UC Santa Barbara

06/01/2026

Following the inauguration of UC Santa Barbara Chancellor Dennis Assanis, the campus hosted an academic symposium that highlighted breakthroughs and innovations by researchers across disciplines.

Speakers included Materials Research Lab Director Ram Seshadri, resource economist Christopher Costello, chemical engineer Michelle O’Malley, physics professor and Eddleman Quantum Institute Director David Weld, Chicana and Chicano Studies department chair Dolores Inés Casillas, English professor Alan Liu, cell biologist Denise Montell, and Professor of School Psychology and Graduate Division Dean Janine Jones.

Full story: https://ow.ly/7OXH50Z6i8F

05/31/2026

's Victoria Houser examines purity culture in a new edited collection of essays.

Contributors explore how high-control religious environments impacted experiences navigating sexuality, gender, race, disability, and bodily autonomy.

"One of the big takeaways is that we want our readers to feel seen and understood and heard," Houser said. "These experiences were not niche. They were really far more widespread than most people even know."

Full story:

Through critical autoethnography and personal narrative, the collection reframes religious trauma not only as a theological or psychological issue,...

05/29/2026

UC Santa Barbara physics professor David Weld has been selected for Caltech’s 2026 National Brown Investigator Awards 🏆

An atomic physicist who studies quantum dynamical phenomena using ultracold quantum degenerate gases, Weld will receive up to $2 million over five years.

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UCSB atomic physicist David Weld is one of the 2026 National Brown Investigators

05/28/2026

The excitement is real and we’re so proud of all the future students! Check your UCSB applicant portal. And if you’re a transfer student, don’t forget to accept your offer by June 1.

Thank you to everyone who shared their videos with us including .and.jaimes, .islost TT: itsally_lol, iluvlucc, notaidanbaz, barrehlpr24, xo.leiyahh

05/28/2026

California dignitaries and scholars from across the country filled the Lobero Theatre on May 27 for the inauguration of UC Santa Barbara Chancellor Dennis Assanis.

The ceremony included elected officials, the University of California Board of Regents, student and staff leaders, and members of UCSB’s Academic Senate and Assanis’s executive leadership team, plus friends and colleagues.

"Let me be very clear—our commitment to inclusive excellence will play a key role in making everything we do at UC Santa Barbara possible," Assanis said to a round of applause during his address.

Full story: https://ow.ly/CFc850Z5iPy

05/27/2026

In an occasion not seen in the community for more than three decades, UC Santa Barbara Chancellor Dennis Assanis will be formally inaugurated beginning at 10 a.m. today, May 27. Tune in to the livestream: https://ow.ly/imZg50Z4vYW

Born and raised in Athens, Greece, Chancellor Assanis earned his bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering from Newcastle University in England. At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he earned three master’s degrees—Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Management—and a Ph.D. in Power and Propulsion.

Assanis is the university’s sixth chancellor and its first new leader in 31 years. As chancellor of UC Santa Barbara, Dr. Assanis is responsible for shaping the university’s long-term strategy and guiding the university in its teaching, research and service mission.

05/26/2026

When COVID-19 lockdown policies went into effect, they changed the way humans moved around, which gave a research team including scientists a rare opportunity to separate the effects that landscape modification, versus human presence, have on animal movements 🐾

Scientists at UC Santa Barbara, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and Yale University analyzed GPS tracking data from 37 animal species to observe how 4,581 animals responded to being in a human-built environment with little to no human movement.

This research helps to gain a deeper understanding of the effect humans have on animals and gives scientists insight into the importance of species-based conservation techniques.

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Humans have complicated effects on wildlife, from our physical presence to how we reshape habitats. Understand our full impact requires information...

05/21/2026

Throwback to in 2001 💙 See anyone you know?

05/21/2026

A new UC Santa Barbara program aims to meet a growing need among students: support for managing stress and anxiety in everyday life.

Launched this winter, "Art of Wellness" combines meditation, creative exercises and informal community-building in a series of workshops open to all students.

"I’m trying to provide a new tool, an interdisciplinary space, and an experience that doesn’t cost them any money,” said France Winddance Twine, who leads the program. "That just creates a little sanctuary moment."

Full story:

Launched this winter, “Art of Wellness” combines meditation, creative exercises and informal community-building in a series of workshops open to...

05/20/2026

Researchers from 's Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory have unveiled new technology in their ongoing efforts to prevent whales and oceangoing vessels from colliding in and near the busy San Francisco Bay 🐋

Designed by BOSL researchers in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard’s Vessel Traffic Service, and whale experts at The Marine Mammal Center, the system employs thermal cameras coupled with AI-powered detection technology developed by WhaleSpotter. Once whales are spotted, UCSB scientists map out the detections on the Whale Safe website.

“We’re relieved to have these cameras going live during this critical moment in the gray whale season,” said BOSL scientist Rachel Rhodes, who is leading the project. "Last year was one of the deadliest on record for gray whales in the bay, with 21 dead and seven more have already died this year."

“It is heartbreaking to see these starving whales stumbling around in the middle of the hustle and bustle of San Francisco Bay,” said BOSL director, Professor Douglas McCauley. "This new system will save whales’ lives."

Full story: https://ow.ly/7Fa350Z1TeB 🗺️