Now accepting nominations: 2025 U of M Public Engagement Awards

The Office for Public Engagement has announced a new suite of awards that recognize community-engaged scholarship and community service across the U of M System. Awards include the President’s Community-Engaged Scholar Award, as well as awards recognizing societal impact, teaching and learning, scholarship in the areas of research and creative activities, outstanding early-career scholars, graduate and undergraduate students, University professionals, and community partners. Nominations are due Dec. 20.

Nominate a climate adaptation leader

The University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership is accepting nominations for its 2025 Minnesota Climate Adaptation Awards. These awards celebrate exceptional achievements in climate resilience and climate justice by individuals and organizations in Minnesota. Nominations close on Dec. 2. 

Project explores alternative sensing technology to detect bikes, EVs

Until recently, in-ground loop detectors have been the industry standard for detecting traditional vehicle traffic at intersections. But these in-ground sensors are less effective for detecting electric vehicles, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. As technology advances, new video- and radar-based detection systems are offering alternatives to loop detectors.

Senior veterans walk toward wellness

Nearly 295,000 military veterans live in Minnesota, and over half of them are over age 65. Senior veterans encounter the same challenges as aging civilians, but they also face unique hardships: veterans are at higher risk for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance abuse. Anita Harris Herring, U of M Extension family resiliency educator, recognized an opportunity to give back to those who have served our country by partnering with the Minnesota Department of Health to offer a veteran-led walking program.

Recycled tires show promise for cheap, effective stormwater treatment

Recycled tires could potentially be used as a low-cost building material that retains phosphate in stormwater treatment systems—but they can leach heavy metals into the environment. U of M researchers have been investigating the use of biofilms as a means of mitigating this problem.

Research Brief: Police interactions can increase epigenetic age in youth of color

New research from the University of Minnesota shows that stress caused by negative interactions with police can increase epigenetic age, which is a biological indicator that can differ from chronological age. See additional recent Research Briefs.

Talking deer collisions with the U of M

When clocks “fall back” one hour with the end of daylight saving time, the shorter days have implications beyond the loss of sunlight: research shows that the end of daylight saving time brings a 16 percent rise in vehicle and deer collisions in the week following. Ron Moen, UMD associate professor and wildlife biologist at the Natural Resources Research Institute, discusses how deer collisions affect Minnesota drivers and how we can all stay safer. See more editions of "Talking with U of M."

Post-Election Spaces at the U of M

Reflect and connect after the election by joining U of M Post-Election Spaces for faculty, instructors, and staff. Sessions include "What just happened?," Nov. 6; "Teaching in Times of Crisis - Democracy Edition," Nov. 13; and "Now what?," Nov 20. Zoom office hours for systemwide support will also be available.

Course Works Q&A Webinars

In preparation for the spring semester, the Course Works team will be hosting open Zoom Q&A webinars to field program questions from instructors and staff. See webinar times and Zoom links.