College of Arts and Sciences

"The 2026 legislative session is scheduled to end next week in Olympia, but as teaching professors of journalism at the University of Washington, we are thinking about the beginning," write Andrea Otez and Caley Cook, both teaching professors of communication at the UW.

Richard Wright, professor and chair of the UW Department of Linguistics and, will serve as interim divisional dean of humanities after Brian Reed completes his term in June. 

Arts & Sciences alumnus Spencer Kraisler (BA, Mathematics, 2021), currently a doctoral student in aeronautics & astronautics (A&A) in the College of Engineering, is A&A's 2026 Condit Fellow. His research is informed in part by his undergraduate mathematics training in manifold theory, the study of smooth, curved spaces.

Arts & Sciences alumnus Spencer Kraisler (BA, Mathematics, 2021), currently a doctoral student in aeronautics & astronautics (A&A) in the College of Engineering, is A&A's 2026 Condit Fellow. His research is informed in part by his undergraduate mathematics training in manifold theory, the study of smooth, curved spaces.

Dozens of people across Western Washington and British Columbia reported a bright streak across the sky a little after 9 p.m. Most called it a fireball.Chris Laws, teaching professor of astronomy at the UW, is quoted.

Recent awards celebrate Arts & Sciences faculty for their research, outreach, lifetime achievements, and more. 

Pulitzer-winning reporter Evelyn Iritani uncovers the diplomatic exchange of American and Japanese civilians while the two countries were at war.

If you happened to spot a honey bee buzzing around Spokane this February, you would be forgiven for thinking it too early in the year for their forage. Rather than waiting for a time of year, honey bees rely on temperature cues to determine when they should begin their flights. Takato Imaizumi, a professor of biology at the UW, is mentioned.

Seabirds are among the indicator species that provide rich insight into the health of their ecosystems. In a new book, Eric Wagner, a research scientist in biology at the UW, follows a team of scientists as they seek to understand how climate change is affecting our region.

"The events of this past year have both instigated and brought to light seismic changes in higher education that will affect us for decades to come. Among the most dramatic is the changing landscape for graduate and professional education, which have long bolstered our countrys competitiveness by serving as a magnet for top international talent," writes Ana Mari Cauce, professor of psychology and UW president emerita.

An astronomical alert system developed at the UW started off with a bang this week, sending out 800,000 notifications about moving asteroids, exploding stars and other celestial changes detected by the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile. Eric Bellm, research associate professor of astronomy at the UW, is quoted.

Quintard Taylor, professor emeritus of history at the UW, was a pioneering historian, educator and founder of BlackPast.org. Taylor transformed the study of African American history and expanded its reach to millions across the globe.

Between college and "the real world," design alum and animator Vivian Cho (BDes 2025) was the 2025 Artist in Residence at the University Bridge. Her final project will be on display at ARTS at King Street Station from June 4 through August 8, 2026.

Pulitzer-Prize winning editorial cartoonist David Horsey tells stories in long hand with his novel “Beach of Stars.”

The night sky promises Seattle an array of celestial wonders this year, one of which is a six-planet parade Saturday.Chris Law, a principal research scientist of biology at the UW and an affiliate curator at the UW Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, is quoted.