College of Arts and Sciences

The free trade era that has defined the U.S. economy for decades made clear winners and losers. It tanked the Rust Belt, but sent the Pacific Northwest’s global economy to new heights. Washington state has always benefited from its international companies and the free flow of talent across borders. So what does the potential end of the free trade era mean for our economy? Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW, is interviewed.

Nuclear fission has powered our world and medical advancements for decades, yet some of its secrets have remained elusive. Aurel Bulgac, professor of physics at the UW, is quoted.

It’s not clear how the juvenile male ended up so far north, but experts suggest he was motivated by his appetite. Dee Boersma, professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.

Silicon Valley didn’t shift right. It just wants to be left alone. Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

"While voters overwhelmingly rejected I-2117 by a 62%-38% margin (that is, voted to continue cap-and-invest), they narrowly supported I-2066 by a 51% - 49% margin (that is, they opposed transitioning from gas)," write the UW's Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science.

The UW's political science professors James Long and Victor Menaldo are interviewed on whether the U.S. election was the latest eruption of populism across the globe.

A team led by scientists at the University of Washington and the University of Aberdeen attached tiny âbackpackâ trackers to hummingbirds in the Colombian Andes to learn more about their movements. As they report in a paper published Oct. 10 in the journal Ecology and Evolution, the tracking system will aid conservation efforts in this region by revealing the previously hidden movements of hummingbirds and other small animals.

Standing on the beach in the small town of Denmark in Western Australia on Friday afternoon was a male emperor penguin, about 2,100 miles from where one might expect to find it, in Antarctica. Dee Boersma, professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.

The prescription to fix the Democratic Party after a historic loss in the presidential race, likely won’t be found in Washington State. Victor Menaldo, professor of political science at the UW, is quoted.

"Being a first-generation student means breaking barriers and boundaries for myself and for others. I feel a deep responsibility to push myself to step outside of my comfort zone and enter uncharted territories to advocate for my community." - Kimberly Il, Student

"From my extended experience as a first-gen student, the most important thing is to acknowledge what you do not know. Treat every moment of confusion as an opportunity to build your collection of knowledge and every new environment or experience as a pathway to learn more about yourself." - Adrian Guerrero, Student

"Being a first-gen to me means having to navigate higher education largely on my own. I never take the chance to enter college and grad school for granted, and I'm really grateful for how far I've come." - Linhang Huang, Student

"I would encourage current and future first-gen students to not be afraid to ask questions and lean on people around you. There’s a lot that we don’t know about navigating academic spaces and so many of the mistakes I’ve made could have been avoided if I had the skills to communicate my needs." - Keila Taylor, Student

"To current and future first-generation students, I would like to say this: Your unique experiences and perspectives are so valuable; they have the power to inspire. Remember, your story matters." - Bogdan Brunsh, Student

"My experiences as a first-generation college student shaped my values of learning, growth, and community, which led to the start of my career working at various nonprofits and pursuing a Masters degree in Nonprofit Leadership." - Kimmy Nguyen, Alum