News


Mon, 04/22/2024

Afrofuturist performance group to offer 3 world-building experiences April 24-26 in Lawrence

The AfroRithm Futures Group (ARFG) will be in Lawrence April 24-26, offering three public events during a residency at the University of Kansas.
Tue, 04/16/2024

Scholar will give talk on book connecting cannabis industry to settler colonialism

Yurok/Hupa/Oneida scholar Kaitlin Reed will speak about research that contributed to her book “Settler Cannabis: From Gold Rush to Green Rush in Indigenous Northern California.” The free public event will take place at 7 p.m. April 17.
Wed, 04/10/2024

Essayist, poet, MacArthur Fellow Hanif Abdurraqib will give talk in Lawrence

Writer Hanif Abdurraqib will visit Lawrence as part of his current book tour for a talk at 7 p.m. April 16 at Liberty Hall. He will read from his latest book, “There’s Always This Year” (Random House, 2024).
Fri, 03/29/2024

KU Global Climate Teach-in returns for third year

This year, KU Global Climate Teach-in events will include a panel on climate feminism and inclusive leadership, a zine workshop and screening of the documentary "Hot Times in the Heartland." Events begin April 2.
Tue, 03/26/2024

All We Can Save series will highlight discussion on clean energy transition

The All We Can Save series at the University of Kansas returns March 28 with a virtual event titled “The Power of Local Advocacy: Beyond Coal to Clean Energy,” featuring Mary Anne Hitt, senior director of Climate Imperative.
Fri, 03/01/2024

Educate & Act Series will cover Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act

An ongoing series at the University of Kansas will host virtual events this semester for the Jayhawk community to learn more about the policies and procedures that characterize democracy in the United States and connects attendees to resources for further learning.
Wed, 02/28/2024

Interdisciplinary Red Hot Research sessions return for spring 2024 semester

The Commons at the University of Kansas will host Red Hot Research sessions throughout March and April 2024, including three themed sessions with faculty presenters, one graduate student session and two collaborative sessions co-hosted by internal, interdisciplinary awards.
Mon, 02/19/2024

Series on misinformation and wellness of democracy resumes Feb. 21

KU panelists will discuss “Historical Fact, Whiteness, and the Challenge to preserve Our Democracy” at a virtual event.
Fri, 09/22/2023

The Commons announces Global Revolution film series

LAWRENCE — A new film series at the University of Kansas will explore the theme of revolution around the globe. The first event will take place at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at The Forum in Marvin Hall, featuring the 2013 film “The Square.”...

Wed, 09/20/2023

Red Hot Research returns for its 12th year

LAWRENCE — Red Hot Research returns for three sessions this fall, offering a fast-paced, presentation-style event from The Commons at the University of Kansas as a way of introducing colleagues to one another. ...

Fri, 09/01/2023

Educate & Act Series continues in fall with opportunities to learn about recent local activism, upcoming election participation

LAWRENCE — The Educate & Act series, led by the Center for Service Learning, the Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity and The Commons, will host two events this semester for students, staff, and faculty at the University of Kansas. This series offers opportunities to learn more about...

Fri, 08/25/2023

KU Common Book Program announces 2023-24 events

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Common Book Program will host a slate of activities and events surrounding the 2023-24 Common Book selection, “Parable of the Sower,” by American science fiction writer Octavia Butler. ...

Wed, 03/29/2023

April Red Hot Research sessions to highlight graduate research, racial equity projects

LAWRENCE — The Red Hot Research series returns in April with two sessions focused on graduate student research and racial equity. ...

Tue, 03/21/2023

Second KU-led Global Climate Teach-in offers local perspectives to worldwide event

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas scholars and students as well as activists and area professionals will share their research and advocacy as part of a global effort to come together around solutions and education for the climate crisis. The second annual Global Climate Teach-in will take place March 29 at...

Thu, 01/26/2023

Educate & Act Series resumes in spring 2023 with new topics around civic engagement, democracy

LAWRENCE — The Educate & Act series, led by The Commons, the Center for Service Learning and the Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity, will host four virtual events in spring 2023 for University of Kansas students, staff and faculty. This series offers opportunities to learn more about...

Wed, 01/18/2023

Best-selling author, poet Ross Gay to give 2023 Kenneth Spencer Lecture

Feb. 16 update: This event has been postponed due to illness. ...

Fri, 11/04/2022

Artist Fereshteh Toosi to be in Residence Nov. 6-10 with Talk Planned Nov. 9

LAWRENCE — The Commons, in partnership with the Department of Visual Art and the Advanced Poetry Writing class, will host artist Fereshteh Toosi at the University of Kansas this month. Toosi’s work largely examines the relationships between humans and nature, and they utilize multiple media to create experiences for audiences. ...

Thu, 09/22/2022

New Series Will Explore Disinformation and How University Communities Can Respond

LAWRENCE — A new virtual series this fall at the University of Kansas will ask important questions about the threats that misinformation and disinformation pose to democracy, while pairing these challenges with a consideration of care — for ourselves and our communities. ...

Thu, 09/08/2022

The Commons announces Red Hot Research Dates for fall 2022

LAWRENCE — Red Hot Research returns this fall with in-person events for University of Kansas researchers. Red Hot Research is a regular Friday event at The Commons, built of five short presentations by faculty and graduate researchers across the university to open the door for new ways of understanding research...

Tue, 09/06/2022

Educate & Act Series will offer opportunities to learn about civic participation

LAWRENCE — The Educate & Act series, led by The Commons, the Center for Service Learning and the Emily Taylor Center for Women & Gender Equity at the University of Kansas, will host three virtual events this fall for students, staff and faculty. ...

Tue, 04/26/2022

Climate scientist, author to give 2022 Kenneth Spencer Lecture

LAWRENCE – Climate scientist and author Katharine Hayhoe will give the 2022 Spencer Lecture, “Saving Us: An Evening with Katharine Hayhoe,” inspired by her latest book. The event, hosted by The Commons at the University of Kansas, will take place at 7 p.m. April 27 as a Zoom webinar. Additionally,...

Tue, 04/26/2022

Climate scientist, author to give 2022 Kenneth Spencer Lecture

LAWRENCE – Climate scientist and author Katharine Hayhoe will give the 2022 Spencer Lecture, “Saving Us: An Evening with Katharine Hayhoe,” inspired by her latest book. The event, hosted by The Commons at the University of Kansas, will take place at 7 p.m. April 27 as a Zoom webinar. Additionally,...

Wed, 03/23/2022

Global climate teach-in event to offer local perspectives across domains to worldwide event

LAWRENCE — Students, scholars, activists and area professionals will share short presentations about their research and practice as part of a global effort to facilitate discussion around solutions and education for the climate crisis. The climate teach-in will take place from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. March 30 at Maceli’s...

Tue, 03/22/2022

Science reporter, producer Kendra Pierre-Louis to speak in 'All We Can Save' series

LAWRENCE – The collaborative University of Kansas virtual series inspired by contributors to the book “All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis” will return for a second event this spring. Climate reporter and journalist Kendra Pierre-Louis will be in conversation with A.D. Boynton II for...

Mon, 03/21/2022

Acclaimed author, researcher Naomi Oreskes to present at The Commons

LAWRENCE — Naomi Oreskes, co-author of “Merchants of Doubt” and a world-renowned geologist, historian and public speaker, will present “Why Trust Science?” at 5:30 p.m. April 5 at The Commons. Oreskes, a leading voice on the role of science in society and the reality of anthropogenic climate change, will give...

Tue, 02/22/2022

Health Humanities and Arts Research Collaborative awards seed grants to 3 interdisciplinary, interprofessional research teams

LAWRENCE – The Health Humanities and Arts Research Collaborative (HHARC) at the University of Kansas has made part of its mission to support existing and emerging collaborative research at the intersection of health and humanities and arts disciplines. Along these lines, HHARC has awarded a second round of seed grant...

Thu, 02/10/2022

KU units partner in support, leadership of Paper Plains Literary Festival

LAWRENCE — Several University of Kansas units are partners and sponsors of the Paper Plains Literary Festival, which will take place April 8-9 at Liberty Hall. The festival’s recently announced lineup features authors Angeline Boulley, Sarah Smarsh and Colson Whitehead as keynote speakers. ...

Mon, 01/31/2022

Author Leah Penniman to speak in collaborative series on climate justice (Opens in new window)

LAWRENCE – The collaborative virtual series inspired by contributors to the book “All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis” returns to the University of Kansas in spring 2022. The first event features farmer, food sovereignty activist, author and soil steward Leah Penniman at noon Feb. ...

Mon, 01/24/2022

Spencer Museum, The Commons, Office of Graduate Studies welcome graduate students back to campus

LAWRENCE – Three University of Kansas campus partners who serve graduate students across disciplines through their work will host a welcome-back, drop-in reception between 3-6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, at the Spencer Museum of Art. ...

Fri, 12/10/2021

KU to host second annual Summit on Community-Engaged Learning and Scholarship

The KU Center for Service Learning will host the second annual virtual Summit on Community-Engaged Learning and Scholarship from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 13, 2022. The goal of the summit is to engage, connect and support University of Kansas faculty, staff, administrators and community partners with interest in:...