A conductor's 50-year crescendo at UChicago

Barbara Schubert has shaped generations of University Symphony Orchestra musicians—now they're returning to play for her Opus 50 celebration

UChicago announces 2026 Diversity Leadership Award recipients

UChicago student goes behind the lens at the White House

UChicago chemists 'film' light-matter hybrid particles

At UChicago event, former U.S. officials warn Iran war is ‘unraveling’ trust in NATO

Scientists get best-ever look at distant planet’s surface with Webb Telescope

AROUND UCHICAGO

Two UChicago scientists elected to National Academy of Sciences in 2026

As Chicago's sports teams angle for new deals, students offer a playbook
Winning team in Harris Policy Innovation Challenge at UChicago proposed sweeping overhaul of how the city handles stadium deals with pro sports franchises

Now Playing

Court Theatre’s ‘Out Here’ rebuilds the queer musical from the ground up
Incubated at UChicago, the original work reimagines divorce, coming out at 50 and the conventions of musical theater

UChicago Medicine to study impact of Formula 1 racing season on performance
Partnership with TGR Haas F1 Team will examine physical, cognitive and psychological toll of motorsports

Three UChicago scholars elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

UChicago

Class Visits

Stevie Wonder is beloved. But can anyone explain his legacy?

In the “Wonder Lab," a UChicago course brought together students and community members to examine the critical influence of an icon

Harnessing the history of Chicago through its archives
A new College course sends students to uncover the ‘hidden stories of the Second City’ in special collections from the Stockyard Institute to Harold Washington Library

New course explores 100 years of anthropology at UChicago
‘Anthropology at Chicago’ pairs faculty conversations with archival research for College students as department approaches its centennial

Golems, Angels and AI: What non-humans teach us about humanity
New UChicago Divinity School course uses religious texts and popular sci-fi to shed light on what it means to be human

UChicago Explainer Series

View All Explainers

Dark matter, explained

RECENT

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.

Exoplanets, explained
We now know there are thousands of planets out there in our galaxy alone. Learn what we know about them, and what mysteries remain.

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The origin of life on Earth, explained

Ecological succession, explained

The Gut Microbiome, explained

Inside the Lab

Explore Labs Across UChicago

Inside the Lab

Sebo Lab: Programming robots to better interact with humans

Go inside the laboratory of Sarah Sebo, whose Human-Robot Interaction lab at the University of Chicago is programming robots with social skills, in order to build trust and rapport with humans. The goal is to develop robots that can improve performance, including better learning outcomes for children.

Sheffield Lab: Understanding the neuroscience of memories
Watch UChicago neurobiologist Mark Sheffield and his team investigate the mechanisms of memory by studying neuron activity and connections. Their research could enhance the treatment of memory-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s and PTSD.

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.

Awad Lab: Predicting and preventing strokes and brain bleeds
In the newest episode of Inside the Lab, visit Prof. Issam Awad and learn about his team's mission: to prevent strokes before they happen.

PODCASTS

Big Brains homepage

Episode 180

Why the Fed matters now more than ever, with Douglas Diamond
Nobel laureate examines future of Federal Reserve leadership and independence—and how to address future financial crises

Episode 179

Anxious? Avoidant? How to build more secure relationships, with Amir Levine
Neuroscientist explains how attachment styles change from childhood to adulthood—and how we can become more secure

Episode 178

Could AI models forecast extreme weather events? with Pedram Hassanzadeh
Climate scientist explains how models are being trained to predict heat waves, monsoons and even unprecedented ‘gray swan’ events

Episode 177

Are judges too powerful? The rise of universal injunctions, with Samuel Bray
Legal scholar discusses the expanding authority of single judges to halt federal policies and executive orders

Episode 176

Could data centers break our power grid? with Andrew Chien
AI demands are straining energy systems and the environment; scientist proposes a more sustainable solution

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