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The Commons in the News

The Commons offers opportunities to engage through in-person and virtual programs, dialogues, and events. We invite you to read more about what we've done, and where we're going.


Prominent News



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Educate & Act at the University of Kansas returns in its sixth year to host discussions with scholars, practitioners, students and the community about topics relevant to current events and active engagement with governing systems.
Shalini Kantayya portrait
The Commons and the Institute for Information Sciences (I2s) will host a virtual talk April 30 by filmmaker Shalini Kantayya as a keynote talk in the Navigating Our Worlds Series. This event is presented in collaboration with University Honors Program and its Common Cause initiative.
Seated individuals smiling and talking during Engaged Reading Discussion at the University of Kansas
Engaged Reading, a collaborative series at the University of Kansas that offers a platform for idea exchange across experiences and knowledge, will resume Sept. 11. Each session features conversation facilitators whose KU research and work spans academic disciplines and broader systems of knowledge.

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Engaged Reading Discussion

Engaged Reading series opens with ‘On Freedom’ on Sept. 11

Engaged Reading, a collaborative series at the University of Kansas that offers a platform for idea exchange across experiences and knowledge, will resume Sept. 11. Each session features conversation facilitators whose KU research and work spans academic disciplines and broader systems of knowledge.
top portion of university campanile

Educate & Act series will address journalistic accountability, voting rights, role of higher education in democracy

Educate & Act at the University of Kansas returns in its sixth year to host discussions with scholars, practitioners, students and the community about topics relevant to current events and active engagement with governing systems.
Shalini Kantayya portrait

Award-winning filmmaker Shalini Kantayya, creator of ‘Coded Bias’ and ‘TikTok, Boom,’ to offer virtual event

The Commons and the Institute for Information Sciences (I2s) will host a virtual talk April 30 by filmmaker Shalini Kantayya as a keynote talk in the Navigating Our Worlds Series. This event is presented in collaboration with University Honors Program and its Common Cause initiative.
Kansas River

Global Climate Teach-in to bring together perspectives related to climate change, offers opportunities to build community

For the fourth year, KU is participating in the Worldwide Climate Education Week, led by Bard College. Five events offer opportunities to come together in different settings around education about the climate crisis.