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Middle East and North Africa Studies
School of Global Studies and Languages

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Don Van Houten
In Memory of Don Van Houten: A bridge-builder connecting several generations of sociologists
SOCIOLOGY - Don Van Houten is remembered by his colleagues for his time as a sociologist at the UO, and his impactful work. Van Houten previously served as department head and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. His memorial service is 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12.
Valley of the Gods, Bears Ear National Monument, Utah
Sociology PhD Student Publishes Work in Academic Journal
SOCIOLOGY - Doctoral student Amanda Ricketts' research on settler colonialism narratives used by media outlets regarding the Bears Ears National Monument was published in the October issue of the journal Environmental Sociology.
Ducks at Autzen Stadium
In Their Own Words: New Ducks Sample the FIGs
BIOLOGY, CINEMA STUDIES, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, GEOGRAPHY - From animals to adhesives to DJ food stamp, students in First-year Interest Groups follow their fascinations and create community.
Carbon Sequestration: UO/Coquille Tribe Collaboration, NSF Grant
Accounting for carbon from forest to estuary

INDIGENOUS, RACE, AND ETHNIC STUDIES; NATIVE AMERICAN AND INDIGENOUS STUDIES-The issue of climate change is so large it’s easy to feel powerless. How can any one person, community, or institution tackle a problem global in scale, in which the unintended consequences of choices made on one side of the globe affects people on the other? The short answer is, they can’t. But by mitigating the effects of a changing climate in a local area, groups of people can have an impact and provide an example for other communities to do the same.

Michelle Jacob, professor of Indigenous studies and director of the Sapsik’ʷałá (Teacher) Education Program in the Department of Education Studies.
Placing kinship traditions at the center of research with the Yakama Nation
INDIGENOUS, RACE AND ETHNIC STUDIES, NATIVE AMERICAN AND INDIGENOUS STUDIES - Michelle Jacob, professor of Indigenous studies and director of the Sapsik’ʷałá (Teacher) Education Program in the Department of Education Studies  at the UO, has received an award from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to examine how kinship, as practiced in Indigenous communities, can inform research and evaluation as practiced more broadly in the US.
A mural of comic panels by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas
Speakers will explore Indigenous comic art over the coming year
INDIGENOUS, RACE AND ETHNIC STUDIES, NATIVE AMERICAN AND INDIGENOUS STUDIES- Three Indigenous artists whose work deals extensively with environmental questions will take part in the Indigenous Comics Speaker Series over the coming academic year. The series begins with Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, an award-winning visual artist and author, at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, in the Knight Library Browsing Room.
aerial view of Eugene campus
University makes steady gains in annual U.S. News rankings
ECONOMICS - The University of Oregon jumped to a tie for 98th in the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings for best national universities. The College of Arts and Sciences landed at 71st in computer science, 88th in economics and 51st in psychology.
hazelnuts on a tree
Hazelnut researchers cover new ground with sustainable method
BIOLOGY, ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES - The Hallett Lab is collecting samples to test a new, more sustainable way to farm hazelnuts. Steve Haring, a postdoctoral researcher in the Hallett Lab, is studying what happens when cover crops, such as native wildflowers, are used as beds around the trees.
NILI Logo
Northwest Indian Language Institute Awarded U.S. Department of Education Grant
INDIGENOUS, RACE, AND ETHNIC STUDIES; NATIVE AMERICAN AND INDIGENOUS STUDIES-The Northwest Indian Language Institute (NILI) was awarded a $1.7 million US Dept. of Education grant to assume the role of the Northwest Native American Language Resource Center for the Pacific Northwest. They will work directly with tribal nations in the region on language documentation and revitalization, curriculum development, teacher training, and other crucial needs.
asteroid hits the dinosaurs
New study: Past mass extinctions may hold lessons for today
ANTHROPOLOGY - University of Oregon researchers are teaming up with scientists throughout the US to study the most recent mass extinction—the one in the late Cretaceous that killed the dinosaurs—to prepare for a future one caused by humans.
UO graduate students in front of a Galapagos Science Center sign
Graduate students ready to put conference lessons into action
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES - After a recent week in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, five UO graduate students have returned ready to use what they learned to help local communities plan for a more sustainable future.
Kirby Brown, NAIS director
Kirby Brown awarded Herman Distinguished Teaching Award for Specialized Pedagogy
INDIGENOUS, RACE, AND ETHNIC STUDIES; NATIVE AMERICAN AND INDIGENOUS STUDIES-In a special surprise delivered straight to their classrooms, eight professors learned they won a 2023 Distinguished Teaching Award. The Distinguished Teaching Awards recognize exceptional teaching that is inclusive, engaged and research-informed. This year’s winners are Jocelyn Hollander, Faith Barter, Alex Zunterstein, Kirby Brown, Robin Hopkins, Tannaz Farsi, Patricia Rodley and Michael Moffitt.
A reflection of the UO O through a glass award
Eight professors win 2023 Distinguished Teaching Awards
ENGLISH, NATIVE AMERICAN AND INDIGENOUS STUDIES, SOCIOLOGY, SPANISH, THEATRE ARTS - The Distinguished Teaching Awards recognize exceptional teaching that is inclusive, engaged and research-informed. This year’s winners are Jocelyn Hollander, Faith Barter, Alex Zunterstein, Kirby Brown, Robin Hopkins, Tannaz Farsi, Patricia Rodley and Michael Moffitt.
flags of the world
Ducks of Impact: Alumni working in diplomacy
GEOGRAPHY, GLOBAL STUDIES, HISTORY - Read the stories of six alumni whose work in international affairs is making a global impact.
Ilioo Native Theatre Rehearsal Photo
Ilioo Native Theatre Receives Major Grant from the Oregon Community Foundation
INDIGENOUS, RACE, AND ETHIC STUDIES; NATIVE AMERICAN AND INDIGENOUS STUDIES-illioo Native Theatre has received a major grant from the Oregon Community Foundation for the continued development and production of their new play, BlueJay’s Canoe.