November 16, 2023

From the Field

Tomorrow's Yellowstone

Yellowstone and Grand Teton are two of the most beloved national parks worldwide, but their landscapes are changing. Human-driven changes to climate make for drier conditions and more regular wildfires. Monica Turner, a professor and Vilas researcher in the Department of Integrative Biology, has been studying these changes for decades. This multimedia project takes a deep dive into Turner’s research.

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Native November

Respecting Our Elder

Karen Washinawatok, also known as Omāēqnomenēw Metāēmoh, is this year’s Elder-in-Residence. She spent a week fostering connections and building community with students, faculty and staff. For Washinawatok, the program’s mission is based on the idea that: “Whatever the question, love is the answer. When you approach life with love and kindness, I think that's where doors open for you.” Watch Now

Making an Impact

Building a People-First Economy

Does the American economy work for its people? Political science professor Kathy Cramer would argue it doesn’t. She is one of the leaders of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences Commission on Reimagining Our Economy, which released a report with 15 recommendations for “how to make an economy that works for the people who make it work.” Read More

Fresh Perspective

In-game screen shot of AOS Building in Roblox

Robloxin’

It feels familiar to anyone who’s visited the Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences Building on West Dayton Street, but there are some tipoffs that it’s not the real world. Welcome to the Roblox universe of AOS, created in the uber-popular gaming platform that’s been around since the early 2000s.

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Cool Class

Making Words Count

You would think Professor of Mathematics Jordan Ellenberg would design his First-Year Interest Group (FIG) around writing complex equations or crafting complex geometric proofs, but instead he focused on writing and narrative technique. He debuted his Writing and Data FIG this semester to teach students how to write compelling stories that are based on quantitative data. Read More

Life’s Work

Megaboss

Meet Katie Sturino (’03), an author, influencer, style icon and founder of the beauty line Megababe. Her brand and product line celebrate body positivity in all its forms. Sturino’s inclusive business model paired with her transparent and personable social media presence has been a recipe for entrepreneurial success. Watch Now

Check It Out

Fall 2023 Letters & Science Magazine web cover

Our LS Magazine Is Online Now

The fall 2023 issue of the Letters & Science magazine will be hitting mailboxes this month, and the digital experience is online now. Read about a professor who is radically rethinking the way mental health disorders are diagnosed, hear how researchers are grappling with thorny ethical issues in AI and computing and celebrate the University’s 175th anniversary. Discover More

Madison Moment

Ho-Chunk banners are pictured hanging between the building columns of Bascom Hall

Drone photo by: Jason Weiss

The artwork now prominently hanging at Bascom Hall shows off Ho-Chunk beadwork. PhD student and Ho-Chunk Nation member Molli Pauliot and faculty members Marianne Fairbanks and Stephen Hilyard created the banners, which depict elements of Ho-Chunk culture still seen on and around campus today. The artists used innovative handcraft and cutting-edge computer modeling technology to render 160,000 individual beads. See More Photos

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