UW and the Community

Many in the theater world here in Seattle know of David Armstrong, UW affiliate instructor of drama, as 5th Avenue Theatre's artistic director and executive producer from 2000 to 2018. Now he's also an author. Armstrong is interviewed about his new book: "Broadway Nation: How Immigrant, Jewish, Queer, and Black Artists Invented the Broadway Musical."

According to a citation from the award committee, Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW, has had an outstanding career devoted to exemplary scholarship in the joint tradition of political science and public administration.

Featuring exhibitions at the University of Washington.

An exhibit by Rob Rhee, assistant professor and chair of interdisciplinary visual art, is included in this roundup.

Ten years ago, astronomers made an epic discovery with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory. Cosmology hasnt been the same since, and it might not stay that way much longer. James Bardeen, professor emeritus of physics at the UW, is mentioned.

A new book by Ping Wang, University of Washington professor of Asian languages and literature, is bringing fresh attention to one of the most influential poets in Chinese literary history, Xie Lingyun.

UW-trained conservationists helped launch a movement to save some of the world's most elusive animals. Here's how they did it.

A growing number of school districts are implementing new cell phone bans in the classroom, and a University of Washington study found that while teachers generally support the policies, students are less positive, though some concede the policies improve concentration. Luca Magis-Weinberg, assistant professor of psychology at the UW, is interviewed.

Dr. Kroll joined the UW Chemistry faculty in September 2024. With his first year as a Husky in the books, we took the opportunity to get to know him.

Derek Sheffield, ’90, ’99, a poet and English teacher, was appointed Washington State’s Poet Laureate in April by Governor Bob Ferguson. A passionate naturalist known for co-editing the best-selling “Cascadia Field Guide: Art, Ecology, Poetry” with Elizabeth Bradfield, ’94, and CMarie Fuhrman, Sheffield is “always packing” binoculars and hand lens and birds by ear—often in the woods near his home in Leavenworth. He has butterflied alongside Robert Michael Pyle, ’69, ’73, the lepidopterist, and once exchanged letters with Pulitzer-winning biologist E.O. Wilson.

Looking for galleries to visit this fall? Check out these visual arts shows by UW alumni.

Art meets technology at the SPAM New Media Festival, an exhibition of creative works that use technology in unexpected ways. The event will be held September 12-14.

Lucia Flores-Wiseman (B.A., Communication), a Mexican American singer-songwriter, brings an inspiring emotional depth to her craft.

Lady Gaga topping the charts with her pop tunes. Fashionistas stepping out in low-rise jeans and chunky belts. Coke bottles with names, again. These are just a few things social media users see as signs of a recession in the U.S. But experts dont share the same assessment as actual economic indicators hold steady despite clouds of uncertainty. Zack Almquist, an associate professor of sociology at the UW, is quoted.

Seattles population growth has brought its own frustrations for both new and longtime residents. Housing prices, traffic congestion and overall cost of living are among the growing pains. Sara Curran, director of the UW's Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology and professor of international studies, of sociology and of public policy and governance, is quoted.