Research

What was the Permian Period like? What creatures thrived there before the period came to an abrupt end? Thanks to efforts by an international research team, 17 years of fossils collected in Africa may help us paint a better picture of this time period before the Great Dying event altered life on our planet. Christian Sidor, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Burke Museum and professor of biology, is quoted.

Today the UW announced the results of a study looking at the potential influence artificial intelligence can have on our political decision making.Jillian Fisher, doctoral student of statistics and of computer science and engineering at the UW, is interviewed.

What will Rubin Observatory discover that no ones expecting? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice learn and answer cosmic queries about the Vera Rubin Observatory, the Legacy Survey of Space and Time and our next big tool to uncover more about the universe with Zeljko Ivezi, professor of astronomy at the UW.

If youve faced the frustrating challenge of trying to pull a friend or family member with opposing political views into your camp, maybe let a chatbot make your case. New research from the UW found that politically biased chatbots could nudge Democrats and Republicans toward opposing viewpoints. Jillian Fisher, doctoral student of statistics and of computer science and engineering at the UW, is quoted.

"It has happened before: an upset victory by a Democratic Socialist in an important primary election after an extraordinary grassroots campaign," writes James Gregory, professor of history at the UW.

Basic research is critical to innovation, but to have a real impact, that innovation has to make its way out of the lab. Thats the reasoning behind the Activate Fellowship, one of the nations most prestigious awards for science-based entrepreneurship. Now Bingzhao Li, a postdoctoral scholar in electrical and computer engineering at the UW, has been named one of its latest recipients. Hes also the UWs first.Mo Li, professor of physics and of electrical and computer engineering at the UW, is quoted.

Should robots be able to cannibalize each other so they can accelerate their evolution, bringing them closer to resembling self-sufficient lifeforms capable of living independently of their human masters? Philippe Martin Wyder, a postdoctoral fellow of applied mathematics at the UW, is quoted.

The two-month patrol stopped supposedly suspicious individuals from crossing into California from other states. But its execution was uneven, and the initiative proved controversial. James Gregory, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

Cannibal robots create entirely new dimension of autonomy for AI, researchers say. Philippe Martin Wyder, a postdoctoral fellow of applied mathematics at the UW, is quoted.

Throughout history, iterations of the waterfront have propelled Seattle and reflected the citys essential character. Thats why the latest, revamped version of the space is so important, aside from its $800 million price tag. Will the new waterfront reconnect residents with the Salish Sea? Cater to selfie-taking tourists? Build Seattles global brand? The project says something about the city today and where it could be headed next. James Gregory, professor of history at the UW, is quoted.

Just the third-ever confirmed interstellar object has been detected in our solar system. Here's what we know. (Spoiler: It's not aliens.) Sarah Greenstreet, affiliate assistant professor of astronomy, is quoted.

University of Washington researchers are focused on a celestial light show with the groundbreaking Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile. The observatory, featuring the largest camera ever built, now offers a new "eye on the sky" thanks in part to UW's astronomy department. James Davenport, research assistant professor of astronomy at the UW, is quoted.

Video shows a wayward penguin swimming and diving among beachgoers along Brazils most iconic shoreline. It might be following fish, a penguin expert says. P. Dee Boersma, professor of biology at the UW, is quoted.

Meet the four graduating students selected by the College of Arts & Sciences as 2025 Graduate Medalists for their accomplishments. 

Four days before President Donald Trump ordered U.S. airstrikes of three Iranian nuclear sites, State Rep. Darya Farivar issued a notice about growing fear within Washingtons Iranian community. Her June 18 statement described families watching in anguish as loved ones faced violence abroadwords that would prove tragically prophetic when Operation Midnight Hammer struck Irans Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan facilities on June 22. Aria Fani, assistant professor of Middle Eastern languages and culture, and Reat Kasaba, professor of international studies, are quoted.