Obermann Center for Advanced Studies

05/12/2026

Looking for a dedicated, cozy space to tackle your academic writing projects this summer?
Apply to the Summer 2026 Obermann Writing Groups! We offer companionship, accountability, and a supportive community for University of Iowa artists, scholars, and researchers. Sessions include brief check-ins, goal setting, and sustained writing time. Open to everyone in the UI academic community!

🗓️ Dates: From June 1 to July 24
📍 Location: Obermann Center for Advanced Studies, 111 Church St
⏰ Times (choose one):
• Mondays, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Applications are due Friday, May 22, by 5:00 p.m.
Apply here: https://obermann.uiowa.edu/form/wcsummer26

04/25/2026

We are thrilled to share the keynote by Andy Mink (Smithsonian Institute) from our recent symposium, 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡. While life in rural America may look different than in exurban and urban areas, it is a mistake to assume that the structures in rural areas are not as effective at building and maintaining thriving communities.

Watch the full lecture:

2 likes. ""More than 'Not Urban': Serving Rural Communities as Places and as People""

04/22/2026

We’re thrilled to welcome the 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐭 to the Obermann Center on Friday, May 1! They will present a dynamic program featuring works by Beethoven and Smetana, alongside a contemporary piece by UI faculty member Sam Young. Refreshments will be provided!
This event is free, but seating is limited. 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐒𝐕𝐏 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲!
You must reserve your spot in advance. Please RSVP by April 24th at 5:00 p.m. to secure your seat.
📅 Friday, May 1 | 6:30 p.m.
📍 Obermann Center (111 Church St., Iowa City)
🔗 RSVP Here: https://obermann.uiowa.edu/form/string-quartet-may-1st-2026 (Reminder: RSVP is required!)

Join us for a festive evening of live music as the Obermann Center welcomes an outstanding UI string quartet for your enjoyment!

04/14/2026

Congratulations to Stephanie Miracle, assistant professor of dance at the University of Iowa Department of Dance , the recipient of our inaugural 𝐎𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝! From collaborating with robotics engineers to environmental researchers, her work proves that the most transformative ideas emerge where disciplines intersect.
We look forward to her public dialogue at our annual Counterpoint event this October.
Learn more:

We’re pleased to announce that our Advisory Board has named Stephanie Miracle, assistant professor of dance, the recipient of the inaugural Obermann Interdisciplinary Achievement Award. The new award recognizes scholars who cross disciplinary boundaries to produce insights not possible within a

04/10/2026

If you're interested in issues around rural culture, be sure to attend next week's lecture by 𝐈𝐝𝐚 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐝-𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐭!
Her research shows that rural America is thriving with a deep commitment to family, equality, and democracy, revealing that we have far more in common than politics suggests. Healing our nation starts with recognizing these shared cultural strengths to bridge the divide between rural and urban communities.
𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑫𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒔
• 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Thursday, April 16, 2026
• 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 5:30 – 7:00 pm
• 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 240 Art Building West

University of Iowa hosts Dr. Elizabeth Currid-Halkett for a public lecture on rural resilience, shared American values, and cultural divides.

04/09/2026

Iowa grad students, we’re wrapping up 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 on Friday, April 10, with opportunities to connect and unwind!
Check out what's happening to close out the week:
🥨 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐬: Ready to kick off the weekend? Join the Graduate Student Senate for a casual evening of community and conversation. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a busy week.
• When: 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟏𝟎 | 𝟔:𝟎𝟎 – 𝟗:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌
• Where: ReUnion Brewery (113 E. College St.)
📸 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐬 Need a high-quality headshot for your portfolio or LinkedIn? Visit the walk-in studio at Plaza Centre One (3rd Floor) for a free professional portrait!
• Hours: 𝐌𝐨𝐧/𝐖𝐞𝐝 𝟖:𝟎𝟎 – 𝟗:𝟎𝟎 𝐀𝐌 | 𝐅𝐫𝐢 𝟏𝟐:𝟑𝟎 – 𝟐:𝟑𝟎 𝐏𝐌
Learn more about the events: https://grad.uiowa.edu/grad-success/graduate-and-professional-student-appreciation-week

04/06/2026

Iowa grad students, it’s all about YOU from April 6–10! The Graduate College, GSS, and University of Iowa Graduate & Professional Student Government have a full lineup of events to recognize your hard work and contributions to our campus.
Mark your calendars for these highlights:
🍦𝐈𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐫: Take a sweet study break and build your own sundae!
• When: 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟖 | 𝟐:𝟎𝟎 – 𝟒:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌
• Where: Eckstein Medical Research Building (EMRB) Atrium

🕹️ 𝐏𝟐𝐏 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫-𝐔𝐩 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 Arcade games (with a $10 game card), food, and community for Peer-to-Peer mentoring participants.
• When: 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟖 | 𝟔:𝟎𝟎 – 𝟖:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌
• Where: Tap Tap (121 E. College St.)
Register here: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9HtT1FGMNtoOyXQ

04/03/2026

Iowa grad students, do you need a quiet place to write in community?
Celebrate 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 with the Grad Success Center at the Obermann Center! Join us for a focused writing session to power through your projects, followed by a chance to connect with fellow grad students.
• When: 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟗, 2026 | 𝟐:𝟎𝟎 – 𝟒:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌
• Where: 𝐎𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬, 111 Church St.
• Dedicated writing time + Snacks provided!
Space is limited! Registration is first-come, first-served.
Sing-up here: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cUPkm8VkDX5lqxE

03/25/2026

Iowa Public Radio ’s 𝘙𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘙𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 will be discussing rurality research at the University of Iowa tomorrow, Thursday, March 26th at 12:00 PM.
The episode will highlight the work behind the Cultivating Rurality: Building Community around Rural Research Symposium, which officially kicks off this Thursday and Friday!
Featured guests: Brian Kaskie and Brandi Janssen, The University of Iowa College of Public Health; Duhita Mahatmya, The University of Iowa College of Education; and Daria Fisher Page, The University of Iowa College of Law (Symposium Co-Director).
Tune in to listen:

River to River is a conversation about the news — from an Iowa perspective. Together, we dig into the story behind the headlines, talking with newsmakers and experts to find out how the news affects you. Ben Kieffer hosts this national award-winning program, which takes on challenging topics, expl...