Research

Are we alone? Fifty-five years ago, astronomer Frank Drake came up with an equation that weighed the odds for aliens.

Alien life on exoplanets just might not flourish and just might die young, according to one study. Another study, co-authored by UW astronomy professor Woody Sullivan, is referenced.

The United States has reinstated a broad system of debtors’ prisons, in effect making it a crime to be poor. Alexes Harris, associate professor of sociology at the UW, is quoted.

"A debtor’s prison of court fines and fees needs to be reformed," writes The Seattle Times Editorial Board. Alexes Harris, associate professor of sociology at the UW, is quoted.

Despite the time-honored tradition of coaching à la drill sergeant, the disciplinarian style is gradually shifting toward a more psychologically nuanced approach.

UW professor Alexes Harris' new book examines how fines and fees keep people imprisoned long after their sentence is through.

This year, the annual Airbnb conference, OpenAir, will focus on a different challenge for the company and the tech industry: diversity and inclusion.

"What do Flint, Mich., and Victoria, B.C., have in common? Huge water-quality problems that suddenly are getting some attention," write UW professors Nives Dolsak.

Challenging perceptions about the academic contributions of men of color and student athletes.

Ashley Bobman, who will graduate from the University of Washington this week, has helped to create the first-ever online exhibit of the new Sephardic Studies Digital Museum.

The world’s cities are collecting ever-increasing amounts of data, and it is time for mechanisms to prevent abuse writes Associate Professor Philip Howard.

From June 4 to 11, oyster lovers will be able to study, shuck and slurp up oysters to their hearts’ content at events across Puget Sound.

A new book by the UW's Alexes Harris (sociology) chronicles how scores of former inmates and the people they harmed are jointly cheated by a cyclical and cynical state-sponsored debt spiral.

Astronomers think they've found a "super Earth" that might be capable of sustaining life. UW scientists Eric Agol, Rory Barnes, Cecilia Bitz, Benjamin Charnay and Victoria Meadows were involved.

The Greek economy has shrunk by a staggering 25 percent since 2006, and the unemployment rate closed at 24.4 percent in January and is predicted to rise after the new package of austerity measures.