Category Society & Culture
Summer program helps historically underrepresented students make their way to UW
The Summer Collegiate Experience offers the incoming students a six-week preview into college life — complete with bunking in dorms, taking classes and forming important first friendships.
UW Hmong-American nurse brings her community to the doctor’s office
Maichou Lor developed new survey tools that she hopes can help close gaps in access to care among her own community and other underserved populations.
American voices from the past live again, as DARE recordings available online
More than 1,800 recordings of people interviewed for the Dictionary of American Regional English are now freely available online, hosted by the University of Wisconsin’s Digital Collections Center.
Undocumented immigration doesn’t worsen drug, alcohol problems in U.S., study indicates
An increase in the proportion of the population that is undocumented is associated with fewer drug arrests, drunken driving arrests and drug overdoses.
Fox Racing’s founder got his start motorbiking at UW
UW grads Geoff and Josie Fox combined backgrounds in physics and art history, an appreciation for adventure, and a willingness to change course to gain incredible traction in the action sports industry.
To pick a great gift, it’s better to give AND receive
A new study shows that gift recipients are happier with a present when the giver got themselves the same thing — a phenomenon researchers call "companionizing."
The School of Music officially enters the digital age
This fall, the Mead Witter School of Music will add a new studio to Humanities: the Electro-Acoustic Research Space (EARS). Located in a former classroom, EARS will be stuffed with the latest electronic music equipment, and will be available to faculty, students, and collaborators within the School of Music and in other departments.
Researchers crack the smile, describing 3 types by muscle movement
The smile may be the most common and flexible expression, used to reveal some emotions, cover others and manage social interactions. But how do we tell one kind of smile from another?
A happy homecoming for Russ Shafer-Landau
After a two-year stint at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Parr Center for Ethics, the metaethics expert is glad to be back at the UW–Madison philosophy department.
Cronon honored by British Academy
William J. Cronon, the Frederick Jackson Turner and Vilas Research Professor of History, Geography, and Environmental Studies at UW–Madison, has been elected to the newest cohort of Fellows of the British Academy.
Accomplished museum leader named new director of Chazen Museum of Art
Amy Gilman will lead the Chazen Museum of Art as its new director starting Sept. 11. Gilman has worked at the Toledo Museum of Art since 2005, most recently as deputy director.
Campus to host Cap Times Idea Fest Sept. 16-17
The festival’s unifying theme is “Reach a Better State,” and the sessions will center on core themes of the economy, equity, education, politics, journalism and culture.
School of Nursing receives grant to expand Native American enrollment
Two faculty members at the UW–Madison School of Nursing have received a $1.3 million federal grant to develop a comprehensive system of support services that will help admit, retain and graduate 30 Native American nursing students over the next four years.
Lakeshore researchers learn to fight weeds by studying them
Six student volunteers are helping pare back invasive weeds in the Lakeshore Nature Preserve while also advancing research on how to best control invasive species in disturbed environments.
Incoming freshmen say SOAR prepares them for life as a Badger
Whether by meeting new people, learning about opportunities, making a schedule or getting advice from peer advisors, this year’s incoming freshmen said their SOAR experience made them feel comfortable becoming a Badger.
Through robust collaboration, UW students help new museum launch inaugural exhibit
Over two years, UW–Madison students have researched dozens of objects in the Mount Horeb Area Historical Society’s expansive collection.
UW-Madison spinoff helps libraries help local musicians
Rabble LLC, a Madison startup with UW–Madison roots, offers software to libraries that presents the sound of local musicians in an easy-to-access format.
UW-Madison researchers tackle bias in algorithms
If you’ve ever applied for a loan or checked your credit score, algorithms have played a role in your life. You might assume that computers remove human bias from decision-making, but research has shown that is not true.
How much would you pay for a fishing trip?
Findings show that a Wisconsin angler would be willing to pay an average of $140 for a successful Lake Michigan trip that targeted Chinook salmon.
Student group promotes usefulness of philosophy in the community
“We believe that no matter what you’re doing, philosophy can help you do it better,” says the group’s executive director and co-founder.