College of Arts and Sciences

"As a writing teacher based in college classrooms around Seattle, I find myself returning to a question each time I prep for a new quarter: How should I use or refuse technology?" writes Joe Concannon, part-time lecturer of English at the UW.

The University of Washingtons graduate and professional degree programs again were recognized as among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Reports 2026 Best Graduate Schools released late Monday.

In a short span of time, scientists have identified more than 11,000 new asteroids. Instead of a slow buildup, the discoveries have come in a surge prompting scientists to rethink just how busy and complex the space around us truly is. Mario Juri, professor of astronomy at the UW, is quoted.

Around 11,000 asteroids have been discovered in the solar system by scientists operating the new Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, home to the worlds biggest camera. The haul includes hundreds of distant worlds beyond Neptune and 33 previously unknown near-Earth asteroids. Mario Juri, professor of astronomy at the UW, is quoted.

A simple act like drinking nectar can hide an unexpected scientific story. Sunbirds, small and colorful birds found in many parts of the world, have surprised researchers with a completely new way of feeding. This discovery shows that even well-known animals can still teach us something new about nature. Scientists continue to study such behaviors to better understand how animals adapt and survive. UW research is mentioned.

A neural network based on a nematode worms connectome can puppeteer a digital fruit flys body, a new preprint shows. The work comes just two weeks after Eon Systems, a neurotechnology company based in San Francisco, announced that it had uploaded a fly brain and released a video of that brain controlling a biomechanical fly model in a virtual world. Bing Wen Brunton, professor of biology at the UW, and John Tuthill, professor of neurobiology and biophysics at the UW, are quoted.

Associate Professor Sangram Majumdar was recently featured on Vogue India for his solo exhibition Bad Actors at Galerie Mirchandani + Steinruecke in Mumbai, India.

“[Castalia is] a wonderful space for us to celebrate the hard work that we're all doing,” Em Beckert, a second-year MFA student, said. “On the first level, it was really hard to get into this program, and on the second level, it's really hard to be here and to keep writing and to move your life, in some cases across the country, and to find your voice and just to celebrate all of that.”

The threat of rare, butdeadly diseaseis rising alongside mosquito populations in the Northwest. In response, scientists areresearchinghow mosquitoes detect a common compound in natural repellents. Jeff Riffell, professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.

"On Dec. 30, 2024, my mother, Brenda Louise Baker, died. I have known grief most of my life. I was 9 when my uncle died. By high school, death no longer felt shocking. It felt familiar. I decided I wanted to become a pathologist, as if understanding the science of death might quiet the ache it caused," writes KD Hall, affiliate instructor of communication leadership at the UW.

The University of Washington College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) has announced two new leadership appointments. Candice Rai, UW professor of English and faculty coordinator of the UW in the High School writing program, has been appointed to serve as CAS Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education. Anis Bawarshi, the Thomas L. & Margo G. Wyckoff Endowed Professor of English, has been appointed to serve as Director of the C21 Program. 

New research reports that sunbirds use suction from their tongue to sip nectar. The find is the first example of any vertebrate drinking through suction generated by the tongue alone, rather than by changing the shape of its mouth. A UW research project is mentioned.

On display now at the University of Washingtons Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Woven in Wool: Resilience in Coast Salish Weaving examines the traditional art form and its importance to Coast Salish communities. Kathryn Bunn-Marcuse, associate professor of art history at the UW and curator of Northwest Native American Art at the Burke Museum, is quoted.

New research at the University of Washington could help scientists develop better mosquito repellents as mosquito season grows longer in parts of the Northwest. Jeff Riffell, professor of biology at the UW, is quoted. This story was republished in numerous outlets.

A University of Washington-led team discovered that modern Nautilus and Allonautilus species inhabit deeper waters than their extinct ancestors did over 500 million years ago, with juveniles living at twice the depth of mature adults.