Articles from October 2026

A portrait of University of Iowa professor Tom Lin.

CLAS author Tom Lin talks about taking literary risks and road trips

Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Tom Lin, a University of Iowa assistant professor who teaches English and creative writing, is winning national acclaim as a novelist.
Image: Rachel McLaren

CLAS professor Rachel McLaren brings curiosity to life’s difficult conversations

Wednesday, October 21, 2026
CLAS communication studies associate professor explores conflict and hurtful interactions to strengthen communication across relationships, classrooms, and communities.
Image: Gary Pierce

CLAS professor Gary Pierce inducted into National Academy of Kinesiology 

Wednesday, October 21, 2026
University of Iowa Professor Gary Pierce has been inducted into the National Academy of Kinesiology, one of the highest honors in the field, recognizing his scholarship and leadership. 
A small workshop-style class at the University of Iowa Nonfiction Writing Program.

50 years of treating nonfiction as an art

Tuesday, October 20, 2026
For half a century, students in the University of Iowa Nonfiction Writing Program have been encouraged to question convention, follow their curiosity, and discover just how much the genre can do.
Graphic: Gold colored illustrated brain on black background

Understand the science of your brain with this gen-ed course

Tuesday, October 20, 2026
From sleep trackers to dental anesthetics, students in this College of Liberal Arts and Sciences general education course discover the neuroscience behind everyday experiences.
Demir-Lira recreates her study into parent-child learning with her fourth-grade daughter, Sophia Lira.

CLAS researchers find parents should combine words with gestures to help their children learn

Monday, October 19, 2026
Ece Demir-Lira, associate professor in the UI Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and the study’s corresponding author, says combining words with hand gestures can be applied by parents and teachers alike.
Housing the University of Iowa’s reflecting telescope, the Van Allen Observatory sits on the rooftop of Van Allen Hall in Iowa City on Oct. 16, 2026. The site hosts Public Viewing Events between March and October, providing community members opportunities to look through various telescopes.

Volunteers share their love of astronomy with the community at Van Allen Hall’s Observation Night

Monday, October 19, 2026
The CLAS Physics and Astronomy Department hosts Public Observing Nights in the Van Allen Observatory to spark students’ and community members’ interest in astronomy.
 The new University of Iowa exercise oncology clinic, housed in the Health Sciences Academic Building, is filled with exercise equipment and lined with windows.

New CLAS clinic pilots exercise treatments to improve health of cancer patients, survivors

Monday, October 19, 2026
A new exercise oncology research clinic at the University of Iowa is helping people dealing with cancer and its aftermath build back strength and trust in their bodies through exercise training.
Black and white photo of Johnny Brian Pasierb examining negatives.

A lifetime behind the lens inspires a new darkroom for CLAS students

Saturday, October 17, 2026
Inspired by a lifelong love of photography, Johnny Brian Pasierb and his wife, Caroline, are investing in the next generation of analog artists at the University of Iowa.
Image: Jack Sorensen

CLAS English and creative writing student finds community through literature and storytelling

Friday, October 16, 2026
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences English and creative writing programs connect students with award-winning faculty, passionate peers, and Iowa City’s vibrant literary community.