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The latest news and updates from Arts & Sciences

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Faculty, Social Sciences

O’Brien calls for greater representation of women in politics

During the Fall 2024 Dean’s Distinguished Lecture, Diana Z. O’Brien, the Bela Kornitzer Distinguished Professor in the Department of Political Science discussed how developed nations including the United States can overcome the barriers that keep women from public service.

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Faculty, Social Sciences, Research

Why do politicians make promises they can’t keep?

A new study from WashU’s Department of Political Science points to the potential value of politicians’ unrealistic claims and agendas.

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WashU-led team launches space mission with quantum sensor technology

A team from WashU successfully launched the DR-TES mission from NASA’s balloon launch facility in Fort Sumner, New Mexico on Tuesday, to test quantum X-ray and gamma-ray detectors in a space-like environment.

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Natural Sciences & Math, Campus & Community

A year in the life of a Pathfinder Fellow: Journey to Madagascar

Elizabeth Swords’ second year as a Pathfinder Fellow involved lessons on environmental modernism and a 22-day trip to Madagascar, where she conducted a research project in partnership with the Missouri Botanical Garden.

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Humanities, Campus & Community

Fellowship allows undergraduates to research book bans

Banned Book Undergraduate Research Fellow David Win reflects on his study of censorship and the life-changing power of reading.

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Faculty, Campus & Community

Recognizing outstanding faculty and staff

At a ceremony and reception held Sept. 11 in Holmes Lounge, members of the Arts & Sciences community gathered to recognize recipients of the annual faculty and staff awards. Each recipient made exceptional contributions to the university through service, leadership, or teaching. Congratulations to all the awardees! 

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Arts & Sciences in the News:

How I chose my major

Acree named vice dean of interdisciplinary initiatives and innovation

Using drone imagery to help the slow loris

Van Engen installed as the Stanley Elkin Professor in the Humanities

Antinolfi, Flowe to serve as dean’s fellows for resource planning, DEI

Sanz installed as the James W. and Jean L. Davis Professor in Arts and Sciences

Harrod named Fulbright Scholar

Junior wins Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship

With its core skills finalized, Literacies for Life and Career prepares to scale up

Meet our new faculty: Humanities

Cassen wins NEH grant for translation project

Arts & Sciences welcomes new students

Meet our new faculty: Social sciences

Q&A: Philosopher David Chalmers on ChatGPT, consciousness, and his days at WashU

Turning bacteria into bioplastic factories

A one-way ticket to fascinating conversations

Featured Podcast:

The PAD Podcast Episode 4: Tijuana Ricks⁠

On this episode of the ⁠PAD podcast⁠, Rob chats with actor/director/writer/producer ⁠Tijuana Ricks⁠ about her fantastic and varied career post-graduation.

Robert Mark Morgan · 04: Tijuana Ricks

Paul Laurence Dunbar, "We Wear The Mask"

Rafia Zafar joins the Poetry for All podcast to discuss "We Wear the Mask" by the great poet and writer Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906). Zafar leads us in a discussion of Dunbar's fame and influence while opening up broader themes of African American history and literature

Influencing democracy

The fifth episode of the American Democracy Lab podcast features author, lecturer, and journalist Anne Nelson discussing the eroding trust in our democracy.

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The Ampersand Magazine

WashU's Ampersand Magazine image

Spring 2024 issue

Ampersand magazine shares stories of incredible people, research, and ideas in Arts & Sciences. Our latest issue features stories on WashU’s quantum quest, a popular course on hip-hop and rap, the secrets of the human brain, and more.

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news and events from Arts & Sciences / WashU

Underwater caves yield new clues about Sicily’s first residents

Archaeological surveys led by scientists at Washington...

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Potential of mindfulness to enhance cognitive health in Latinx older adults being studied

Mindfulness-based approaches are mental health practices...

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James Baldwin Review marks 10th anniversary

James Baldwin inside the Blue Mosque, Istanbul, 1965. (...

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River flowing over rocks and Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park

A river runs through it

Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis are using state-of-the-art geospatial technologies to study bedrock river erosion at Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park, located about two hours southwest of the Danforth Campus.
Aerial shot of Tyson Research Center in the fall

Our world by degrees: In search of refuge

Researchers look at whether Ozark oases at Tyson Research Center — climate change refugia — could help species persist in spite of rising temperatures.

Emma Lembke goes to Washington

Emma Lembke discusses her decision to go to WashU, the benefits of a liberal arts education, and how she juggles activism and coursework.

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An Arts & Sciences Guide to Hip-Hop

Faculty members Jonathan Fenderson and Zachary Manditch-Prottas are uniting students from diverse disciplines in a rigorous study of hip-hop and rap, the predominant music of their generation.

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Inside WashU’s Quantum Quest

Arts & Sciences scholars are teaming up with researchers across WashU to develop new tools to probe the fundamental forces that shape our world.

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Meet WashU’s new ballet master, Antonio Douthit-Boyd

Douthit-Boyd has stepped into the role of ballet master to help build a new future for classical ballet with WashU’s dance students.

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