International Conflict Data Project

‌Project compiles 200 years of conflict data: Phys.org – Oct. 16

… Research led by The University of Alabama (UA) to describe and categorize more than 30,000 international events occurring over nearly 200 years will be a gold mine for those hoping to learn from the past. The International Conflict Data Project should help policymakers and political scientists better understand and predict the outcomes of high-stakes, international confrontations. “The datasets really are game changers in how we go about studying international conflict,” said Dr. Douglas Gibler, professor and political science researcher at UA Institute for Social Science Research. “This is the best source of inter-state conflict data for peace science researchers who can now have the highest confidence that the data we provide best matches the concept of inter-state conflict.”

Art Immersion

Dothan City Schools showcase new art immersion project on the Basilosaurus: Alabama Public Radio – Oct. 17

… This project also shows the impact of art and collaboration through The University of Alabama. A Basilosaurus fossil is part of UA’s Museum of Natural History. Dr. John Friel works at the museum and partnered with Dothan High School art teacher Marion Wylly to combine the academic curriculum alongside the art installation.

Fatphobia

‘Love Actually’ director apologizes for lack of diversity, inappropriate weight jokes: Tomatazos (Spain) – Oct. 18

(Translated) … Ariane Prohaska, sociologist at The University of Alabama, believes that such representations lead to treating fat people differently and perpetuate erroneous notions about the need to constantly “improve” our bodies.

Mass Shooter Media Coverage

The Nashville Dilemma: To Release or Not to Release the Shooter’s Manifesto: Red State – Oct. 18

… that these copycats will continue. Dr. Adam Lankford of The University of Alabama has conducted several key studies of the media coverage… 

Funerary Objects

Archaeology society spars over publishing photos of Indigenous burial offerings: Science – Oct. 18

… That’s especially concerning to those in the field of iconography, which deciphers the meaning of the motifs decorating funerary objects through detailed visual analysis. Without images of an object, an iconographic study “is unintelligible,” says Vernon James Knight, an archaeologist and professor emeritus at The University of Alabama, who signed the petition. Line drawings are prohibitively expensive and don’t capture critical subtleties, and photos published as online supplemental material will likely disappear as technology changes, Steponaitis says. He also argues the new consultation requirement impinges on academic freedom. “If what I publish as a scholar can be suppressed by government officials—and I don’t care if it’s a state government, the federal government, or a tribal government—that’s a huge problem,” he says.

Gender Expression

Madison Grooters showcases her art on sexuality and gender identity: The Crimson White – Oct. 18

UA alum Madison Grooters showcased her artwork at the Intercultural Diversity Center on Oct. 16. Grooters graduated last May and now works at the University as a specialist for the sculpture foundry. During the showcase, Grooters gave a detailed presentation on her work and the inspiration behind it… Kerrigan Clark is a student engagement coordinator for the Women and Gender Resource Center, which hosted the event. She said that gender expression is a topic she knew about before the event but has continued to learn about people’s experiences and how they express themselves through art through this showcase. “Being here in Alabama, this is something that a lot of people just aren’t exposed to, and UA students have an opportunity to learn about this and experience it,” Clark said.

Monster Makeover

Monster Makeover, back after pause, gives children’s drawn dreams a creative life of their own: WVUA – Oct. 19

Monster Makeover, which began as a Tuscaloosa News project in 2010 and grew into a beloved yearly project, is back…with the help of the Arts Council of Tuscaloosa and a whole lot of talented people who remain committed to Making It Happen.

Smith Family Center for the Performing Arts

UA breaks ground for the Smith Family Center for the Performing Arts: Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 20

Shovels stand at the ready for the groundbreaking for the Smith Family Center For The Performing Arts at The University of Alabama Friday, Oct. 20, 2023.
Yellowhammer News 
CBS 42 
WVUA 
WVTM 13 
The Crimson White 

House Speaker

University of Alabama professor talks impact of no house speaker: WBRC Fox 6 – Oct. 20

After the House voted to remove Rep. Jim Jordan as a potential speaker, many wonder how this will impact any spending bills, including aid for Ukraine and Israel, in the near future. WBRC spoke with a University of Alabama Political Science Professor for more insight.