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Link of the Week:

Haskell/KU Joint Committee launches to strengthen collaboration, support for faculty and staff

Ben Allen (Psychology) coauthored a new JAMA Network Open study identifying region-specific social and behavioral factors associated with diagnosed diabetes. Using 5,420 Southern California census tracts (~18.5M adults) and national comparisons from CDC PLACES 2024, the team found that physical inactivity, binge drinking, routine checkups, lack of insurance, and food insecurity were key correlates in Southern California, while nationally obesity, food stamp participation, older age (65+), and racial/ethnic minority status were prominent. Overall, this study shows evidence of regional differences in the factors associated with diabetes prevalence and highlight the need for further research into their potential for guiding targeted interventions. Read the study.

• Brian Laird (Chemistry), elected to the Fellowship in the American Physical Society, the fellowship recognizes members who have made exceptional contributions in the field of physics, Media link

Higuchi-KU Endowment Research Achievement Award
Late Distinguished Professor Takeru Higuchi and his wife, Aya, partnered with KU Endowment to create four awards that recognize individuals for their accomplishments in research, scholarship and creative activity. Faculty from any Kansas Regents institution are eligible, and your assistance in identifying outstanding candidates is critical. Winners receive $10,000 in support of research activities. Deadline is Dec. 1.

Steven F. Warren Research Achievement Award
This award honors an outstanding unclassified academic staff researcher on the KU-Lawrence campus. Individuals appointed as full-time, unclassified academic staff researchers in a KU-Lawrence academic department or research center for whom the KU Research Promotion Procedures apply are eligible. The award recipient will receive $10,000 in research funds. Deadline is Dec. 1. 

KU Research Achievement Awards
The Postdoctoral Achievement Award and the Staff Achievement Award are intended to recognize the numerous contributions of unclassified professional staff and postdoctoral researchers to the research mission of KU, honoring outstanding individuals who have had a tangible impact on the research labs and projects in which they work. The award recipients will receive $5,000 in research fund. Deadline is Dec. 1.

2026 University Scholarly Achievement Award
Each year, the University of Kansas recognizes up to four mid-career faculty members as recipients of a University Scholarly Achievement Award. This $10,000 award recognizes a significant scholarly or research contribution, creative work (an exhibition, performance, composition, article or book, or major collaborative project) or a series of closely related contributions. This award covers all fields of scholarship represented at the University of Kansas, including but not limited to arts, humanities, architecture and design, music, mathematics, natural sciences, engineering, medicine, clinical science, pharmacy, social sciences, social welfare, education, journalism, law, libraries, and business. The Chancellor’s Office is now accepting nominations for the 2026 awards. The deadline for the submission of nominations is December 15, 2025. 

Spencer Research Library Travel Grant
Researchers from across the United States and abroad are invited to apply for a 2026 Spencer Research Library travel grant, designed to support in-depth research using the library’s collections and facilitate direct access to curator and librarian expertise. The online application is open until Jan. 4, 2026.

Science Communication Workshop
Friday, Nov. 14, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Malott Room, Kansas Union
The Center for Digital Inclusion, the Institute for Policy & Social Research and the Life Span Institute at the University of Kansas are co-hosting a science communication workshop designed to strengthen how researchers share their work with the public. The workshop aims to help scholars bridge that gap by bringing together KU faculty, researchers and communication professionals to share strategies, build networks and develop collaborative approaches for communicating science and research more effectively.

Red Hot Research: Body, Land Memory
Friday, Nov. 14, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Watson Library 3 West
Hosted by The Commons, Red Hot Research brings together scholars from all disciplines, to reveal overlaps and connections across areas of interesting and methodological approaches. The format of these sessions is inspired by Pecha Kucha, which features short, slide-based talks that introduce audiences to a topic. Each installment features researchers, speaking for six minutes each. Audience members are encouraged to connect with the speakers (and each other) during breaks. This series offers researchers at KU a venue for cross-disciplinary partnering and exploration.

Presenters:
Carlton Shield Chief Gover, Anthropology/Biodiversity Institute/Indigenous Studies
Dave Rahn, Geography & Atmospheric Science
Kathryn Berringer, Social Welfare
Siobhan Kelly, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Sarah Cullinan Herring, Classics