CAS Connection All Stories archive

ANTHROPOLOGY - Theresa Gildner’s research in the Amazon as a doctoral student in anthropology led to publications and experience in conducting ethical field research. She continues that work as a Washington University faculty member.

INDIGENOUS, RACE AND ETHNIC STUDIES - On Jan. 13, 2026, Ernesto Javier Martínez was awarded $150,000 over two years from the Oregon Community Foundation in partnership with Oregon Humanities. The fellowship supports Oregon artists who use creativity and cultural expressions to address communities. The fellowship award comes at a time when Martínez is wrapping up and beginning film stories that tell the experiences of queer Latinx youth and the immigrant experience in the US.

COMPUTER SCIENCE - Over the past few terms, computer science professors Hank Childs and Aye Thuzar have been working on reworking the entry level computer science class, “Fluency with Information Technology,” to incorporate AI-assisted programming.

THEATRE ARTS - The Robinson Theatre is reopening this February with University Theatre’s winter production of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.” The reopening brings University Theatre’s largest performance space back into rotation, marking an important step forward for student training, production capacity and community engagement.

ENGLISH - CAS undergraduate student Sarah Twiggs’ short story takes the perspective of an ant to win flash fiction contest. "The story was also inspired by the work I’ve been doing with posthumanism in a few of my classes," Twiggs said. "I find it really interesting to de-center the human perspective and consider new ways of thinking and being."

COMICS AND CARTOON STUDIES - The Comics and Cartoon Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences invites professional comics artist, such as Ben Passmore, author of "Black Arms to Hold You Up: A History of Black Resistance," as guest lecturers. The guests help students learn about different career options and show them different ways to use their art.

COMICS AND CARTOON STUDIES - The Comics and Cartoon Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences invites professional comics artist, such as Ben Passmore, author of "Black Arms to Hold You Up: A History of Black Resistance," as guest lecturers. The guests help students learn about different career options and show them different ways to use their art.

SPANISH - College of Arts and Sciences alum Brandon Rigby enjoyed studying Spanish, but it wasn’t until a professor suggested he major in it that he dove in. With multiple overseas assignments under his belt, he is now a global diplomat for the U.S. Department of State.

PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY, BIOCHEMISTRY, BIOLOGY — A new cutting-edge major in the University of Oregon College of Arts and Sciences prepares students to drive technological change through high-demand careers in fields such as semiconductor manufacturing, energy and sustainable materials development.