CLAS is a vibrant hub of cutting-edge research and creative work spanning disciplines from creative writing and art to space physics and speech and hearing science.
Our exceptional faculty members drive these endeavors, bringing groundbreaking research and artistic excellence directly into our classrooms, studios, and labs, giving our students direct, hands-on experience and opportunities to contribute to these world-renowned efforts.
CLAS faculty lead
Faculty across the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences consistently earn top recognition for their outstanding work. Explore their impact across disciplines.
Robust research productivity
Our size is a strength. Federal funders regularly award large interdisciplinary and cross-department grants that leverage the breadth of the college.
Driving faculty success
The CLAS Grant Support Office assists faculty in acquiring large, competitive grants by supporting the application process and helps facilitate hundreds of grants each year.
$ 118 M
in external grant funds in fiscal year 2023
490
CLAS tenure track faculty
17
American association for the advancement of science fellows
46
Pulitzer prizes connected to Iowa faculty and alumni
Research and scholarship in CLAS
CLAS continues to advance its research mission by supporting faculty development and productivity, increasing the number of grants and fellowships awarded, and investing in existing and emerging areas of strength with a focus on opportunities for cross-disciplinary research.
Learn more about the accomplishments of our faculty and the impact they are making in their disciplines—and how the college is supporting their work.
Arts and Humanities
In addition to prestigious fellowships like the Guggenheim and Fulbright, humanities faculty secured a $1 million grant to form a National Resource Center for translation and global literacy. Learn more about the interesting and important work happening in the humanities at Iowa.
Natural, Mathematical, and Social Sciences
CLAS is also home to the largest single grant or contract in the history of the University of Iowa: a NASA award of over $160 million to support the TRACERS mission that will launch on a SpaceX rocket in 2025. This is one of many important projects. Explore the impactful and exciting researching happening across the sciences.
News and accomplishments
CLAS faculty are at the forefront of world-class teaching, research, and practice. Their work is making a difference in Iowa, across the country, and around the world.
Faculty achievements
CLAS physics and astronomy assistant professor receives prestigious NSF CAREER award
CLAS journalism professor publishes two books examine journalism in digital age
CLAS statistics and actuarial science professor publishes new book
Two CLAS professors named newest members of the National Academy of Inventors
CLAS professor named American Association for the Advancement of Science fellow
Grant awards
CLAS biology faculty member awarded NSF grant
Six CLAS faculty receive AHI project grants
CLAS history faculty member awarded NEH grant
Research spotlight
Nominate a student or postdoc for the downtown banner campaign
CLAS faculty member researching brain region involved in control of attention
Opera channels creativity of CLAS jazz studies associate professor
NASA touches down in Iowa to talk TRACERS
Research Resource
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Students research and create here
Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences have a unique opportunity to participate in high-impact research, discovery and creative work. Faculty experts across a variety of disciplines mentor and work with our students giving them real-world experience that prepares them for their next step after graduation.
Our students have the opportunity to graduate with:
- Lab and research experience
- Published research and creative work
- Presentations and poster sessions
- Symposiums, showcases, and performances
1/3
of all undergraduates participate in research opportunities
Building a culture of creativity and discovery
As Associate Dean for Research and Infrastructure, it is my privilege to help CLAS researchers across all disciplines advance their research, scholarship, and creative activity. The breadth of CLAS scholarship is vast: from thought-provoking music, theatre, and dance performances to NASA space missions; from the number one public creative writing program in the country to top-ranked clinical programs in speech pathology and audiology; from computer networks to brain networks; from poetry to politics; from sculpture to sociology; and from the meaning of life to the evolution of life. . .CLAS has it all, and our researchers bring their renowned work into the classroom to inspire our students to follow their own scholarly path. My talented team provides CLAS researchers with the tools they need to succeed, whether that be specialized laboratory or studio spaces, assistance with grant applications and award management, computing and data solutions, or collaborative connections across campus.
