Biology professor David Westneat from the University of Kentucky's College of Arts & Sciences has won a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), guaranteeing 10 weeks of research to 10 undergraduate students at UK's Ecological Research Facility (ERF) or 

By Erin Holaday Ziegler

The University of Kentucky continues on its international course with a visit from University of Haifa Rector (Provost) David Faraggi this week.  While here, Faraggi signed a memorandum of understanding, or a general cooperation agreement, with President Eli Capilouto Monday, Sept. 12.

“The University of Kentucky is excited about the opportunity to partner with the University of Haifa,” said Capilouto. “With the phenomenal advances in technology and industry, strategic collaborations between postsecondary institutions play an important role in a growing global economy.”

This past June, a UK delegation including public health professors Douglas Scutchfield and Jim Holsinger and Associate Provost for International Programs Susan

by Robin Roenker

What is the value of nature? Does it have intrinsic value of its own—or only as it relates to humans and our uses for it?

Does a conservationist perspective (which seeks to regulate human use) or a preservationist perspective (which aims to limit human use altogether) better foster an equitable stewardship of natural resources?

What isenvironmental sustainability—and how do we achieve it?

UK’s new philosophy class on Environmental Ethics, PHI 336, challenges students to consider complex questions like these—questions that, at their heart, delve into fundamental issues of mankind’s role as stewards of the environment, and the responsibilities that entails.

While efforts to launch an Environmental Ethics course within the Philosophy Department began years ago, the new course became reality in

By Kendall Smith

The UK College of Arts and Sciences Passport to the World program is taking a look at China, a country that continues to grow in global significance.

“It is one of the most important countries for America to develop better opportunities with economically, politically and socially,” said Keiko Tanaka, coordinator of the China Initiative.

Particularly over the the past 50 years, China has been one of the

The International Studies program in the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Kentucky developed three years ago in response to a recognition that the world and its problems are increasingly interrelated. Whether it's religious beliefs; social or political circumstances; environmental, economic or health outcomes; events in one part of the world today affect those

by Arne Bathke

When elections are thrust into the media spotlight we are inundated by numbers, graphs, and figures. Every day, someone presents new poll results and predictions, statistical analyses, or interpretations. 

Candidates are trying to find out which target group to focus on with their efforts to sway voters. Journalists want to be the first in forecasting the outcomes of important races. Political analysts and scientists strive to comprehend the underlying political and sociological movements that determine election results.

Neither group can succeed without a good understanding of statistics. In fact, knowing your stats well gives you the extra edge over your competitors.

Statistics and politics have long historical ties. The term “Statistics” derives from the Italian “statista” which means “Statesman”, and it is commonly

UK Biologist David Westneat has received a grant from the National Science Foundation entitled "Suburban Ecology and Invasive Species." The funding, which will be for the summers of 2012, 2013, and 2014 will allow 10 student research positions for 10 weeks. The program focuses on suburban ecology - the interactiosn between organisms and an environment that is heavily modfied by human activity, with special focus on invasive species. Eleven researchers acros five departments have designed a diverse array of projects for student participatns. The research projects will be conducted at Robinson Forest and Griffith Woods. Congratulations to Professor Westneat and the Biology Department!

by Guy Spriggs

It is difficult to fully grasp the destruction caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred in March of 2011.

Millions were left without electricity or water. Thousands were injured, and many more have been reported dead or missing. Estimates from the World Bank put damages from the event at $235 billion, making it nearly three times as destructive as Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

In America, however, things continued without much pause. It is possible, after all, to feel completely disconnected from such catastrophes as long as we are not directly affected.

But even though this disaster took place on the other side of the planet, both students and professors from the College of Arts & Sciences experienced the event from inside Japan.

Doug Slaymaker, a professor in the Japan Studies Program specializing in 20th century