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Arts + Media

Two hands type on a laptop as digital images float above with the word
UF’s journalism school unveils Authentically, a new AI-powered program that reduces bias in writing
Thursday February 26, 2026
The program is simple to use, customizable and flexible, which could give it uses outside journalism
Bringing Van Gogh to life: How VR could redefine the way we experience art and culture
Wednesday January 7, 2026
Tampa crowds are currently sailing underneath Vincent van Gogh’s twinkling “Starry Night” and drifting through his golden “Wheat Fields” in the 360-degree digital art exhibition, “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.” The ongoing popularity of this award-winning attraction begs the question: Is virtual cultural tourism the new frontier in arts enrichment?
Students reporting for Gator gameday
Launching this spring, a new graduate certificate will allow UF students to explore their passion for sports media
Wednesday December 10, 2025
Last year, Jada Ross, a UF journalism major on the sports and media track, found herself on a coverage team for the 124th U.S Open. There, despite being the youngest reporter in attendance and the only woman in the group, she was given the opportunity to ask the first postgame interview question to Ludvig Åberg, a Swedish professional golfer.
Healing with creativity, UF student Alexandra Rodriguez champions the power of art in health
Wednesday November 5, 2025
Alexandra Rodriguez, M.P.H., believes that a painting, a poem or a piece of music can do more than move us — it can mend us. As a University of Florida Ph.D. student exploring how creative engagement supports mental health, she is helping lead a growing global movement that positions the arts as a vital part of living well.
Researchers Yang Feng, Ph.D., and Yuan Sun, Ph.D., discuss generative AI and advertising
Generative AI may help turn consumers into active collaborators and creators, study finds
Tuesday October 28, 2025
A recent study in the International Journal of Advertising, conducted by researchers at the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, determined that by letting people use AI tools to create images that fit a brand’s style, companies can invite customers to take part in their campaigns.
A collage of artists performing or creating
UF, partners launch new journal on the intersection of arts and health
Tuesday September 30, 2025
A new academic journal examines how the field of arts in health is shared and understood.  
A child wearing headphones sitting in front of a computer screen
‘Adolescence’ reveals the troubling impact of internet culture on youth
Monday September 22, 2025
The psychological drama "Adolescence" recently won big at the Emmys, with critics applauding its portrayal of the effects of internet culture and violent content on its protagonist, 13-year-old Jamie. As Joy Gabrielli, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Florida, points out, the effects of violent and mature content are a widespread problem among youth.
Dancers rehearsing a contemporary dance blurred out by their motion
Arts programs can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, and other leading causes of deaths, large study finds
Friday September 19, 2025
Music, dance and other arts can help address deadly non-communicable diseases.
A black and white photograph of Dean Joseph Sabatella sitting on a desk
UF's first dean of arts college, Joseph Sabatella, passes away
Friday September 12, 2025
Sabatella helped found the College of the Arts in 1975.
Taylor and Travis
Why fans feel like Taylor Swift’s best friend (even if she’s never met them)
Wednesday August 27, 2025
When Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement on Instagram this week, the post wasn’t just news; it was an event fans felt personally invested in. The photos of Swift showing off her new ring, paired with the playful caption “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” didn’t just rack up millions of likes. For many fans, it felt like they were sharing the milestone with close friends.
A man reads to a toddler
Reading for pleasure in free fall: New study finds 40% drop over two decades
Thursday August 21, 2025
Daily reading for pleasure in the U.S. dropped by more than 40% over the last 20 years 
A view from a low vantage point of the front of the University of Florida's Condron Family Ballpark
Student-led creative agency to help student-athletes with NIL branding
Tuesday August 12, 2025
Two Bits Creative agency launches with support of NIL partner Florida Victorious
Love Island
‘Love Island’ isn’t real, but it might reflect the way we date
Tuesday July 15, 2025
For millions of viewers, “Love Island” has been a summer obsession – a chance to peek in on a sunny villa full of beautiful singles looking for love. But according to Andrew Selepak, Ph.D., a media professor at the University of Florida, the reality show isn’t really about romance.
Bookshelves in a library
UF librarians share their summer reading recommendations
Tuesday July 1, 2025
Summertime reading is an obvious favorite pastime for University of Florida Libraries faculty and staff. They’ve pulled together some of their favorite reads to beat the heat. 
UF Architecture Building
Designing with intention, UF senior Abbie Busch turns bold ideas into professional breakthroughs
Thursday May 15, 2025
When UF senior Abbie Busch submitted her design portfolio to the prestigious American Society of Interior Designers Student Portfolio Competition, she didn’t expect to stand out. But with a unique aesthetic, a clear sense of identity and years of refined skill building through UF’s rigorous interior design program, she was named a winner and walked away with national recognition and new career opportunities.
Sophia Abolfathi
Award-winning filmmaker Sophia Abolfathi graduates from UF with an Emmy under her belt
Tuesday April 29, 2025
An Emmy-winning filmmaker before even graduating from college, University of Florida senior Sophia Abolfathi is making a name for herself in the world of documentary storytelling.
Students participate in the Summer Creative B theatre production of
As technology evolves, UF’s new AI and the Arts Certificate gives creative students an edge
Wednesday March 26, 2025
   
Students sit at computers in a dim classroom surrounded by televisions showing the Super Bowl.
Brand Bowl brings Gen Z insights to Super Bowl ads
Monday February 10, 2025
Ads that featured strong, positive emotions and uplifting messages were among those that received the highest scores from the Gen Z focus group participating in the 7th annual Brand Bowl, a collaboration among the College of Journalism and Communication’s Department of Advertising, the Atlas Lab, and the Ad Society student organization.
A football covered in hundred dollar bills
At Super Bowl, sports betting will continue to dominate, despite addiction risks
Wednesday February 5, 2025
The meteoric rise of sports gambling apps has a darker side.
A black vinyl record in front of a stack of album covers
A band’s sophomore slump? A figment of music critics, study finds.
Tuesday December 3, 2024
Second records aren't any worse than expected.
An aerial view of the University of Florida campus at sunset
Creative forward thinkers – from digital artists to virtual producers – are built at UF’s Digital Worlds Institute
Tuesday December 3, 2024
The boundaries between design, communication, and technology are blurring to create new career possibilities in the digital age, and the Digital Worlds Institute at the University of Florida’s College of the Arts is at the forefront of this shift.
Jose Valentino Ruiz, Ph.D. holding a saxophone
UF faculty and students shine at the annual Latin GRAMMY Awards
Tuesday November 12, 2024
Jose Valentino Ruiz, Ph.D., has embarked on numerous collaborations with his University of Florida students that have led to industry accolades. The most recent feat: a nomination for Best Instrumental Album of the Year for Claude Bolling Goes Latin: Suite for Flute & Latin Music Ensemble during the 25th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards on Nov. 14 in Miami.
photo illustration of musical notes and sound board
The Conversation: Quincy Jones mastered the art of arrangement, transforming simple tunes into epic soundscapes
Monday November 4, 2024
A UF professor reflects on the career and legacy of Quincy Jones
HeART Wall
In times of disaster recovery, artists play critical roles in community rebuilding
Thursday October 31, 2024
Year-round, artists play integral roles in the recovery of communities that have suffered from natural disasters, public health emergencies, and socioeconomic plights — in Florida and beyond. Individuals in the University of Florida’s College of the Arts are exploring just how much these artists make an impact in times of crisis. 
Tom Petty performing on stage.
Honoring Tom Petty: What modern musicians can learn from his courage and creativity
Thursday October 31, 2024
Tom Petty’s legacy serves as a crucial guide for aspiring performers and entrepreneurs.
A human hand and robotic hand hover over a keyboard
People hate stories they think were written by AI. Even if they were written by people.
Tuesday October 22, 2024
AI-written stories are getting better, but people still distrust AI-generated art.
A hooded figure with graphic lines covering the image.
Untrustworthy hyperlinks on news sites are adding to the misinformation crisis
Tuesday September 17, 2024
Misinformation is spreading rapidly in the digital universe, especially during election season, and the hyperlinks found on untrustworthy news sites may be partly to blame.
Andrew Briz works on his computer in a cubicle in POLITICO's newsroom.
Blending AI and journalism, POLITICO’s Andrew Briz is transforming the newsroom
Tuesday September 17, 2024
Journalism is changing rapidly as new AI tools emerge, and Andrew Briz is at the forefront of this evolution, as the editorial director of newsroom engineering at POLITICO.
An Olympic flag in foreground with Eiffel Tower in the background
UF Olympic Games news stories
Thursday July 11, 2024
As one of the top universities for Olympic athletes and Olympic medals, the University of Florida is a leader in interdisciplinary research and experts on the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Here is a list of stories about UF's prowess at this Olympic games.
An Olympic flag in foreground with Eiffel Tower in the background
How the 1924 Paris Olympics paved the way for modern traditions
Thursday June 20, 2024
A UF researcher explains how the century-old Olympics catapulted the Games into the future 
A baby being held up to the sky with
Snap decisions: Posting about your kids on social media? Here’s how to protect their privacy
Monday December 18, 2023
UF's Stacey Steinberg is an expert on sharenting — the term coined for posting about your kids online. She recognizes the benefits and risks of posting content about kids and wants families to understand them, too.
photo illustration of human finger touching digital finger
Strategic funding supports Digital Humanities Lab
Friday December 15, 2023
The Digital Humanities Lab at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will create a physical and virtual hub for humanities researchers who work with big data, augmented reality, and digital storytelling tools
dancers on a stage
New funding will foster opportunities to showcase UF's premier arts program
Thursday November 16, 2023
Two projects led by the College of the Arts received awards totaling just over $1 million in the latest round of strategic funding projects from the University of Florida President’s Office.  
graphic logo for field guide
UF AIM releases 'Arts on Prescription'
Friday September 8, 2023
New field guide offers roadmap for "prescribing" creative activities to help improve a patient's well-being
A man in black and white and a woman in all pink.
UF experts discuss 'Barbenheimer'
Monday July 24, 2023
UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences' Sean P Adams and Jillian Hernandez discuss the cultural context of 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer,' through their work, legacy, and of course... the perfect viewing order.
world cup logo
FIFA Women's World Cup 2023
Monday July 24, 2023
University of Florida faculty provide expertise and insight during FIFA Women's World Cup
Headshot of a professor
School of Music professor bestowed with international recognition
Tuesday July 18, 2023
Mitchell Estrin, professor of clarinet in the School of Music, recently received Honorary Membership to the International Clarinet Association recognizing his accomplished career as a musician and educator.
We can’t overestimate the power of representation in reboots
Wednesday June 28, 2023
From a Mexican immigrant reinterpretation of Party of Five to a Black reimagining of The Wonder Years, representation in reboots has boomed in the past three years.
Shows like 'Succession' tap into our deepest desires for escapism
Sunday June 4, 2023
What is it about 'Succession' that fascinates people so intensely? And why is the psychological chatter about the narrative gripping the minds of millions of viewers?
A graphic of Tom Petty in red and gold.
UF confers honorary Doctor of Music degree on Tom Petty
Thursday May 11, 2023
In honor of the occasion, the Tom Petty family has established a powerful endowment to expand the guitar program and the music business & entrepreneurship program in the UF School of Music.
When Beyoncé speaks her truth, aspiring musicians tune in and take notes
Wednesday May 10, 2023
Beyonce's Renaissance World Tour kicked off on May 10, not long after the singer-songwriter was named the highest Grammy award winner in music history. 
May the 4th - Star Wars Day
How our shared need for belonging made May the 4th a sacred Star Wars holiday
Tuesday May 2, 2023
May the 4th is almost a religious holiday for Star Wars fans, when they make annual pilgrimages to re-released films in theaters, attend costumed conventions and plan themed parties.
Bad Bunny
Coachella proves what one UF professor predicted: Latin music is the future of mega-festivals
Tuesday April 18, 2023
Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny has reaffirmed what industry pros have intuited for years: Latin music is what the masses want.
Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn
Why Taylor Swift’s breakup feels like our breakup too, according to a UF media professor
Thursday April 13, 2023
Swifties had their emotional universe upended on Saturday after learning that the singer-songwriter had broken up with boyfriend Joe Alwyn of six years.
UFC Match
Need a healthy testosterone boost? Attend a live UFC event, a UF sports professor says
Tuesday April 11, 2023
What is behind the primal human craving that one Florida sports professor describes as “aggression-seeking desire,” and why do events like live UFC matches quench it for spectators?
WrestleMania
The most successful WrestleMania of all time? Florida sports professors saw it coming
Tuesday April 4, 2023
Over the weekend, WrestleMania 39 became the highest-grossing and most successful event in the history of WWE, with more than 500 million views in two days.
Facebook phone app
The four factors that fuel disinformation among Facebook ads
Wednesday March 8, 2023
Before and after the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Russia’s Internet Research Agency purchased tens of thousands of Facebook ads in an effort to stoke division among Americans.
People on a couch watching a sporting event
UF advertising expert answers questions about cultural phenomenon that are Super Bowl ads
Thursday February 9, 2023
When it comes to advertising, there’s nothing bigger than the Super Bowl. Advertising expert Daniel Windels shares his insight 
$2 million award supports blockchain research at UF
Monday October 10, 2022
The Algorand Foundation will support innovative work in the College of the Arts
Here's why your health care provider may tell you to go take a hike
Tuesday September 27, 2022
Social prescribing allows care providers to connect patients to a broad range of social, physical and cultural services in their communities that may help boost their health and wellbeing. In this episode, Jill Sonke of the Center for Arts in Medicine at UF and Christopher Bailey, arts and health lead at the World Health Organization talk about this approach to good health.
Two students talk over an open laptop
My tutor is an AI: UF researchers seek out if AI tutors are as effective as human ones
Tuesday August 16, 2022
A study done by researchers from UF's College of Journalism and Coummunications examined high versus low student involvement learning, and compared AI versus human tutor types and how that affected students’ perception of tutor writing skills.
A band plays in an auditorium.
How UF is bringing piano recitals into the 21st century
Tuesday June 28, 2022
The UF School of Music held its annual International Piano Festival while debuting its new piano, a Yamaha Disklavier.
A man plays with an infant child
What Florida researchers learned about how new fathers respond to "Dadvertising"
Wednesday June 15, 2022
Stay-at-home dads are more common than ever before. Because of fathers’ changing roles in the household, advertisers are shifting how they market their products to this target audience. Does it work?
A graphic of a woman reading a book with a chalkboard in the background that depicts iconic items of fictional characters, such as a starred tiara and a glass slipper.
Here’s why you got attached to your favorite fictional character
Thursday May 12, 2022
Have you ever developed an emotional attachment to a fictional character in a book or movie? This study reveals how that happens and why.
A woman uses an augmented reality art installation.
Using AI in the arts to promote COVID-19 vaccines
Monday April 11, 2022
The Covid Reflections installation is one of seven projects funded by the Arts for UF Vaccine Confidence Program, an initiative sponsored by UF’s College of Arts’ Center for Arts in Medicine.
Focal point: a laptop with over a dozen stickers. A student works in the background.
What your laptop stickers say about you
Wednesday March 2, 2022
Students use laptops as social billboards. They can also help others reliably pick up on aspects of a person’s personality solely based on the stickers of their laptops.
A graphic depicts for male musicians holding guitars
5 lessons on teamwork as inspired by The Beatles
Monday January 10, 2022
While The Beatles are globally regarded as one of the most successful and influential bands of all time, five business lessons can be learned from observing their creative and innovative process unfold during rehearsals — lessons that can be applied to all work settings, regardless of the discipline.
A stock image of a woman sipping on a drink while staring at a her phone with a stunned look.
UF study finds ‘doomscrolling’ is a unique behavior
Monday January 10, 2022
A new University of Florida study has found that doomscrolling — a term used to describe the concept of binging on negative news — is a new and unique behavior, and not just another trendy, clickbaity phrase. 
An illustration of three people listening to music on individual music players
'Tis the season for wrapped playlists — how much did AI affect your listening?
Tuesday November 30, 2021
Social media is about to be flooded with end-of-year wrapped playlists shared with some variation of feigned embarrassment-slash-pride in an elevated, cultivated sense of musical taste. But who is actually cultivating your music taste?
scary stress cloud drifts to the right where it encounters a speaker blasting music. The music turns the scary stress cloud into a beautiful rainbow with music notes.
6 tips to tap into the stress-busting power of music
Monday August 30, 2021
An arts-in-medicine expert's tips on how to use music to relieve stress. 
Theatre Connect spring 2020 season cast and crew.
How theatre programs can build community and affirmation for LGBTQ+ youth
Thursday July 1, 2021
UF Health Shands Arts in Medicine, Center for Arts in Medicine, and College of Education uniquely partner to create safe spaces for youth in Theatre Connect program
A collection of vape pens stand on display at a store.
Vaping and Instagram: A content analysis of e-Cigarette posts targeted at young adults
Tuesday June 15, 2021
Social media has become a major channel for promoting vaping and vaping devices, but little is known about the characteristics of these promotional social media posts. A new study by University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications sheds some light on how vaping is being promoted.
an icon of a lone female reporter with a microphone, heart and see of men
On-screen stereotypes of female journalists feed a “vicious cycle” of sexism
Thursday June 10, 2021
Fictional female journalists in TV and movies have a bad habit: sleeping with their sources. The stereotype can have real-life consequences.
Emilio Bruna is the first scientist on Cameo. Here is a screenshot of his listing. As of June 2021 he is the only scientist on Cameo, and also the best.
Actors. Athletes. Scientists?
Wednesday June 9, 2021
A UF professor partners with the video message platform Cameo to demystify science and the people who do it. 
Voice-assisted AI is becoming smarter, but consumers have higher expectations
Tuesday May 18, 2021
In comparing AI to humans, “(Participants) think of AI as smart and intelligent but not as sophisticated or complicated enough. Even though they communicate and interact with AI, they still don’t think AI can do complicated or sophisticated tasks. They think human beings still need to do that kind of task.”
UF Public Relations Associate Professor Rita Men
Rita Men explores the use of AI-driven chatbots for public relations
Thursday April 22, 2021
In a two-stage study, Men and her colleagues reviewed the list of companies on the Fortune 100 list and then went to Facebook to see which ones had chatbots. “We tested them and rated them on a scale of 1 to 3” to find the five that performed well in different industries. 
Kamala Harris speaks in front of an American Flag. Image “Kamala Harris” by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
“I am speaking.” 2020 VP Nominee Kamala Harris’ impact of Black feminism as social influencers on Twitter
Friday April 2, 2021
Researchers at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications created a lens through which future researchers and the public may better understand the redefinition of Black women in both social media and politics, as well as understand the broader issue of oppression among all marginalized, less mainstream communities.
Noel Vernelle poses for a portrait
Using AI to highlight Black creativity around the world
Tuesday February 23, 2021
Vernelle Noel’s passion for Carnival, along with her talents as the founding director of UF’s Situated Computation & Design Lab, won her a grant from the Mozilla Foundation to train a machine learning model to recognize dancing sculptures and costumes from the Trinidad Carnival.
A picture of Dr. Patricia Hilliard-Nunn
The Dr. Patricia Hilliard-Nunn Black film & film literature collection
Tuesday February 16, 2021
The George A. Smathers Libraries are dedicating a legacy collection of Black film & film literature to memory of the late Dr. Patricia Hilliard-Nunn.
An image from the UF libraries Catawba Collection
UF to receive funding for Native American oral history collections
Thursday February 11, 2021
The University of Florida received funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF) as part of its Doris Duke Native Oral History Revitalization Project, an initiative to increase access to, use of, and visibility of the Doris Duke Native American Oral History Collections.
A portrait of Sam and Robbie Vickers in front of a gallery wall in their home. The Vickers donated a large collection of Florida paintings to the Harn Museum.
Extensive Florida art collection gifted to the University of Florida
Wednesday February 3, 2021
The estimated 1,200 works of art from Sam and Robbie Vickers depict state’s environment, people and history; includes paintings by Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent and Thomas Moran
UF School of Theatre and Dance Assistant Professor Monika Gossmann stars alongside Hollywood actors Gary Oldman, Lily Collins, Amanda Seyfried, and Tom Pelphrey in the new biographical drama Mank
UF professor is coming to Netflix
Wednesday December 2, 2020
UF School of Theatre and Dance Assistant Professor Monika Gossmann stars alongside Hollywood actors Gary Oldman, Lily Collins, Amanda Seyfried, and Tom Pelphrey in the new biographical drama Mank.
Professor Jose Valentino Ruiz holds a flute in a concert venue at the University of Florida
Grammy-winning UF professor scores another nomination
Friday October 9, 2020
José Valentino Ruiz, who won a Latin Grammy last year, has been nominated for Best Classical Contemporary Composition.

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