College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa Offering Hawkeyes a rich liberal arts experience at the heart of a major public research university.

Some of the most intense auroras in the last 500 years occurred on Mother’s Day in 2024. New research led by the Departm...
09/05/2026

Some of the most intense auroras in the last 500 years occurred on Mother’s Day in 2024.

New research led by the Department of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Iowa offers the most detailed account to date of the geomagnetic storm behind these auroras. The team found that 10 coronal mass ejections (explosions on the surface of the sun) erupted over four days, with multiple magnetic clouds merging and strengthening on their journey toward Earth.

The findings provide new insight into how interacting solar eruptions can produce intense space weather and could help scientists develop more accurate forecasts of their effects on Earth, as geomagnetic storms can threaten satellites, power grids, and other activities.

The study was published in the Astrophysical Journal this August.

09/04/2026

Language skills and cultural competence can open doors across industries and the world.

CLAS students studying linguistics, languages, and international studies are learning how the world works, and their place in it. Their experiences include studying abroad, completing internships and ambassadorships, leading conversation groups, and learning to communicate meaning across diverse contexts.

Those experiences can prepare students for careers in education, international business, government, nonprofit organizations, translation, diplomacy, and more.

Gardening.Making coffee.Video art. Puppet shows.Class activities go beyond the traditional with Elizabeth Rodriguez Fiel...
09/03/2026

Gardening.
Making coffee.
Video art.
Puppet shows.

Class activities go beyond the traditional with Elizabeth Rodriguez Fielder, associate professor in University of Iowa - Department of English and American Studies at Iowa.

As a scholar of Latinx studies, Rodriguez Fielder brings her interests in literature, visual culture, history and activism into the classroom. She encourages students to experiment with ideas and take creative risks.

“Just ask harder questions and ask weirder questions," said Rodriguez Fielder of what she wants her students to take away from her classes. "When they think they’re done asking the question, ask it again.”

Ancient Egypt wasn’t only the world of pyramids and pharaohs. Its surviving records tell stories of love, arguments betw...
09/02/2026

Ancient Egypt wasn’t only the world of pyramids and pharaohs. Its surviving records tell stories of love, arguments between neighbors, stolen property, workplace rivalries, and other ordinary experiences that still feel familiar thousands of years later.

CLAS Egyptologist Nicholas Brown studies history from the bottom up, focusing on the daily lives of people often missing from the historical record. His work takes him from ancient texts to archaeological sites in Egypt, where he uses modern approaches to revisit discoveries made more than a century ago.

In Classics and Religious Studies at Iowa, Brown is also creating opportunities for students to experience Egyptology as a living field of study, including joining excavation fieldwork in Egypt when possible.

“I'm where I'm at today because of the generosity and time of mentors and teachers that I had,” Brown said. “It's definitely my mantra to pay it forward and give students that chance as well.”

Got writer's block?Writers from across the university—from mathematics to rhetoric—share their best writing tips. From c...
09/01/2026

Got writer's block?

Writers from across the university—from mathematics to rhetoric—share their best writing tips.

From creating a Pavlovian-esque signal for yourself, to focusing on writing for only one audience member, CLAS faculty and staff share their diverse approaches to tackling the blank page.

What's your best writing advice? Comment below!

$150,000 was awarded to Iowa Writers’ Workshop graduate and award-winning author Tony Tulathimutte (MFA ’12), for the Ja...
08/31/2026

$150,000 was awarded to Iowa Writers’ Workshop graduate and award-winning author Tony Tulathimutte (MFA ’12), for the Jack Galef Literary Arts Award.

Administered by the Iowa Writers’ Workshop on behalf of the estate of workshop alumnus Jack Galef, the award is one of the largest literary prizes in the United States.

Tulathimutte is the author of the novel "Private Citizens" and the 2024 short story collection "Rejection," which was long-listed for the National Book Award.

“I feel enormously lucky and grateful to be the inaugural recipient of the Jack Galef Award,” Tulathimutte said. “I hope I can prove that supporting writers is worthwhile.”

Congratulations, Tony!

Congratulations to Brad Carson and Jeff DeReus on receiving an IT Leadership Team Achievement Award at Tech Forum 2026. ...
08/30/2026

Congratulations to Brad Carson and Jeff DeReus on receiving an IT Leadership Team Achievement Award at Tech Forum 2026.

As members of the TRACERS team, Carson and DeReus provided IT support for a satellite mission in collaboration with partners including NASA, Department of Physics & Astronomy, The University of Iowa, and leading research institutions.

In their roles, they helped enhance system reliability and operational efficiency while exemplifying the collaborative spirit that makes ambitious research possible.

Congratulations, Brad and Jeff, on this well-deserved recognition!

08/29/2026

Helping students turn their interests into meaningful paths forward is at the heart of a CLAS education.

For one biomedical sciences student in the University of Iowa Department of Biology, an interest in both scientific research and patient care led to a major that offered opportunities to explore both. Through coursework in biology, chemistry, microbiology, and more, students build an understanding of human health while gaining opportunities for hands-on research and real-world experience in local hospitals.

Those experiences can prepare students for medical school, graduate study in biomedical research, and other next steps while helping them discover how their interests can translate into a future career.

See how biomedical sciences is helping students build a foundation for what comes next.

08/28/2026

Why Iowa? 🖤💛

For some students, it’s the University of Iowa football games. For others, it’s finding the right program, following in a family tradition, discovering a passion, or simply knowing Iowa felt like home. Meet some of the newest students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS, pronounced "class") and hear why they chose Iowa, what they’re studying, and what they’re most excited for as they start their journey at Iowa.

🖤💛 Why did you choose Iowa?

Nominate students or postdocs to be featured on downtown Iowa City banners!If you know a University of Iowa student or p...
08/28/2026

Nominate students or postdocs to be featured on downtown Iowa City banners!

If you know a University of Iowa student or postdoc doing amazing research 🔬 , scholarship 📚 , or creative work 🎨 , nominate them for the 2027 "Dare to..." Downtown Banner Campaign.

Use the link in the comments to submit nominations. Nominations close Friday, Sept. 11.

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Iowa City, IA
52242

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