimated
Using a new skills index based on federal data, the study finds that 16 percent of all jobs require training beyond high school but less than a bachelor’s degree, compared to previous estimates of one-third to more than one-half of total employment. Read More
Meditation can help during crisis and everyday lives, UW–Madison expert says
Meditation was used to calm the 12 boys trapped in a cave in Thailand before their rescue. A UW–Madison expert says it can help you in your daily life too. Read More
You can vote now in the August primary election
It's not too early to vote in the Aug. 14 primary election. You can request an absentee ballot now using your current Madison address. Read More
Today’s middle school students study yesterday’s people of Aztalan
Every few summers, the park becomes an active archaeological site when Sissel Schroeder leads a field school there, to better understand those who lived at Aztalan nearly 1,000 years ago. Read More
Vacant, but not empty: Student explores use of abandoned properties
Vacant buildings are often seen as remnants of the housing crisis or industries in decline, but graduate student Elsa Noterman says these properties are often put to constructive use. Read More
Wild Wisconsin yeast find their way into bread, beer, and class
A Sheboygan strain of yeast is being tried in both bread and beer, through the work of UW–Madison and its industry partners. One question to be answered: How does it taste? Read More
UW programs among Evjue Foundation award recipients
The charitable arm of the Capital Times is providing $370,500 for 30 campus projects and programs in the humanities, science, the arts, health, media and more. The foundation was established by William T. Evjue, the founder and longtime editor of the Madison newspaper. Read More
Training compassion ‘muscle’ may boost brain’s resilience to others’ suffering
A new study suggests that compassion meditation training may reduce the distress a person feels when witnessing another’s suffering. It may also improve their ability and likelihood to respond with compassion. Read More
UW student named Newman Civic Fellow, recognized for high school outreach program
Wendy Hoang has been honored for creating a high school outreach program for Madison East High School that helps first-generation college students and students of color. Read More
In second year, UniverCity has students, faculty seek solutions to Dane County problems
The UniverCity Year program directed 305 students and 16 faculty members across 11 departments to come up with ways to address Dane County’s housing gap, improve economic development, and protect its water quality. Read More
Homo naledi had a tiny brain but it looked a lot like ours
Scientists and nonscientists alike have often associated larger brains with greater intelligence, but a new study may challenge that notion. “Maybe brain size isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,” says John Hawks, one of the study’s corresponding authors. Read More
Japanese language professor retires, leaving a lasting legacy
Since joining UW–Madison in 1976, Professor Naomi Hanaoka McGloin has become a pioneer in the field of Japanese language and linguistics, making UW–Madison a flagship university for the next generation of Japanese language educators. Read More