Dear A&S Colleagues, 

For many Arts & Sciences faculty and students, the culmination of their research and creative activity appears between the covers of a published book. Now Eckstrom Library is shining a light on those books in a website entitled:

University Ink: A Showcase of UofL Authorship

Meet your librarians and learn how they are boosting awareness of your books:

• Rob Detmering, Professor & Head, Research Assistance & Instruction, recently met with A&S leadership to share library resources for publicizing faculty publications.
• Melissa Rothman created the University Ink website showcasing books by UofL faculty, staff, students, and alumni. Most 2023 books by A&S faculty are already included on the site.
• The library’s communications and marketing specialist, Cecilia Durbin, created a new form where faculty can submit information about their books, which the library can then use to promote through our various channels.

I hope you will make use of this resource not only to publicize your own works but also to learn about all the wonderful work being performed by your colleagues and students across the college. 

Sincerely,

Julie Wrinn, Chief of Staff

Below: "Cardinal Ink" by Melissa Rothman

Research Agenda

Fabian Crespo, Anthropology, Awarded NSF Grant

Fabian Crespo, Associate Professor of Anthropology, was awarded a National Science Foundation grant (2316573) and received $124,000 on the project entitled, “Bioarchaeology, Osteoimmunology and Ecoimmunology: Linking Inflammation, Life History Tradeoffs and Biocultural Change in Northern Perú, 900‐1750 CE.” This project was in collaboration with Haagen Klaus (George Mason University), with total funds of $264,000. The project involves field and lab work in Perú with students from both institutions and local colleagues and students.

Charles Elder, Biology Ph.D. candidate to present at Society for Cryobiology Webinar

Doctoral Biology student Charles A. Elder will be presenting his research for an international audience in a presentation entitled, “Hemoglobin Oxidation as a Novel Method to Investigate Lyoprotectants” as part of the Society for Cryobiology webinar on Tuesday March 12, 2024. Elder’s primary research interests are in anhydrobiosis, biomolecular condensates, and biopreservation. He aims to learn mechanisms from organisms that can survive extreme stress and transfer them to stress-sensitive systems.

Kudos

Caitlin Burns Allen Receives Honorable Mention, Outstanding Book Award

Caitlin Burns Allen, a doctoral student in the Department of English, received an Honorable Mention for the Outstanding Book Award from the 2024 Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC), a constituent organization within the National Council of Teachers of English. Unsettling Archival Research: Engaging Critical, Communal, and Digital Archives, (Southern Illinois University Press; First Edition, 2023) was coedited by Burns Allen and three other co-editors. Her work has previously appeared in Ethics and Representation in Feminist Rhetorical Inquiry and Peitho.
 
This award honors books within the field of composition and rhetoric, evaluated for scholarship and research in the areas of pedagogy, practice, history, and theory. Burns Allen will be recognized at an awards presentation on April 5, during the 2024 CCCC Annual Convention in Spokane, WA. See book cover below.

11 A&S Researchers' Work Among Most Cited

Congratulations to these eleven A&S researchers whose work was the most cited in either calendar year 2022 or over the course of their career:

1. Richard Baldwin, Chemistry
2. Konrad Bresin, Psychological and Brain Sciences
3. Michael Cunningham, Communication
4. Lee Dugatkin, Biology
5. Paul Ewald, Biology
6. Gerald Hammond, Chemistry
7. George Higgins, Criminal Justice
8. Cheri Levinson, Psychological and Brain Sciences
9. Frederick Luzzio, Chemistry
10. Carolyn Mervis, Psychological and Brain Sciences
11. Richard Wittebort, Chemistry

“The citation of a scholar’s work is essentially a stamp of approval that the work is important and worthwhile," said Jon Klein, UofL’s interim executive vice president for research and innovation. "The fact that so many of our researchers are listed among the most cited shows that knowledge is truly groundbreaking and has impact. It shows UofL research is being used to help to improve lives and expand our understanding of the world and our place in it.”

Citations, when one researcher references and builds on another’s work, are an important measure of success for academics. Typically, citations mean the researcher made a meaningful and original contribution to the world’s knowledge — and that their peers agree. 

Congratulations to Yara Mekawi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Psychology, on receiving the Michele Alexander Early Career Award for Scholarship and Service from the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. This award was established in 2005 to recognize early career excellence in scholarship as well as in service. Mekawi is the director of the Challenging Ongoing Legacies of Racism (COLOR) lab, and her research focuses on examining racism at the intersection of affect and cognition. 

Above, left to right: Valeryia Kukharskaya Burshtein, Robel Schwarz, and Hannah Limbong

Honors Students Place High in National Contest on Food Insecurity Justice

Three students participated in the Justice Challenge Food Insecurity Hackathon on February 16-17, 2024.  This 31-hour event, hosted by the Student Engagement Committee of the Council on Honors Education, challenged students from across the U.S. to collaborate in multi-disciplinary teams to develop an innovative approach to address community food justice. 

UofL was represented on each of the top three teams! Valeryia Kukharskaya Burshtein’s team, “International Academic Weapon,” placed third in the competition overall and won the Availability Pillar Award. She is a recent University Honors Program, Jones Scholar, and Biology graduate.

Hannah Limbong’s team, “Spud Buds,” placed second in the event and won the Stability Pillar Award. She is a University Honors Program student, Brown Fellow, and Public Health major.

Robel Schwarz’s team, “Spider Society,” took first place and won the Utilization Pillar Award. He is a university Honors Program student, McConnell Scholar, and Political Science and Computer Science double major.

Congratulations to Valeryia, Hannah, and Robel for their hackathon successes and for representing UofL well!

Two UofL Departments Recognized for Outstanding Online Degrees

UofL has once again been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for its outstanding online programs in 2024, including #124 for Bachelor’s Degree. The College of Arts & Sciences ranks among the top in the following categories:

• Online Undergraduate Psychology #11
• Online Criminal Justice #21
• Online for Veterans Criminal Justice #9 

Kudos to the Departments of Criminal Justice and Psychological and Brain Sciences for this recognition, which reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality, market-driven online education. For more information, visit the webpage.

Expert Opinion on the War in Gaza

Ranen Omer-Sherman, Ph.D., Professor Professor of Comparative Humanities and the Jewish Heritage Fund for Excellence Endowed Chair in Judaic Studies, recently shared his expertise in interviews with local radio and television media about developments in the Gaza War: 

• Interviewed by Morgan Watkins of Louisville Public Media (WFPL) on the Gaza War. January 18, 2024. Link to broadcast on February 7, 2024. 
• Interviewed by Ian Hardwitt, a reporter with WHAS11 News. Link to broadcast on December 11; and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na4tLW7e77s.

Campus Technology

Why do I need UL2FCTR / Duo?

Passwords to a user’s account are becoming easy to compromise. Passwords can often be stolen, guessed or hacked — you might not even know someone is accessing your information. Two-factor authentication keeps your account secure even if your password is compromised. With UL2FCTR / Duo, you'll be alerted right away (on your phone) if someone is trying to log in as you.

Beginning in February, all students, faculty, and staff must enroll in UL2FCR/Duo. During the weekend of Spring Break, March 8-10, UofL is adding UL2FCR/Duo to the Student System (Campus Solutions) on ULink, as required per GLBA/federal law. After March 10, all students will need to enroll and always use Duo to access ULink’s Student System to register for classes, access financial aid, or other student info. 

Visit the UL2FCTR webpage for more information and a schedule of pop-up enrollment tables over the next several weeks. 

Calls for Applications & Nominations

Summer Research Opportunities Program for Undergraduates

The Summer Research Opportunity Program provides UofL undergraduates with an intensive 10-week research experience with a faculty mentor in any discipline. This year’s program is scheduled May 20-July 30. Students will receive a stipend of $3,500. Faculty mentors will receive $500 to support the student's scholarly activities. The deadline to submit applications is March 1. Apply here. For more information, visit the webpage or email Paul DeMarco.

2024 Alumni Awards

Know an outstanding graduate who deserves to be recognized for their career accomplishments, philanthropic endeavors and contributions to their community? Nominate them for the 2024 University of Louisville Alumni Awards, the highest honor bestowed by Louisville Alumni. For more than 30 years, the Alumni Awards have honored and celebrated the historic accomplishments of UofL graduates.

Nomination categories include Alumni Fellow awards designated for each school and college, Emerging Leader, Diversity Leadership, Miltary Alumni and the Wilson Wyatt Alumnus(a) of the Year. Criteria for each award, as well as nomination forms, are available  at uoflalumni.org/nominate. Nominations close Friday, March 1, at 11:59 p.m. For more information and to submit a nomination, visit the webpage. For questions, email Sarah Neff.

Nominations for the Woodcock Medal 

Nominations for the Woodcock Medal are now being accepted through March 6 by emailing joy.hart@louisville.edu. The Woodcock Medal is the most prestigious recognition of accomplishment by an A&S undergraduate and is awarded each year to “an outstanding senior whose personal characteristics and superior scholarship give promise of constructive leadership in society.” The A&S Honors Thesis Committee selects the nominee for the Woodcock Medal on the basis of a student’s record and faculty recommendation. Students completing summa projects are often strong candidates, but faculty members are also encouraged to nominate exceptional students who did not choose to engage in a summa project. Students eligible for nomination include those who graduated in December 2023 and those who will graduate in May 2024. The Committee will meet in March to consider candidates.

2024 Trustees Award: Call for Nominations

Nominations for the 2024 Trustees Award will be accepted until April 1, at 5 p.m. The UofL Board of Trustees established the Trustees Award to honor faculty who have had, currently or in the past, an extraordinary impact on students. The recipient will receive a commemorative plaque and a $5,000 award. The Trustees Award will be presented to the recipient at the Annual Faculty & Staff Excellence Awards Reception on April 18, 6-8 p.m., in the Student Activities Center ballroom. See the Trustees Award webpage for more information and to submit a nomination. For questions, email Jake Beamer or call 852-5795.

ABI Social Justice Awards Now Open

The Anne Braden Institute for Social Justice Research (ABI) is accepting submissions for the 17th-Annual Social Justice Research Paper and Multimedia Awards. All UofL undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply.

• Multimedia Submissions due by Sunday, March 31, by 11:59pm
• Paper Submissions due by Monday, April 22, by 11:59pm

View full guidelines and the application here. For questions, email uoflabi@louisville.edu. See flyer below.

Human Resources

2023 Performance Evaluations 

PE's will follow the same process as last year due to the performance evaluation configuration of Workday still undergoing testing to ensure that system quality and standards are met. Resources, including training, will be available on the Performance Evaluations webpage. The deadline for uploading performance evaluations to OnBase is March 15. For questions, email Employee Relations.

The Employee Success Center is hosting Learning Cafes on Conducting Effective Performance Evaluations on February 23 and March 6. To register, please visit https://louisville.edu/employeesuccess/learning-opportunities/learning-cafes. 

A&S Events

Black Teachers in Early 20th Century Louisville

David Anderson, Associate Professor of English, will examine the social contributions and literary legacies of three prominent Black educators in Louisville at the beginning of the twentieth century: Joseph Seamon Cotter, Sr., Nannie Helen Burroughs, and George Marion McClellan. All three founded or sustained institutions that educated youth in the city, but they should also be remembered for the importance of their writing, which is imbued with their love of education and social uplift. Session #149 in the "Lifelong Learning" series on Tues., Feb. 21, 6:30 pm, at Louisville Free Public Library. See flyer below.

Sustainability Roundtables

The next Sustainability Roundtable will take place on Tuesday, February 27, 4:00pm to 4:50pm, and continue at the same time on alternate Tuesdays (3/19, 4/2, 4/16). The format is a 30-40 minute presentation from a variety of speakers throughout the year, followed by 15-20 minutes of open discussion.

Anyone with an interest in sustainability can give talks at the speaker series and participate in the audience, including faculty, staff, students, practitioners, teachers, government officials, and members of the public. If you would like to give a presentation, or would like to hear a particular speaker, please contact Tamara Sluss. Join Microsoft Teams Meeting or dial-in at 502-792-9582 (Conference ID: 266 387 272 198# Passcode: kxhTvM)

International Mother Language Day

The University Writing Center is hosting its annual event celebrating the United Nations’ International Mother Language Day on Wednesday, February 21 from 12:30-2pm in the Ekstrom Library Learning Commons. Stop by this open house event anytime to enjoy interactive activities hosted by multilingual presenters from our community and sample some international foods. Join us in celebrating linguistic and cultural diversity on campus, in Louisville, and around the world.

Health Care Ethics Speaker: Khaleel Rajwani on the Ethics of Psychedelics

We are thrilled to announce the second talk in the Spring 2024 Virtual Health Care Ethics Speaker Series on the topic of The Ethics of Psychedelics. Khaleel Rajwani (McGill University) will be speaking on “Psychedelic Psychotherapy & the Cultural Concept of the Self.” It will take place on Wednesday, February 21 (12-1, EST). Information about the series and links/QR codes to register for each talk can be found on the attached poster. You can click here to register for Wednesday’s talk. Please spread the word to your colleagues, students, friends, and social networks. Very much looking forward to seeing you there! MA in Health Care Ethics/Applied Philosophy 

Grammy Winner A. B. Spellman on Jazz & Poetry Headlines LCLC

The College will soon be hosting the 51^st annual Louisville conference on Literature and Culture with a full slate of activities, February 19-20 virtual, and February 22-24 in-person. The conference is free to UofL students, staff, and faculty. Register here.

Highlights include a keynote (see flyer above) featuring UofL Professor of Jazz Studies Jerry Tolson in a conversation on jazz and poetry with A. B. Spellman, a leading poet of the Black Arts Movement, a pioneering critic of Bebop-era jazz, and--as of February 4, 2024--a Grammy Award winner! “Passion for Bach and Coltrane” won for Best Classical Compilation, on which Spellman orates his poetry that will appear in his next book, Between the Night and Its Music: New and Selected Poems (Fall 2024, Wesleyan University Press). 

Other keynotes include the multi-talented writer Maxine Chernoff and the cultural critic Anna Kornbluh. With over 80 events in both English and Spanish as well as sessions on various aspects of world literature and culture, LCLC51 promises to be another milestone for a unique conference that happens only here at the University of Louisville.

Bios of keynote speakers are shown below:

Don't miss this last-minute addition to the LCLC line-up, in collaboration with the Hite Institute:

Hispanic Heritage Lecture by Emmanuelle Sinardet

All are invited to the Hispanic Heritage Lecture by Dr. Emmanuelle Sinardet, University of Paris Nanterre, “Representations of Indigenous People in Ecuador: ‘We are all equal . . . but some are more equal than others.'" The concept of "racism of alteration," coined by Claude-Olivier Doron, distinguishes itself from "racism of otherness." While the latter implies an almost insurmountable barrier, the former envisions a potential improvement for groups described as degenerate or degraded. This talk explores how the "racism of alteration," as articulated by Doron, characterized the discourses and practices of liberal governments in Ecuador during the period 1895-1925.

Organized by the Latin American and Latino Studies program with the support of the Visiting Scholars Program of Liberal Studies and Hispanic, Latinx, and Indigenous Initiatives. Wednesday, February 21, 1:00 - 2:00 pm, BAB 218. Public Welcome. Light refreshments served. For more information, contact Dr. Manuel F. Medina at manuel.medina@louisville.edu. See flyer below.

Gem of the Ocean: Opening Night & Director's Circle with Shona Tucker

The Department of Theatre Arts presents Gem of the Ocean by August Wilson, February 23 - March 3. Opening night is Friday, February 23, curtain at 7:30 pm, preceded by a Director's Circle reception at 6:30 pm with director and Department Chair Shona Tucker sharing conversation and insights about the production. Wine and snacks provided. Belknap Playhouse, 1911 South 3rd Street, Louisville.

Set in 1904, August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean begins on the eve of Aunt Ester's 285th birthday. When Citizen Barlow comes to her Pittsburgh's Hill District home seeking asylum, she sets him off on a spiritual journey to find a city in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Gem of the Ocean is the ninth work in Wilson's ten-play cycle, which has recorded the American Black experience and helped to define generations. The Broadway run starred Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad as Aunt Ester and received five Tony Award nominations. Ben Brantley of the New York Times wrote, "A swelling battle hymn of transporting beauty. Theatergoers who have followed August Wilson's career will find in Gem a touchstone for everything else he has written." See flyer below.

Lynette Ong Speaks about Repression in China

Lynette Ong, Professor of Political Science, University of Toronto, visits the Center Asian Democracy on Feb. 26. See flyer below and register at this link. 

14th Annual Watson Conference to Launch Collaborations & Rebuild Community in Rhetoric and Composition

The 2024 Watson Conference in Rhetoric and Composition will be on the theme of "CREATE, CONNECT, REFLECT: Launching Collaborations and (Re)building Community in Our Fields." The fourteenth Thomas R. Watson Conference in Rhetoric and Composition will offer a space for launching collaborative projects; by the end of the conference, each group will have presented a project deliverable at the showcase and will be free to continue their collaboration thereafter. February 28 – March 1 (virtual) and March 7-9 (in person).

The Watson Conference in Rhetoric and Composition is a biennial event hosted by the English Department and funded by the Thomas R. Watson Endowment. In 1995 Dr. Thomas R. Watson, a Louisville physician, banker, and entrepreneur, donated $1.2 million to endow a biennial International Conference in Rhetoric and Composition and a Visiting Distinguished Professorship. The gift is a mark not only of Dr. Watson's extraordinary generosity but also of his imaginative and far-sighted vision. He believed in the fundamental importance of a literate citizenry, and of the vital task faced by the liberal arts in educating students to become critical, active, and engaged readers and writers. More information.

New Director Angela Storey Hosts Anne Braden Institute Open House

The Anne Braden Institute for Social Justice Research is hosting our ABI Spring Open House. Under the new direction of Dr. Angela Storey (Anthropology), this is an opportunity for A&S faculty, staff, and students to meet our new director, network, and learn about upcoming ABI initiatives. Friday, March 1, 2024, 2-5pm, ABI Reading Room (Ekstrom 258). RSVP here: https://bit.ly/ABISOHwww.louisville.edu/braden

Patricia Evangelista to Deliver Center for Asian Democracy's Annual Lecture

Save the Date! The Center for Asian Democracy’s Annual Lecture will feature Patricia Evangelista, an investigative reporter from the Philippines whose book, Some People Need Killing, (Penguin Random House) was named Time Magazine’s #1 Non-Fiction Book of 2023, a Top 5 Non-Fiction Book of 2023 by the New York Times, and called “a journalistic masterpiece” by David Remnick in The New Yorker. The book is based on Evangelista’s reporting on human rights during the “war on drugs” in the Philippines during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte. The founder of her news outlet, Rappler, won the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize in large part because of Rappler’s reporting on human rights during the Duterte presidency. Tuesday, March 5, at 4:00 pm in the Speed Art Museum. A reception will follow. See book cover, below.

Dept. of Communication's Communication Showcase 

All are invited to the Department of Communication's Communication Showcase, a time where we highlight interesting classes, innovative research, impactful community engagement, impressive international opportunities, and helpful resources. Wednesday, March 27, 10 am -12 noon in the lobby of Strickler. See flyer below.

Festival of Student Films: History in Movies

Mark your calendars: UofL student filmmakers' short films (10-minutes and under) on the theme of "The History in Movies" will be screened on Tuesday, April 2, 6:30 pm, at the Floyd Theatre. Submissions are due by March 6: see submission details above in section on "Calls for Applications and Nominations."

UofL Events

Upcoming Delphi Center Sessions on AI

Artificial Intelligence: So, How Does it Work? During this foundational session on artificial intelligence (AI) in education, participants will discuss many of the fundamental principles underlying AI and explore its diverse applications across the educational landscape. We will also navigate some of the conversations relating to the ethical use of AI, discussing the limitations and considerations associated with this transformative technology. Participants will leave this session with a basic understanding of what AI is, what it may help us achieve and the ethical dimensions guiding its development. Friday, February 23, 2 - 3:30 p.m. in the TILL Classroom, 3rd Fl. of Ekstrom Library

Leveraging ChatGPT and Firefly to Increase Personal Productivity. Discover the untapped potential of generative AI to supercharge your productivity as an academic. This hands-on session introduces some practical applications of generative AI, empowering you to streamline many of your day-to-day workflows. You will leave this session with personalized strategies to integrate generative AI tools into your daily routines, unlocking new levels of efficiency and and productivity. Friday, March 22, 9 - 10:30 a.m. in the TILL Classroom, 3rd Fl. of Ekstrom Library

Using ChatGPT and Firefly to Support Student Learning. This session explores innovative ways to incorporate AI into the classroom, engaging students and enriching learning experiences across disciplines. You will learn how to navigate discussions on AI with students as well as gain practical insights and strategies for seamlessly integrating AI concepts into your courses. Friday, April 19, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the TILL Classroom, 3rd Fl. of Ekstrom Library

Grant writing workshops: Register now for either of the two remaining grant writing workshops taking place on March 1 and May 14, 2024, 12 noon - 1:30 pm, from the Office of Community Engagement, Office of the Provost, and Office of Institutional Equity for faculty, staff, and graduate students. Workshops will introduce the basics of grant writing from the lenses of community engagement, present the foundation for developing a letter of inquiry and a full proposal, provide approaches to engage funders, and provide insights into the review process. Register at this link.