Category Society & Culture
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
Jazz great Ben Sidran’s archives donated to UW–Madison libraries
The nearly 100 boxes of materials include everything from personal and professional correspondence, music manuscripts and drafts of song lyrics, master tapes, unedited radio interviews, and photographs and posters. Read More
Grand Challenge Transform grants supporting interdisciplinary projects designed to back youth and families in Wisconsin
The Grand Challenges initiative developed in UW–Madison’s School of Education is awarding grants to four projects that display the potential to transform lives by supporting young people and families in Wisconsin. Read More
After #BlackandHooded goes viral, UW–Madison alums unexpectedly find themselves leading a movement
Two UW–Madison graduates created a #BlackandHooded website, which displays photos and connects prospective and current black graduate students with black professionals who’ve earned advanced degrees. The idea has taken off. Read More
For this graduate, memes became the start of something big
The Facebook group UW Memes for Milk-Chugging Teens has become a rapid-fire broadcaster of all manner of campus humor and its founder, Shane Linden, has become Internet famous. Read More
Students help capture campus protest voices from 50 years ago through public history project
UW–Madison students who helped collect and process audio interviews about the 1967 Dow protests on campus say they learned some valuable lessons from the accounts. Read More
Asian Studies celebrates new degree program
The Asian Languages and Cultures (ALC) department hosted a symposium last Friday to highlight Asian studies students and the departments’ new degree program. Read More
NEH grant to reunite radio history
Communication Arts associate professor Eric Hoyt is a leader of Unlocking the Airwaves, a collaborative project that will bring together split archival material from the National Association of Educational Broadcasters and create a resource for scholars, educators and the public. Read More
New vice provost of UW–Madison Libraries chosen
Lisa R. Carter, associate director of special collections and area studies at the Ohio State University Libraries, has been selected to lead UW–Madison Libraries. She succeeds Ed Van Gemert, who is retiring. Read More
A shock to the system: Spring has finally sprung
“We always want what we can’t have — and for months, we’ve wanted sunshine and warm weather. Now that we have it, though, there’s a bit of pressure to enjoy every moment,” says Christine Whelan. Read More
Slowly but surely, driverless cars are on their way
The Autonom Shuttle, an 11-seat driverless vehicle made by the French company Navya, offered a glimpse of the future of transportation with free tours of campus this week. Read More