• Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Rankings Survey. This survey (takes 5 minutes) asks experienced, published academics for their views about their own research and their institutions’ interdisciplinary research in science, or science and social science subjects. (More information on the survey.)  Who can respond: Research faculty and staff working in science disciplines or in interdisciplinary research. You may share the survey link with colleagues. Survey results: The 2027 Rankings, in partnership with Schmidt Science Fellows, will be published in November 2026.  Respond to the Survey: Follow this link. Survey closes on May 31, 2026. 
• GenAI Dialogues. Illinois Public Media recently featured a session on faculty and staff use of generative AI, with C&I faculty Mindy Chappell as one of the panelists. It was part of the GenAI Dialogues series, of which the College of Education is a partner. The next session in this conversation will be held tomorrow (Wednesday April 22, 3-4pm), featuring industry representatives.

Research Events

• At Risk U: What Criticism Teaches: The University Conditions of Non-Economic Life. Mellon Foundation At Risk U: the Past, Present & Figure of Academic Freedom Sawyer Seminar series. Christopher Newfield, Independent Social Research Foundation, London. Public universities must confront and replace an entrenched financial model that disserves education while undermining their own fiscal solvency. Spurlock Museum, 4/21/26, 5:30pm. 
• TOMORROW. GenAI Dialogues: Industry Perspectives on AI. Biotech, manufacturing, and financial services: what technical and human skills companies value, how AI is transforming recruiting and workforce development, how students can prepare for an AI-enabled workplace. Wednesday, 4/22/26, 3-4pm. Register to attend. 
• McKechnie Family LIFE Home Spring Open House. Cutting-edge research center focused on innovations in home environments. Current projects in interdisciplinary research focusing on student engagement. Guests are invited to explore the facility at their own pace, listen to presentations and interact with live demonstrations.  McKechnie Family LIFE Home, 75 Bailey Dr., Champaign IL 61820 Limited parking is available in the lot behind the building and at Illinois State Water Survey, Building No. 8. Friday, 4/24/26, 2-5pm. RSVP to attend. 
• Grainger Engineering Dean's Distinguished Lecture Luncheon: Engineering Our Future: Pathways, Policies and Access. Bevlee Watford, Ph.D., P.E.: How shifts in policy regarding broadening participation —from its origins in the 1960s to the 2023 Supreme Court decision—have shaped access to engineering and computing pathways. Illini Union Ballroom Monday, 4/27/26. Lecture and Luncheon: 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Register to attend. 
• 2026 ITEL Future Learning Technologies Showcase. Center for Research and Innovation in Technology-Enhanced Learning's inaugural Future of Learning Technologies Showcase, aims to highlight the transformational work across the U. of I. that is re-imagining and advancing how people will learn with and through technology. Monday, 5/11/26, 9am-1:30pm, Education Building. RSVP by May 1 to attend. 
• William T Grant Foundation Webinar: Reducing Inequality for Immigrant-Origin Youth: The Research We Need. Explore directions for research examining programs, policies, and practices to reduce inequality for immigrant-origin youth in the US. Moderated by Adam Gamoran, and joined by Cecilia Menjivar, Distinguished Professor and Dorothy L. Meier Social Equities Chair in the Department of Sociology at UCLA, and Catalina Amuedo-Dorantes, Professor of Economics at University of California, Merced. Cecilia and Catalina will draw on their recent essays for the Foundation: "Examining The Role of Civil Society Organizations in Reducing Inequality for Immigrant Youth," and "Safe-Zone Schools and the Pursuit of Equity for Immigrant Youth", outlining areas where new research is needed. With a moderated discussion and time for questions, this webinar is designed to encourage and inform researchers interested in studies on reducing inequality for immigrant-origin young people in the U.S. Tuesday, 5/12/26, 11am-Noon. Register to attend.