Perspectives Newsletter

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  2026 Awards of Excellence

  Six Arts & Sciences faculty, students, and alumni are among the recipients of 2026 UW Awards of Excellence for their teaching, volunteerism, and innovation. 

  Perspectives newsletter
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  A Breakthrough Prize, Husky 100, and Other Awards

  With the end of the academic year comes recognition of the exceptional work and extraordinary service of faculty, staff, and students across the College.

  Perspectives newsletter

Opportunities to Explore

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  Native Plants and Natural Dyes with Susan Pavel

  July 25, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  Burke Museum
  In this workshop, learn about the native plants around the Burke Museum and how they can be used; then hear about the dyeing process and see samples of native plant dyes. You’ll leave with the information to do your own natural dyeing at home.
   

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  Embracing Ornament: A Conversation with Amir H. Fallah and Charlene Liu

  July 25, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
  PURE Insurance Theatre at Seattle Art Fair
  Held in conjunction with Seattle Art Fair, join Nina Bozicnik, senior curator at the Henry Art Gallery, for a conversation with artists Amir H. Fallah and Charlene Liu, who render vibrant works that reference ornament and decorative aesthetics from a variety of visual traditions. Liu’s mural “Scallion” is on view at the Henry through summer 2027; a large-scale commission by Fallah will open at the Henry in 2027.

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  Visit the Biology Greenhouse

  UW Life Sciences Building (3747 W Stevens Way NE)
  The UW Biology Greenhouse, home to more than 4,000 plants from diverse habitats, is open to the public for walk-in browsing on non-holiday Wednesdays (noon – 4 pm) and on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month (10 am – 2 pm). Docent-led tours for 8+ people are also available but must be booked ahead online.

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  Eric-Paul Riege: ojo|-|ólǫ́

  Through October 25
  Henry Art Gallery
  ojo|-|ólǫ́ is a Henry Art Gallery exhibition of recent and newly commissioned work by Diné artist Eric-Paul Riege (Na’nízhoozhí) that includes sculpture, textile, collage, and video, combining customary Diné practices of weaving, silversmithing, and beading with contemporary cultural forms.

In The News

• King County finds 9% rise in homelessness since 2024

  King County saw a 9% increase in homelessness in the past two years, according to the latest Point-In-Time count data. The total number of people now estimated to be homeless in the region is 18,365. Zack Almquist, UW associate professor of sociology, leads the King County count and is quoted.

  The Seattle Times

• Are crows really our friends?

  Many people form sustained personal connections with their local crows. Some even call the animals their friends. What is harder to determine is whether the crows return the feeling. Carl Bergstrom, UW professor of biology, and John Marzluff, UW professor emeritus of environmental and forest sciences, are quoted.

  Audubon

• Not just for coders: UW’s upcoming AI minor will reach beyond the computer science school

  As students, teachers, and employers wrestle with the demands of an increasingly AI-powered world, the UW has a new proposition: an interdisciplinary AI minor, with an anthropologist and a computer scientist at the helm. Ben Marwick, professor of anthropology, and Magdalena Balazinska, UW professor and director of the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, are co-leaders of the group designing the new curriculum and are quoted. 

  GeekWire

• Humans are changing how nature smells, with risks for wildlife

  A growing body of research shows how air pollution, fertilizers, and fungicides are altering the chemical signals that plants and animals use to communicate. Scientists warn that insect reproduction, foraging, navigation, and even the pollination of crops could be affected. Jeff Riffell, UW professor of biology, is quoted.

  Popular Science

• Researchers at the UW are using concrete vibrators to kill pesky shrimp. Why?

  Burrowing shrimp kick about a handful of sand up to the surface every day and bury clams and oysters, creating a problem for shellfish farmers. UW researchers have found a new way to get rid of the pests with the help of concrete vibrators. Jennifer Ruesink, UW professor of biology, is interviewed.

  KUOW