Photo of a loop of small linked units climbing a hill of ball bearings.
Advance in robot locomotion by UChicago, University of Amsterdam researchers could offer new avenues for design

Scientists create ‘odd’ objects that adapt and move over obstacles

Advance in robot locomotion by UChicago, University of Amsterdam researchers could offer new avenues for design

Study by UChicago scientists finds four tiny planets around one of our nearest stars

An artist’s conception of the view from one of the four planets orbiting Barnard’s Star

Remembering Jewel Stradford Lafontant, JD’46, barrier-breaking attorney

Jewel Stradford

Former CIA Director William J. Burns to discuss America’s role in the world at April 16 UChicago event

William Burns

Roland Winston, pioneer in solar energy, engineering and physics, 1936–2025

Roland Winston

Around UChicago

James A. Robinson to present 2025 Ryerson Lecture on April 23

James Robinson

AROUND UCHICAGO

AI-driven, autonomous lab at Argonne transforms materials discovery

Argonne and UChicago researchers use AI-driven, autonomous laboratory to accelerate advances in electronic polymers and materials discovery.

Researchers turn herbal tea ingredient into soft gels for biomedical use
University of Chicago scientists find way to make malva nuts into hydrogels
Changxu Sun
University of Chicago scientists find way to make malva nuts into hydrogels

UChicago scientists study the hidden cost of Netflix’s autoplay
Computer Science department research highlights behavioral changes created by autoplay defaults
A person watches Netflix on a tablet
Computer Science department research highlights behavioral changes created by autoplay defaults

5 changes you need to know in the new Chicago Manual of Style
18th edition from the University of Chicago Press features advice on everything from inclusive language to emoji usage
Copy of The Chicago Manual of Style 18th edition surrounded by buttons and stickers.
18th edition from the University of Chicago Press features advice on everything from inclusive language to emoji usage

David Axelrod, AB’76, named UChicago’s 2025 Class Day speaker
IOP’s founding director to address College students on June 6, kicking off Convocation weekend. He said: “I look forward to drawing on the lessons of my own journey in a way that might be useful to these graduates in these uniquely challenging and promising times.”
David Axelrod
IOP’s founding director to address College students on June 6, kicking off Convocation weekend. He said: “I look forward to drawing on the lessons of my own journey in a way that might be useful to these graduates in these uniquely challenging and promising times.”

PODCASTS

Big Brains homepage

Episode 154

Do animals understand death?, with Susana Monsó
In ‘Playing Possum,’ philosopher examines whether animals can grasp mortality—from dogs mourning owners to orcas grieving young
Dog at cemetery
In ‘Playing Possum,’ philosopher examines whether animals can grasp mortality—from dogs mourning owners to orcas grieving young

Episode 153

Why measles is resurging—and the rise of vaccine hesitancy, with Adam Ratner
Infectious disease expert examines the latest outbreaks—and the uncertain future of children’s health
A child with measles
Infectious disease expert examines the latest outbreaks—and the uncertain future of children’s health

Episode 152

The little-known secrets to a good life, with Shigehiro Oishi
Psychologist argues to look beyond happiness and meaning to find fulfillment
A smiley face under a magnifying glass
Psychologist argues to look beyond happiness and meaning to find fulfillment

Episode 151

How bioelectronics could heal our bodies and minds, with Bozhi Tian
Scientists design living devices to fight infections, power the heart and regulate the brain
An abstract illustration depicting bioelectronics
Scientists design living devices to fight infections, power the heart and regulate the brain

Episode 150

Could a fungal pandemic be “The Last of Us?” with Arturo Casadevall
Scientists warn against a potential health threat due to climate change, resistance to drugs
Bacteria illustration
Scientists warn against a potential health threat due to climate change, resistance to drugs

More from the University of Chicago Podcast Network

Capitalisn't

Is capitalism the engine of destruction or the engine of prosperity?

Listen
Capitalisn't podcast
Capitalisn't

Not Another Politics Podcast

Understand the political science behind the headlines

Listen
Not Another Politics Podcast logo
Not Another Politics Podcast

Entitled

Why rights matter—and what’s the matter with rights

Listen
Entitled
Entitled

SPECIAL SERIES

Video thumbnail for the video

Inside the Lab

Light Lab: Understanding the gut microbiome to treat disease

Step inside Asst. Prof. Sam Light’s lab to learn how scientists are mapping the incredible network of microbes living inside your gut—and how they can affect health or disease.

Dispatches from Abroad

UChicago language immersion grants inspire ‘a curiosity for the world’
Two College students share their summer experiences abroad through the FLAG program
A group of five students on a bridge in front of a pagoda-like building and willow trees.
Two College students share their summer experiences abroad through the FLAG program

UChicago Class Visits

UChicago students engage their senses outside the classroom
Undergraduates create art by listening, touching, tasting and smelling our impact on the environment
A college student sits on stone steps outside while sketching or writing on a piece of paper.
Undergraduates create art by listening, touching, tasting and smelling our impact on the environment

Meet A UChicagoan

Unraveling the ancient past, one tablet at a time
UChicago student Danielle Levy finds passion for the Akkadian language through Core curriculum
Danielle Levi
UChicago student Danielle Levy finds passion for the Akkadian language through Core curriculum

UChicago Explainer Series

View All Explainers
Illustration of galaxies spreading out from a single luminous point
Coined by University of Chicago astrophysicist Michael Turner in 1998, dark energy—the force causing the universe to expand faster over time—remains one of the great mysteries of physics.

Dark energy, explained

Coined by University of Chicago astrophysicist Michael Turner in 1998, dark energy—the force causing the universe to expand faster over time—remains one of the great mysteries of physics.

RECENT

Carbon-14 dating, explained
First developed in the late 1940s at UChicago, carbon dating can determine the age of organic materials as old as 60,000 years.
A 2,000 year old painted wood mask from an ancient Egyptian coffin.
First developed in the late 1940s at UChicago, carbon dating can determine the age of organic materials as old as 60,000 years.

Improv, explained
Modern improv comedy began at the University of Chicago in the 1950s.
A chair on stage
Modern improv comedy began at the University of Chicago in the 1950s.

MOST VIEWED

How the Earth and moon formed, explained

Ecological succession, explained

Perfect pitch, explained