Research Events and Deadlines (October 2026)
Neuroscientist Bevil Conway will give the keynote lecture at the McPherson ERI’s 18th Annual Vision Science Symposium (MERI) – Oct. 15
AI in Academia Coffee Hour – series runs through Dec. 3
The Daily’s Michael Barbaro on Covering Today’s America – Oct. 20
Are you a fan of The Daily podcast? The La Follette School of Public Affairs is hosting Michael Barbaro, host of the New York Times’ popular podcast.
He will be speaking with La Follette’s Director Susan Yackee at 7 p.m. in Shannon Hall at the Memorial Union.
This is a ticketed event.
Engineering Health for the Common Good: A Symposium on Human Genome Editing and the Convergence of Biology and AI – Oct. 22
Date: Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026
Time: 5-7:30PM
Location: Discovery Building
For nearly three decades, UW–Madison led the effort to articulate public benefits of human embryonic stem cell research and establish the norms that allowed a frontier biotechnology to be supported with public funds.
Human genome editing now presents a similar challenge. CRISPR research is again crossing public-private boundaries, but this time in a new frontier of technological innovation. The Engineering Health for the Common Good symposium takes up the task of articulating a strong case for public benefit, making it the standard by which research must meet as it advances—on the premise that applying emerging biotechnology to biomedicine demands sustained, sometimes uncomfortable exchange among all who stand to inherit its consequences.
This multidisciplinary event brings together scientists, clinicians, engineers, legal scholars, ethicists, disability community representatives, faith communities, and patient organizations to foster dialogue around the opportunities, risks, and societal implications of emerging gene-editing technologies.
Isaac Saul, founder of Tangle News: Escaping Our Bubbles: What Really Divides Us – Oct. 22
Door open at 5:30 p.m.
Location: Gordon Dining Hall
Hosted by UW–Housing/Learning Communities and in partnership with the Wisconsin Exchange.
Saul, a top voice in the non-partisan news world, will discuss the downstream effects of algorithms and information bubbles, including how they reinforce beliefs and shape our understanding of the world.
Call for Applications: WISCIENCE Graduate Fellows Programs – Oct. 25 deadline
If you are a research mentor, you play an important role in helping graduate students and postdocs identify opportunities that support their professional development. Here are three programs in teaching or community engagement:
Designed to complement participants’ research work, each year-long program offers an evidence-based curriculum, supportive cohort structure, and hands-on mentored practicum. One faculty member notes, “The programs provide valuable professional development, which complements their research expertise and hopefully will give them a “leg up” as they apply for jobs.”
Because these programs are immersive and require a significant time commitment, they are best suited for mentees who have a clear interest in the program focus area, strong time-management skills, and the capacity to balance the program alongside their research responsibilities. For many grad students, participation is especially beneficial after qualifying exams, though the ideal timing varies by discipline and individual circumstances.
UW–Madison Global Health Institute’s Health Tuesday Webinar – Oct. 27
The 9 a.m. webinar will; address “Climate Change & Global Displacement.”
Authorship and International Collaboration workshop – Oct. 27
9:30 – 11 a.m.
STEM Commons, Room 126 Steenbock Library
Registration (event is in-person)
Deepen your understanding of research integrity! Join campus researchers and experts from the OVCR and the Libraries for a presentation and discussion about authorship ethics, contributor roles, and international collaboration in today’s regulatory landscape.
The presentation will take place in two parts:
- 9:30 10:10 a.m.: Authorship fundamentals
- 10:15 – 11 a.m.: Co-authorship and foreign collaboration
You are welcome to attend the entire presentation, or stop in as you are able. Light refreshments will be provided.
Sponsored by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and the UW–Madison Libraries
The Price of Publishing: A Conversation on Open Access Costs – Oct. 27
Tuesday, October 27
9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
STEM Commons, Room 126 Steenbock Library
Registration (event is in-person only and will not be recorded)
Rising publishing costs affect us all, so where do we go from here? Join fellow campus researchers and librarians for an International Open Access Week conversation on navigating open scholarship and the cost of publishing.
We will open with a short mini-panel featuring Dr. Adrian Treves, Environmental Studies Professor, and Niamh McGuigan, Libraries’ Associate Dean for Research. From there, the floor is yours! Attendees will drive a facilitated discussion on solutions for the future of academic publishing.
Come ready to discuss ideas, connect with community, and help shape a more sustainable model for open knowledge sharing.
Light snacks and beverages will be provided.
Speakers
Adrian Treves
Professor of Environmental Studies, Adrian Treves, has studied and practiced Open Science since 2012, culminating in teaching a graduate-level course on the reproducibility Crisis and Open Science. Since 2019, Dr. Treves has published guest editorials and peer-reviewed research on Open Science including a 2026 article in Research Integrity and Peer Review, a journal dedicated to Open Science. Examples of his work on Open Science include: Authors declare no competing interests—really?, Replace the ivory tower with the fire tower, and Irreproducible research and a typology of replication efforts.
Niamh McGuigan
Niamh is the Associate Dean of Libraries for Research at UW–Madison, where she promotes and advances research support and collaboration across all campus libraries, including comprehensive coordination of library research services and activities. She served for four years as the founding Director of the Center for Library Exploration and Research at Brown University, where she led several research and programmatic initiatives focused on building academic community and expanding research and data services. There, she also coordinated library efforts for AI in teaching, learning, and engagement, and contributed to campus committees related to AI strategy.
GHI 2026 Seed Grant Program — deadline is is 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 30, 2026.
The Global Health Institute (GHI) is pleased to invite proposals for the 2026 – 2027 GHI seed grant program. This program supports innovative projects that advance the intersection of global health and UW–Madison’s RISE research priority areas, with an emphasis on clear public and global health relevance.
The program is designed to launch innovative global research initiatives, foster long-term partnerships and collaborations, and strengthen competitiveness for sustained external funding. Proposals are particularly encouraged to include work in countries identified in UW–Madison’s Global, Together Featured Country Initiative.
Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center is hosting a New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) mini-series –Sessions are on Oct. 27, Nov. 10, and Nov. 24 from noon-1 p.m. in-person and online.
The series will include special presentations highlighting ongoing stem cell-related NAMs research on campus and potential collaborative and funding opportunities.
- Oct. 27 with speaker Willem (Toy) De Lange in the Orchard View Room (WID)
- Nov. 10 with speaker Monica Ohnsorg in the Orchard View Room (WID)
- Nov. 24 with speakers Anita Bhattacharyya & Yi-Tang Lee in the Orchard View Room (WID)
Isotope Fingerprints Conference – Nov. 11-13
Location: Biotechnology
Why Attend?
- Learn from leaders in stable isotope research across multiple scientific domains
- Gain practical insight into isotope methodologies, data interpretation, and emerging applications
- Expand your network by connecting with researchers, analytical laboratories, and industry partners
- Explore cross-disciplinary solutions to challenges in climate, environment, food systems, and forensics
- Showcase your work through oral presentations, flash talks, and posters
Whether you are an early-career researcher or an established scientist, this conference offers a unique platform to deepen expertise and spark collaboration.