From the Dean

Turning the Tide

Into the Flood Zone

This year, the United States witnessed some of the worst flooding events in recent history. Researchers from multiple departments in the College of Letters & Science are focused on finding ways to address what has become a rising issue.

From the Dean

Turning the Tide

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More from the
Spring 2026 issue

Teaching

Learning the Land

Stephen Kantrowitz awakens his students to the connections between their hometowns and Native American history.

Faculty

The Long View

Mark Copelovitch tries to unravel the ever-shifting landscapes of international relations and economic markets.

Students

Magic School Boat

With Ms. Frizzle–level zeal and cross-cutting aspirations, Jumana Tanner embarked on the adventure of a lifetime with UW Marine Biology in the Florida Keys.

Research

Hidden in Another Story

Christy Clark-Pujara uncovers the hard-to-find stories of Black settlers in Wisconsin.

Culture

Cautionary Tales

Six life lessons distilled from the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen

Penny for Her Thoughts

Liz Dennett is tackling the copper crisis using nature’s oldest miners: microbes.

A Sound Investment

Through an innovative new partnership, two Madison philanthropists support a cause dear to their hearts.

How did these mushrooms escape?

Call it a prison break, because golden oyster mushrooms have managed to wiggle their way out of cultivation captivity and into Midwestern ecosystems. While the escapees are thriving in their new home, the invasion is pushing out native fungal communities.

With Bated Breath

When Stacey D. Smith’s son struggled to breathe, medical practitioners skillfully and knowledgeably gave him the care he needed. In processing the scary event, Smith looked back in gratitude at all of the researchers who contributed to the creation of the medicine needed to open up his airways