October 19, 2023

Fresh Perspective

Gif of raisins moving about a clear container of seltzer water

Why Do Raisins Dance?

If you drop a handful of raisins in seltzer water, the bubbles help them boogie. Mathematics professor Saverio Spagnolie explains the science behind the dancing raisins phenomenon in this fun-filled study of levitation and the dynamics of bodies in supersaturated fluids. Read More

From the Field

Latino man posing in front of Estoy Votando mural.

The Movilización of Latino Voters

Doctoral student Kennia Coronado is researching one of the fastest-growing voting blocks in the country: Latino voters. She’s finding that even when members of the community are ineligible to vote, they are extremely active in the political process — and neither Democrats nor Republicans have an unshakeable claim on their support.

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Ask a Prof

Netflix Unknown Cave of Bones documentary poster

Digging the Documentary

You might recognize John Hawks as a star in Unknown: Cave of Bones. The popular Netflix documentary followed him into a network of caves in South Africa where he and a team discovered the remains of a new humanoid species. We asked the professor of anthropology about the filming process and his discoveries. Read More

Check it Out

Person looking through telescope with star scape overlay graphic

Where It All Began

The Wisconsin Center for Origins Research (WiCOR) is a new multidisciplinary group that includes researchers from a whopping seven departments. The team is tackling some of humanity’s biggest existential questions including whether or not we’re alone in the universe and how life began on Earth.

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This story appeared in Letters & Science magazine.

Listen In

Reclaiming the Narrative

This episode of the L&S Elevate podcast is about activating the Wisconsin Idea. Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion DeVon Wilson led the discussion, which was recorded live during [RE] Connect weekend last month. The conversation ranged from an honest look at the campus’ history with underrepresented communities to the important work being done today to make the University a place where everybody can flourish. Listen Here

Madison Moment

L&S students wearing red shirts at Convocation

Image by: L&S Photography Intern Isabelle Delfosse

The Fall 2023 semester is off to a great start! From student welcome events to celebrating the University’s 175th birthday, it’s an exciting time to be a Badger. Our student photography intern, Isabelle Delfosse, has been out taking photos of the many happenings here on campus. See More Photos Here

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