UW-Madison College of Letters & Science

Immigration has become a central issue in the U.S. Presidential Election. Benjamin Marquez, a professor of political science and an affiliate of the Chican@ and Latin@ Studies Program, talks to PBS Wisconsin about its significance to each of the candidates. #politicalscience #immigration #WeAreLS

Sophomore Anthony Imbert spent his summer with the Letters & Science Summer of Excellence in Research (LASER) program, studying brain biomarkers in aphasia patients who had recently suffered a stroke. It's an important step toward an eventual career as a researcher. “All processes that the brain goes through — in any condition that it’s in — are super fascinating to me, because I know our perception of self and our perception of how we analyze the world are obviously through this mechanism [the brain] that we barely know,” Imbert says. #research #LASER #WeAreLS

New assistant professor of language sciences Kelly Wright studies the emerging field of linguistic justice. “Linguistic justice is really just equity for language use, so we can create environments where people can more openly communicate their ideas,” she says. Wright's work helps ensure that people in the legal setting and the housing market aren't discriminated against because the language they use doesn't match what many consider to be standardized English. #linguistics #linguisticjustice #WeAreLS

As more and more L&S students pursue multiple majors, Jenna Karcheski (x25) is going one better--she's pursuing three. She's combining astrophysics, computer science and data science, learning to use AI to analyze astronomical data. “I love learning new skills in my CS and DS classes and being able to apply it right away to my research," she says. "It’s almost like a game to me to go through class material and find ways I can apply it to Astrophysics. It’s a lot of work, but being equipped with the skills that I learn in all three of my programs is worth it.” #cdis #astronomy #datascience #WeAreLS

Are you a trailblazer? We're on the hunt for someone who's ready to help us raise our research services game. ? Come join the College of Letters & Science for an exciting role as a Divisional Post-Award Accountant on a innovative and new team of other Research Services champions! You'll have an opportunity to make a positive impact by becoming a subject matter expert in post-award grant management, accounting, and compliance reporting, with excellent training opportunities and support from leadership on professional development and other opportunities to grow in the position. This is a new initiative with an evolving team as the college implements Administrative Transformation Program (ATP) within L&S. The role is perfect for trailblazers passionate about building effective relationships while applying equitable practices that foster a community of belonging. ? Learn more about the job here: https://lnkd.in/gGRpjg5s Applications are due by October 15, 2024. #hiring #WeAreLS

Congratulations to L&S alumni Loka Ashwood (Sociology PhD ’15) and Keivan Stassun (Astronomy MS ’99, PhD ’00), who have been selected to receive 2024 MacArthur “Genius Grants,” a designation that includes an $800,000 stipend. The MacArthur Foundation is honoring Ashwood and Stassun for their ability to impact society in significant and beneficial ways through original, pioneering work. Ashwood studies the impact of government policies on rural communities, and Stassun works to create opportunities for neurodivergent and autistic individuals to study and find careers in STEM fields. #geniusgrants #sociology #astronomy #WeAreLS

"Axe" these L&S alums if they had fun at last weekend's recent grad meetup event at AXE MKE. We have a pretty good idea what their answer will be. #recentgrads #wisalumni #WeAreLS

Nominations for the 2024 Outstanding Women of Color Awards close today--you can still duck yours in at the following link: https://lnkd.in/gxjwwjwA While you're filling it out, you can read conversations with the 2023 winners, Molli Pauliot (’19, ’20), a doctoral candidate in the Department of Anthropology, and Alexandra Villa (’20), a doctoral candidate in the Department of Geoscience. Both have made a real difference through their work on campus. #WeAreLS

Back to school isn't just a big deal for our students--it can also be stressful for L&S faculty. Professors in English, math, journalism, chemistry and more share the strategies they use to get ready to tackle a new semester of teaching. #teaching #WeAreLS

Kate Walsh, an associate professor of psychology and gender & women's studies, works to build support systems to help survivors of sexual assault. Since arriving on campus in 2020, she's landed a string of sizable grants from federal agencies to add on-campus resources like emergency room interventions and forensic nurses. “I’m very excited about the possibility of being able to potentially do some really valuable intervention that’s low burden and low cost for victims when they’re seeking care,” she says. #psychology #WeAreLS