College of Arts and Sciences

Like many little girls, a young Kristi Yamaguchi loved playing with Barbie. With a schedule packed with ice skating practices, her Barbie dolls became her “best friends.” So, it’s surreal for the decorated Olympian figure skater to now be a Barbie girl herself. Sapna Cheryan, professor of psychology at the UW, is quoted.

As computer programming becomes an increasingly valued skill in the workforce, there is a greater need to understand how people learn to code most effectively. UW News spoke with co-authors Chantel Prat, a UW professor of psychology, and Chu-Hsuan (Iris) Kuo, a recent UW doctoral graduate of psychology, about their research, the future of teaching computer programming and more.

Rotarians gathered in April for an insightful panel discussion on the deepening connections between the Pacific Northwest and South Asia. The event boasted a distinguished lineup of speakers, including Radhika Govindrajan, associate professor of anthropology at the UW.

Hummingbirds, I realized, are not just adorable. They're also jerks. Yes, jerks. But don't take my word for it. Alyssa Sargent, doctoral student of biology at the UW, is quoted.

A tradition dating back to 1874, election as an AAAS Fellow is a lifetime honor, and all fellows are expected to meet the commonly held standards of professional ethics and scientific integrity.

Jordan Jones has been appointed as the next Director and Curator of the Jacob Lawrence Gallery, to begin in April 2024. In her role as Director and Curator, Jones will provide curatorial, programming, and administrative leadership and oversight in a newly renovated state-of-the-art exhibition space within the School of Art + Art History + Design at the UW Seattle campus. 

“For me, art has always been, more than anything, a container for conversation … I want [this gallery] to be a space where folks can meet and have a really vital, productive kind of social experience," said Jordan Jones. Getting to know Jacob Lawrence Gallery’s new director and curator. 

At a recent workshop, researchers and journalists debated how to announce a potential discovery of extraterrestrial life. Victoria Meadows, professor of astronomy at the UW, is quoted.

Q: Why would someone cheat at pub trivia? A: Oh boy... Michael Blake, professor of philosophy and of public policy and governance at the UW, is quoted.

How embracing more integrated approaches to the humanities and centering students’ experiences can create opportunities for new curricular programs and benefit existing ones. Brian Reed, professor of English and Divisional Dean of Humanities at the UW, is mentioned.

This week, head to Meany Hall for multiple Grammy Awards recipient Yefim Bronfman’s performance, learn from panelists during “What Makes a Good Art Critic?”, explore “The Imperative Challenges of Sustainability for the Forgotten” during the Center for Environmental Politics’ talk, and more. April 15, 3:30 – 5:00 pm | TALK | ‘Silver Democracy: Youth Representation...

While music is often praised for enhancing academic performance, its role in health is far more important, especially given the recent uptick in youth mental health issues. Beyond music therapy, research indicates that music participation and education supports the development of children’s emotional intelligence, creativity, and physical and mental health. A guest editorial by School of Music master's student Nicole Stankovic.

“3 Body Problem,” a Netflix adaptation of the popular Chinese sci-fi novel by the same name, is causing controversy in China for its depiction of the Cultural Revolution. How do the Chinese people see this crucial period of their history? Madeleine Dong, professor of history at the UW, is interviewed.

Seattle’s cloudy weather made for an anticlimactic viewing of Monday’s solar eclipse. Still, that didn’t stop dozens of people who flocked to the UW’s Physics-Astronomy Building, hoping for the clouds to lift, so they could catch a glimpse of this once-in-a-generation event. The UW's Oliver Fraser, assistant teaching professor in astronomy, and Giovanni Gollotti, a student, are quoted.

There's a spot on the UW Bothell campus that is known for murders. Not the kind that elicit blood-curdling screams. The kind punctuated by caws and the flapping of thousands of wings, which may be equally terrifying — depending on your opinion of crows. Loma Pendergraft, lecturer of psychology at the UW, is quoted.