Category Society & Culture
More homes built near wild lands leading to greater wildfire risk
New research out of the University of Wisconsin–Madison shows that a flurry of homebuilding near wild areas since 1990 has greatly increased the number of homes at risk from wildfires while increasing the costs associated with fighting those fires in increasingly dense developments. Read More
Kids with easy access to firearms are more likely to be depressed
Easy access to a gun at home is bad for a child’s mental health, particularly for girls, according to a new examination of a study of American schoolchildren from the 1990s. Read More
New ed-tech platform recognizes professors’ contributions to higher education
A social work professor has created "Prof2Prof," where academics can store and share work such as curricula, quizzes, assignment sheets and studies. Read More
Former UW–Madison Chancellor Irving Shain dies at 92
Shain, who advanced the university’s interests in China and established University Research Park, died peacefully in Madison after a brief illness. He was 92. Read More
Popular podcast course teaches there’s more to the medium than the latest buzzworthy show
The course not only exposes students to a variety of podcasts, but also teaches them to think critically about sound and gives them hands-on experience with manipulating audio. Read More
Creative Writing fellow wins national poetry award
In talking about the inspiration for her collection of poetry, Tiana Clark explains 'For me, trees will never be just trees. They will also and always be a row of gallows from which Black bodies once swung.' Read More
History Ph.D. candidate tells how immigrants from Mexico helped shape Wisconsin’s story
Ph.D. candidate Sergio González, who grew up in a tightly knit Latino community in Milwaukee, traces the diverse history of Mexicans in Wisconsin in his new book. Read More
New exhibit pushes viewers to connect with an African tradition of honoring ancestors
Students, staff and faculty collaborated to create “Whirling Return of the Ancestors," which highlights one tradition of the Yorùbá people in Western Africa. Read More
Survey results suggest the newly expanded Our Wisconsin program is making inroads
In its second year, the Our Wisconsin inclusion program at UW–Madison expanded four-fold to 4,332 students, and survey results suggest it is increasing awareness of and respect for diversity on campus. Read More
UW-Madison celebrates International Women’s Day March 3
The event highlights and reflects on the work of those who have been engaged in improving conditions for women locally, nationally and internationally, Read More
Aldo Leopold’s writings given voice March 3 at UW Arboretum
The 13th annual Madison Reads Leopold event on Saturday, March 3, will feature a reading of the influential conservationist’s “A Sand County Almanac” and other writings. Read More
Outstanding Women of Color honored
In a campus tradition dating back to 2007-2008, the award celebrates women who share their exceptional scholarship with the campus and community through their dedicated work, outreach and impact. Read More
New research reimagines anti-poverty policies and the social safety net
A selection of innovative anti-poverty policy proposals by leading social scientists, including some from UW–Madison, explores alternatives to shrinking federal programs. Read More
UW Press book inspires national framework for teaching about slavery
A new report found a broad failure of textbooks, state standards and pedagogy to adequately address the role slavery played in the development of the United States — or how its legacies still influence us today. Read More
Voter IDs for students available at two sites on campus during Tuesday’s primary election
If you're a student who needs a voter ID card, they’re available at the Wiscard office at Union South and another site at Gordon Dining and Event Center, which both will remain open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Read More
Dean Shim sends well wishes to Badger Olympians
School of Human Ecology Dean Soyeon Shim wishes Badger Olympians well, and teaches us a few key phrases in Korean. Read More
Obama portraits break new ground artistically and culturally, UW expert says
From the day Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald were announced as the artists charged with painting former President Barack Obama and First lady Michelle Obama, Leslie Smith III waited in suspense for the reveal. Read More
Chat tool simplifies tricky online privacy policies
A UW–Madison researcher has helped develop a unique online chatbot that can answer, in simple language, questions about specific privacy policies without requiring users themselves to weed through all of the fine print. Read More
Roses are red; write a love poem this Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to think outside the heart-shaped chocolate box by putting pen to paper and writing a love poem. Here are some tips. Read More
At forum, praise for #MeToo — and a call for men to step up
A call for men to be part of the solution was a major theme of the event, which provided timely context to the current national reckoning on sexual harassment and assault. Read More