New restrictions on funding, collaborations, and inclusion are disrupting crucial research and limiting who is allowed to pursue it. Experts who share their knowledge with journalists or communicate directly through mass media face risks but can make a difference. We'll cover best practices, practical advice, and possible outcomes of doing so, and how people in different fields of expertise can support one another's overlapping missions.

Mellon Sawyer Seminar Series | At Risk U: The Past, Present, and Future of Academic Freedom
An event series examining risk management as an organizing priority & feature of universities

Abstract:  Artificial Intelligence (AI) advances of recent years have taken the world by storm. AI has permeated not only advanced technologies such as autonomous vehicles and robotics but also daily commercial life. While the capabilities in this space are outstanding, the application of current AI approaches remains primarily in highly engineered environments. Furthermore, modern AI requires a tremendous amount of data, energy, and water resources, which places a significant burden on aging infrastructure. In contrast to in silico intelligence, biological systems exhibit much more energy-efficient, complex, and adaptable computing. Animals can learn in as little as a single experience, and biological brains require only 10s of Watts. How do biological control systems achieve the robustness, multifunctionality, adaptability, and energy efficiency found in nature, and how can these capabilities be brought to robotics? In this talk, I will share how we are using bioinspired and biohybrid robotics in an interactive research cycle with neuroscience and biomechanics to understand and even implement biological intelligence in engineered systems.

Bio:  Vickie Webster-Wood received her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Case Western Reserve University in 2012, 2013, and 2017. She is currently an Associate Professor and Dean’s Early Career Fellow in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, with courtesy appointments in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, the McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine, and the Robotics Institute. She is the director of the C.M.U. Biohybrid and Organic Robotics Group and has a long-term research goal to develop completely organic, biodegradable, autonomous robots. She received the NSF CAREER Award in 2021, leads the SSymBioTIC MURI on Integrated Biohybrid Actuators, and is a co-Principal Investigator of the NSF C3NS NeuroNex Network, along with holding numerous other grants and awards, including being named to the MIT Technology Review 35 Innovators under 35 in 2023 and as a member of the Grainger Foundation NAE US Frontiers of Engineering class of 2024.

Eunjoo Kang, in Xinzhu Yu's lab will defend the thesis
Wednesday, March, 25, 2026 at 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (CDT) via Zoom
All are invited to the seminar on
“Deciphering Astrocytic Calcium Signaling In Motor Learning and Memory"
Zoom
Meeting ID: 810 9585 2439
 Password: 032526

Join the Writers Workshop to kick off the break the "write" way! For folks planning to catch up on some writing over Spring Break, we'll be offering a mini-retreat during the week of March 16th on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, from 9:00am-12:00pm, in the Main Library's Orange Room or by Zoom. Please note that you only need to register once to attend any or all of these dates.

This is a productivity writing group, whose main purpose is to provide structure and community for work that can sometimes feel structureless and isolating. It is ideal for graduate students seeking to create a writing routine, make progress and meet deadlines on long-term writing projects, or jump-start a new writing project. All meetings will consist of a short goal-setting conversation, quiet writing time, and a concluding reflection and wrap-up. 

These groups do not offer feedback--if you are looking to learn more and improve your writing, check out our events or make an appointment to get individualized feedback. Find more information about our Writing Group FAQs, and learn more about our consultations and policies. The Writers Workshop will re-open for consultations on Monday, March 23.

This workshop will include tips for maintaining a writing routine, cultivating effective habits, and forming a successful writing group. Dissertation and thesis writers from any discipline - and at any stage in the writing process - are especially welcome.

This presentation will be held via Zoom and is open to all current U of I affiliates (students, faculty, and staff). You will need to be logged into your Illinois Zoom account to join. 

Please register with your Illinois email by March 15 to receive the Zoom details on the morning of the event. If you register on the day of, please email wow@illinois.edu immediately to request the Zoom details - we will do our best to get them to you prior to the event but cannot make any guarantees.

All registrants will receive access to the presentation materials via email the following business day. 

Create the "write" habit! Our writing group provides graduate students with dedicated time to make progress on writing in a supportive atmosphere. The writing group provides structured writing, break, and discussion time, with each meeting consisting of a short goal-setting conversation, quiet writing time, and a concluding reflection and wrap-up. You will be working on your own current writing (e.g., thesis, dissertation, manuscript). These groups do not offer feedback--if you're looking to learn more and improve your writing, check out our events or make an appointment to get individualized feedback. These groups are ideal for graduate students who are seeking to create or return to a writing routine, make progress and meet deadlines on long-term projects, or jump-start a new writing project. Find more information and our Writing Group FAQs here, and learn more about our consultations and policies.

Our writing groups are held every Tuesday from 9:00am-12:00pm, and we encourage you to attend regularly. We will not meet on campus holidays.

This event will be held in a hybrid format: Join us in-person in the Main Library Orange Room. Or, join us online. The Zoom link will be in your registration confirmation email and in the weekly reminder emails.

The Writers Workshop will email you a weekly reminder. You only need to register once for the recurring writing group. Please register using your University of Illinois email.

Build skills for communicating in unfamiliar situations, with the goal of developing connections, sharing ideas, and building partnerships. Participants will explore common types of problems and practice skills for resolving ability, motivation, and interpersonal problem situations. Understand complex conversations for communicating more effectively in both the speaker and listener roles.

Sharing Your Research Story: Increasing External Visibility for LAS Faculty

Thursday, March 26
12:00–1:00 PM CT
Lincoln Hall 2092 or Zoom (Hybrid)

LAS faculty produce impactful, meaningful research—but translating that work for audiences beyond campus can sometimes feel unclear or time‑consuming. This session highlights practical, faculty‑friendly pathways for sharing your research with public audiences and shows how to work effectively with LAS Marketing & Communications and related partners to amplify your impact.

In this forum, you will learn:

• How the LAS communications ecosystem supports outward‑facing research storytelling
• What types of research news are best suited for external promotion
• How to connect efficiently with communications partners to expand your reach

The session will conclude with clear next steps, realistic examples, and time for Q&A.

RSVP by 12PM on March 23 to reserve your seat or access the Zoom link. Guests attending in-person will have the option of requesting a boxed lunch. In-person space is limited. 

The ODSR Research Collaboration Community webinar is a venue for multi-disciplinary conversations to identify specific collaboration opportunities related to data science and AI. Open to all at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign as well as other U. of I. campuses. 

This month our guests will help us understand University of Illinois policies on data transfer and use agreements and software licensing agreements so that faculty and staff have a better understanding of how to work with collaborators when sharing data science-related data and code.

Guests: 

• Svetlana Sowers, Associate Director, Senior Technology Manager, Office of Technology Management (OTM)
• Justin Blount, Assistant Director, Negotiations, Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA)

Preparing for the academic job market? The Writers Workshop will review genre expectations for academic cover letters and provide examples from a range of disciplines. We will share strategies for drafting, strengthening, and tailoring your own cover letters.

This presentation will be held via Zoom and is open to all current U of I affiliates (students, faculty, and staff). You will need to be logged into your Illinois Zoom account to join. 

Please register with your Illinois email by March 25 to receive the Zoom details on the morning of the event. If you register on the day of, please email wow@illinois.edu immediately to request the Zoom details - we will do our best to get them to you prior to the event but cannot make any guarantees.

All registrants will receive access to the presentation materials via email the following business day. 

Create the "write" habit! Our writing group provides graduate students with dedicated time to make progress on writing in a supportive atmosphere. The writing group provides structured writing, break, and discussion time, with each meeting consisting of a short goal-setting conversation, quiet writing time, and a concluding reflection and wrap-up. You will be working on your own current writing (e.g., thesis, dissertation, manuscript). These groups do not offer feedback--if you're looking to learn more and improve your writing, check out our events or make an appointment to get individualized feedback. These groups are ideal for graduate students who are seeking to create or return to a writing routine, make progress and meet deadlines on long-term projects, or jump-start a new writing project. Find more information and our Writing Group FAQs here, and learn more about our consultations and policies.

Our writing groups are held every Friday from 9:00am-12:00pm, and we encourage you to attend regularly. We will not meet on campus holidays.

This event will be held in a hybrid format: Join us in-person in the Main Library Orange Room. Or, join us online. The Zoom link will be in your registration confirmation email and in the weekly reminder emails.

The Writers Workshop will email you a weekly reminder. You only need to register once for the recurring writing group. Please register using your University of Illinois email.

Join us at noon on Wednesdays this fall for yoga with a view! All sessions are free and will be held in Beckman's fifth-floor tower room. All are welcome to bring their own mat! 

Join us at noon on Wednesdays this fall for yoga with a view! All sessions are free and will be held in Beckman's fifth-floor tower room. All are welcome to bring their own mat! 

Do you weave, crochet, knit, felt, or embroider? Krannert Art Museum invites you to Knit & Sit! Bring your project and join us for a weaver’s circle in the galleries. All ages and experience levels are welcome! 

First-time knitter? A limited amount of yarn and needles will be available—and anyone wanting to learn can receive a simple knitting lesson. Everyone will get a chance to explore the art on view. 

Presented in conjunction with the Memorias de la Mujer Lotina: Arpilleras, Women, and Coal in Chile exhibition (on view through Sep 5).

Free and open to everyone!

*Parking nearby is free on weekends*

Krannert Art Museum acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council.