May 4, 2026

From advancing housing justice and transportation safety to shaping national education policy and mentoring the next generation of scholars, Portland State University’s 2026 Research Award recipients reflect the power of research to make a tangible difference. This year’s honorees include faculty, staff, and partners whose work spans disciplines and connects directly to the communities PSU serves. Awards recipients are listed below and you can read about their work on the Research Awards webpage.

Celebrate these award-winning researchers at the 2026 Research Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 8 from 3:30 - 5 p.m. in the Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom. The ceremony will also include the presentation of College and School Research awards by the Deans.

All faculty and staff are invited to a presentation and Q&A about several projects underway across the university to improve the way we communicate with students. Presenters will show their findings about communications barriers and consequences, and the plans and timelines to provide students with timely, topical communications that will help them succeed at PSU.

Wednesday, May 6
12:45 - 1:25 p.m.
Hoffman Hall

This event is in person and is intended for PSU faculty and staff. A recording will be shared the next week in Currently.

PSU researchers, in collaboration with the Campus Public Safety Office (CPSO), are conducting the third annual survey to gather feedback from students, faculty and staff about their experiences with CPSO and safety on campus. Recommended by the Reimagine Campus Public Safety Committee, the survey aims to inform CPSO’s safety practices and policies. Results will be shared publicly next academic year, potentially influencing safety improvements on campus. Act now to participate before the survey closes on May 24.

Celebrate 50 years of the PSU Chamber Choir with what is expected to be the largest gathering of alumni voices ever assembled. Under the baton of Dr. Ethan Sperry, Make Our Garden Grow is a reflection on decades of excellence with music by Whitacre, Esenvalds, Barber, Hogan, and more. A golden bloom decades in the making — join in this radiant celebration!

Sunday, May 17
4 p.m.
First United Methodist Church, 1838 SW Jefferson St., Portland
Admission: $5-$20

Mark your calendars to attend the Spring Maseeh Exchange on Wednesday, May 20, to see how advances in AI are being applied to real-world challenges at Maseeh College. As these technologies move from research into everyday use, they are reshaping how engineers, scientists and organizations approach design, analysis and decision-making. Spring features the works of A Creative and Emerging Technology Institute (CETI), faculty Ignite Talks, and a networking reception. 

The School of Film and the Hollywood Theatre have teamed up to present the work of Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi. Professor Mark Berrettini’s course FILM 487: The Cinema of Jafar Panahi, is screening Panahi’s work at Portland’s historic Hollywood Theatre, and community members are invited to attend. Each week, Professor Berrettini gives a brief talk about this Iranian director, who regularly pushes the boundaries of narrative and political cinema while facing censorship, political repression and imprisonment. Students in the course examine Panahi’s work within the context of cinema history and the constricted landscape of film production in Iran. The Thursday afternoon screenings include the films: It Was Just an Accident (Oscar-nominated), Taxi, 3 Faces, and No Bears. Screenings take place through May 28.

Tickets are $9.

You can now review your course accessibility directly in Canvas using Panorama. This new tool integration can help make digital accessibility remediation work more manageable by giving you clear direction on where to focus and more confidence in your course’s overall accessibility.

The Office of Academic Innovation (OAI) has been working alongside departments and faculty across PSU to ensure equal access for our students to their learning materials, and this new tool builds on that momentum. There are several ways to get help and update your courses this spring:

The Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (NWCASC) is now accepting applications for its 2027 Faculty Fellowship Program, which supports research related to climate adaptation in Northwest natural and cultural resource management as well as training in the principles and practices of co-producing decision-relevant (i.e., “actionable”) science. This is a last-mile program that funds activities aimed at enhancing the usability of existing research for natural resource managers. 

The deadline to submit applications is July 15, 2026. Learn more, see the Request for Applications, and register for the info session on Tuesday, May 5 at 11 a.m.

Celebrate the new era of Viks football this Saturday, May 9 for the annual spring game held on campus at Peter S. Stott Practice Field. There will be a pre-game tailgate with complementary food and games starting at 11:30 a.m. The game begins at 1 p.m. Admission is free!

Faculty and Staff can purchase their discounted season tickets online or on site during the event. For additional information contact vikingstickets@pdx.edu. 

Let students know that summer is a great time to get ahead or catch up on credits — or to simply take a really cool class!

Send them to the Summer Term at PSU webpage to see featured classes and get set up for summer.

The Fall 2027 schedule "has dropped", as the students would say! Please encourage your students to browse the schedule and start crafting their ideal autumn schedule.

Starting today, priority registration windows opening every Monday and Wednesday.

Assistant Professor of Epidemiology in the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Eric Hall spoke with the Washington Post about the cost of delays in the infant vaccine schedule; Kathleen Conte, assistant professor in the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, joined OPB’s Think Out Loud to share barriers preventing people experiencing homelessness from permanent housing; Professor of English Susan Kirtley talked about PSU’s Comic Studies program with KATU; and Shannon Blajeski, assistant professor of social work, discussed the best ways to help people with schizophrenia with the Oregonian.

All week

A Different Kind of Here: Friendtorship Project

Monday, May 4

No events

Tuesday, May 5

The Dragon in Medieval Islamic Astrology and Magical Power, a Virtual Lecture

WTF is Going On? An Informal Conversation with Politics & Global Affairs

Wednesday, May 6

Gender-Affirming Care: Two Spirit & LGBTQ+ Health Seminar Series

What Glacial Sediments Tell Us About Earth’s Shifting Landscapes: Joining OSU-PSU-USGS Water, People, and Society Seminar

Women’s Climb Night

Thursday, May 7

Show & Tell Design Lecture Series Presents Emy Su

Expectations Vs Reality: Consequences of Ranked Choice Voting in Portland

Women in Leadership: A Conversation on Trailblazing Politics, Leadership, and Empowerment

You’re Not Alone: Using Mentorship to Pivot, Progress, and Land Your Next Job

Matthias Kemeny Design Lecture Series Presents Tereza Bettindardi

Friday, May 8

Music @ Midday: Recital Previews

Portland Piano International: Charlie Albright

Saturday, May 9

Viking Motor Sports: SAE Baja Race (also Sunday)

Find more events at: PSU Events, OAI Events, Viks Athletics

People
Theresa Robbins Dudeck, Berrin Erdogan, Susan Kirtley, Mary Marshall, David Percy, Strategic Energy Management team

Presented
Shelby Anderson, Laurel Diciuccio, Emma Dubois, Debra Harris, David Percy

Published/Exhibited
Shelby Anderson, Kate Barcalow, Clive Knights, John Nimmo, Jack Straton

Currently  |  Events  |  Athletics News & Schedules  |  Training & Development  |  Vacancies
HR Policies, Contracts and Forms  |  University Policy Library
University Place Hotel & Conference Center

CURRENTLY is a weekly newsletter for the employees of Portland State University, published by University Communications. News items, events and accolades should be sent to currently@pdx.edu. Deadline is noon, the Tuesday before publication. See the Currently website for submission guidelines and publication schedule.