Department of History

A global public besieged by fears of AI got new fuel Monday from Pope Leo XIV, who released a roughly 40,000-word encyclical warning about the technologys potential to worsen inequality, erode workers dignity and automate war. Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

Come curious. Leave inspired. The UW offers an exciting lineup of in-person and online events. From thought-provoking art and music to conversations on culture, history, and science, the UW community invites you to explore, learn, and connect across disciplines throughout the University. 

OpenAI's foray into media comes just a few weeks after executives told staff to cut back on "side quests" and focus on artificial intelligence offerings for businesses. It shut down its AI video app Sora and paused plans to release an erotic chatbot. Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

Since its inception, Apple has not only introduced culture shifting technology like the Macintosh computer and iPhone, it has also influenced how we live here in the Bay Area, on the edge of the continent and a future being cast by technologists, innovators and entrepreneurs. Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW, is interviewed.

Recent books from University of Washington faculty and staff include those from legal studies at UW Tacoma, international studies, political science, history and Asian languages and literature.

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.

Founded in 2007 by late UW professor Quintard Taylor, Blackpast.org is a non-profit website documenting African American history and ancestry.

Kyle Haddad-Fonda, a part-time lecturer of history at the University of Washington, is teaching "Modern Olympic Games" this quarter. The course covers subjects ranging from ideology and national identity to race and the position of women in society.

Come curious. Leave inspired. The UW offers an exciting lineup of in-person and online events. From thought-provoking art and music to conversations on culture, history, and science, the UW community invites you to explore, learn, and connect across disciplines throughout the University. And you don’t have to wait until Marchtake a look at everything still happening this February. In addition,sign up to receive a monthly notice when the ArtSci Roundup has been published. ArtSci On Your Own Time Exhibition |...

While February might be just 28 days, the UW College of Arts & Sciences offers an exciting lineup of more than 40 in-person and online events. From thought-provoking art and music to conversations on culture, history, and science, the UW community invites you to explore, learn, and connect across disciplines throughout the University.

Trump in the World 2.0 Winter Lecture Series, Ancient Mediterranean Incarceration by UW professor Mark Letteney and Matthew D.C. Larsen, a Grad Lab Concert, and 25+ in-person and online events, podcasts, exhibitions, and more.

Looking for gifts that go beyond the typical stocking stuffers? This holiday season, wrap a little UW magic and celebrate learning, culture and connection across the University. From museum and arboretum memberships to books and performances, this curated list highlights meaningful ways you can share the spirit of curiosity and generosity.

Looking for gifts that go beyond the typical stocking stuffers? This holiday season, wrap a little UW magic and celebrate learning, culture and connection across the University. From museum and arboretum memberships to books and performances, this curated list highlights meaningful ways you can share the spirit of curiosity and generosity.

Historian Coll Thrush researches the dark history of Pacific Northwest shipwrecks in "Wrecked." Thrush, who earned his master’s degree and Ph.D. in history at the University of Washington, spent six years combing through archives, oral histories and ship logs to unearth tales of sinking and survival, exploitation and tragedy. But in the process, he discovered a deeper narrative—an exploration of how people, place and power collided along the Northwest coast, and how nature always won.

Sudans civil war has become a humanitarian catastrophe of staggering scale, marked by famine, ethnic cleansing and sexual violence. Christopher Tounsel, associate professor of history at the UW, is interviewed.