News

ENGLISH, COMICS AND CARTOON STUDIES — Ben Saunders, professor and pop-culture scholar in the College of Arts and Sciences, curated a special exhibit in LA featuring comics artist, Jack Kirby. The exhibit, “Jack Kirby: Heroes and Humanity,” received glowing reviews and is a must-see for anyone in the LA area. In this Q&A, Saunders explains what makes Kirby exceptional and why he's so important to him.

LINGUISTICS - The Department of Linguistics in the College of Arts and Sciences hosted the Linguistic Society of America’s Summer Institute, a five-week summer school held every other year at a new host location. Scholars from around the world came to learn, connect and enjoy the unique qualities of the University of Oregon.

THEATRE ARTS — University Theatre's 2025-2026 season includes four dynamic and human-driven plays. Each of the plays offers a mix of historical and contemporary themes, while also speaking of such timely issues as immigration, gender roles, and workplace safety. All productions feature students on stage and behind the scenes.

Local production of the play, "THEM," opens in Eugene July 24. “THEM,” produced and directed by University of Oregon professor, Malek Najjar is a powerful drama about war, hope and survival. Using humor, laughter and song, the play transports audiences into the extraordinary circumstances that reveal their shared humanity and the ordinary moments that shape their lives. 

COMPARATIVE LITERATURE - PhD comparative literature alumna Jamie Richards won the 2024 National Translation in Prose award for her work on Mariosa Castaldi’s “The Hunger of Women.” During her PhD studies at the UO, Richards studied translation, leading to a career in Italian literature.

ROMANCE LANGUAGES — In the Department of Romance Languages in the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages, Assistant Professor Eleanor Paynter secured a CAS Library Acquisitions Grant to purchase streaming access to a package of five documentaries about migration and citizenship in Italy.

CINEMA STUDIES, EAST ASIAN STUDIES — For Natalie Jacobsen explored multiple majors before landing on cinema studies and media history. That well-rounded education took her across the globe and to her current position as director of marketing and communications at Airlink, a humanitarian aviation nonprofit. She is also a published novelist!

THEATRE ARTS — Known for her standout roles in FX’s “Fargo” and “Legion” and HBO Max’s “Tokyo Vice,” professional actor Rachel Keller visited University of Oregon's Department of Theatre Arts and spent the day engaging with students, offering insights into acting and the film industry.

After announcing a landmark $25 million commitment, Portland developer, philanthropist and alumnus Jordan Schnitzer shares his thoughts on living in an ever-globalizing world—and his hopes for the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages.

COMICS AND CARTOON STUDIES, DISABILITY STUDIES, ENGLISH - What makes the comic book villain the Joker such a popular antagonist for Batman? It’s one of many questions Professor Elizabeth Wheeler examines in her latest research paper, “The Joker’s Shifting Face: Eighty Years of Mad History in Batman and American Culture.”

ENGLISH - The London Stage Database, a groundbreaking digital catalog of theater performances in London between 1660 and 1800. Hosted at University of Oregon, the database includes dates and locations for more than 52,000 action-packed nights at the theater, along with titles and cast lists for each evening’s entertainments; ticket-sales figures; and critical commentary.

CINEMA STUDIES - Each year, the Harlan J. Strauss Visiting Filmmaker Series brings award-winning filmmakers to campus to mentor students and offer practical guidance as undergrads work on their own original films.

GERMAN — In a compelling talk for the departments of German and Scandinavian, visiting lecturer, Nadjib Sadikou, explored how narrative forms in literature can foster intercultural understanding, promote openness to pluralism and encourage respect for cultural differences.

ENGLISH, DISABILITY STUDIES — The University of Oregon’s Perfect Circle Theater is debuting its newest production, “Disabling Reality,” June 7 and 8. It’s a bold, imaginative performance created by and for a truly inclusive community. According to a few of the creative minds behind the production, the goal of Perfect Circle Theater is to create an inclusive community where people with disabilities and their allies can work together as peers. 

Eight faculty members have been selected to win this year’s Distinguished Teaching Awards, which recognize exceptional teaching at the University of Oregon. The 2024-25 recipients are Lana Lopesi, Adell Amos, Mohsen Manesh, Marli Miller, Damian Radcliffe, Corinne Bayerl, Amanda Wojick and Naoko Nakadate.