College of Arts and Sciences

Start the new year with lectures, performances, exhibitions and more.

Anthony Gill, a UW political science professor, argues in a new paper that gift-giving has long-term positive effects for society and the economy, regardless of what you buy.

A study measuring the sleep patterns of students at the University of Washington found that students fell asleep later in the evening and woke up later in the morning during winter, when daylight hours on the UW Seattle campus are limited and the skies are notoriously overcast. Researchers believe the students' natural circadian clocks were being "pushed back" or delayed in winter because they were not getting enough exposure during the day to natural light, and that getting more daytime light exposure can help reverse this.

LaShawnDa Pittman, American ethnic studies and sociology professor, is excited to think together as the newest Hanauer appointee. Pittman's research centers socially marginalized women and those living with poor health resources/outcomes. Interrogate notions of “Western Civilization" in class and/or discuss what matters to you at an upcoming salon talk.

Public Art is a tough genre, which might explain why most of it is so perfunctory, but a tour of Seattle's light rail stations unearths some striking artwork. School of Art + Art History + Design Assistant Professor Whitney and alum Mary Ann Peters are quoted. 

In a study published Dec. 8 in Nature Astronomy, an international research team, led by Orsola De Marco of Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, analyzed 10 highly detailed exposures taken by the JWST of the Southern Ring Nebula. Their calculations show the central star that ejected the expanding nebula gas was originally three times the mass of the sun, and that unseen companions shaped the nebula's intricate features.

In the summer of 2018, 3,300 acres of the Olympic National Forest were set ablaze by poachers aiming to cut down maple trees. UW professors Daniel Hoffman and Lynn Thomas created a documentary, titled “The Maple Cutter,” about the incident — read writer Curran Nielsen’s interview with the filmmakers.

Nina Chanel Abney explores inequity and identity through vibrant prints at the Henry Art Gallery.

University of Washington political science professor Anthony Gill explains the social and economic value of gift-giving — and how even unwanted gifts help promote trust and build relationships.

Eric Lei was named one of Forbes Magazine's 30 Under 30, 2023. While at UW, Eric triple majored in economics, mathematics, and computer science. He now is a portfolio manager at WorldQuant.

For the first time, the UW Board of Regents has a voting faculty member in its ranks. In October, Gov. Jay Inslee selected Professor Alexes Harris, ’97, to serve a three-year term on the University’s highest governing body.

After being scheduled to perform in 2020 as part of their tour to celebrate Beethoven’s 250th birthday, the Juilliard String Quartet was finally able to present their contemporary tribute to the classical composer at the Meany Center on Tuesday, Nov. 15.

Through public events and exhibitions, connect with the UW community every week! Highlights of current exhibitions:  Until April 16 | Body Language: Reawakening Cultural Tattooing of the Northwest, Burke Museum (Free admission for UW students, faculty and staff) Until January 8 | everything was beautiful, and nothing hurt., Henry Art Gallery (Free admission for UW students,...

If you have the pleasure of running into Miha Sarani at his exhibit, “Amends,” you’ll see right off the bat that his enthusiasm and empathy are palpable both in person and in his art. Sarani, a Slovenian immigrant born and raised in Ljubljana, weaves a nonlinear web of personal reconciliation and exploration with his featured work.

Ricardo Ruiz is a poet, activist, father, husband, veteran, and UW alum. His new poetry book, “We Had Our Reasons,” sheds light on the stories of immigrants and their reasoning behind the decision to migrate to the United States. Through these poems, Ruiz hopes people outside the community are able to understand why someone would sacrifice so much and give up everything that they have just to migrate to a new country.