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
The Commons at the University of Kansas will host nonfiction writer Margaret Renkl for the Kenneth A. Spencer Lecture in conversation with Megan Kaminski, poet and professor of environmental studies, on Nov. 3. A second event that day will offer attendees a chance to visit Akin Prairie with Renkl, Kaminski and area land stewards.
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.
Brandon Kilbourne, a research biologist at the Berlin Museum of Natural History, is the author of “Natural History” (Graywolf, 2025) and the winner of the 2025 Cave Canem Prize. He will visit KU Nov. 17-18 and participate in two public events.
More news
Evolutionary biologist and poet Brandon Kilbourne to visit KU
Brandon Kilbourne, a research biologist at the Berlin Museum of Natural History, is the author of “Natural History” (Graywolf, 2025) and the winner of the 2025 Cave Canem Prize. He will visit KU Nov. 17-18 and participate in two public events.
Author Margaret Renkl to give fall 2025 Spencer Lecture
The Commons at the University of Kansas will host nonfiction writer Margaret Renkl for the Kenneth A. Spencer Lecture in conversation with Megan Kaminski, poet and professor of environmental studies, on Nov. 3. A second event that day will offer attendees a chance to visit Akin Prairie with Renkl, Kaminski and area land stewards.
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.
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.