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Government + Society

Former Florida Senator Bill Nelson in a NASA jacket speaks at an event
Universities, NASA and space companies meet to discuss the future of Florida’s space ecosystem
Friday April 24, 2026
Nearly 200 university researchers and representatives of the space industry gathered Tuesday at the Kennedy Space Center to launch the next phase of the Florida Space Research Consortium.
Hotel lobby featuring wrap-around banner stating Shaping the Future
AI² Summit highlights urgency, opportunity of AI in higher education
Monday April 6, 2026
The four-day summit featured expert-led sessions, hands-on workshops and collaborative discussions designed to help institutions move from early experimentation to meaningful integration of AI across campuses.
From classroom to Capitol Hill, UF students help shape health policy
Wednesday April 1, 2026
On any given day in the halls of Congress, Ryan Athay may meet with health advocates, research complex policy issues or help write legislation that could impact millions of lives.
Scales of justice on a table in a courtroom
Legal jargon increases guilty verdicts, reduces trust in judicial system
Thursday March 19, 2026
Using simpler language throughout the judicial system could improve outcomes
A computer screen showing face-altering technology
Machines spot deepfake pictures better than humans, but people outperform AI in detecting deepfake videos
Wednesday February 25, 2026
As deepfakes continue to improve and spread widely online, distinguishing real from AI imagery becomes more important.
A stock image of light poles on a bridge.
Why light poles failed in Hurricane Ian despite meeting design standards
Wednesday February 4, 2026
When Hurricane Ian moved across Florida in 2022, several aluminum light poles on a Central Florida bridge collapsed or cracked, even though wind speeds remained below the structures’ design limits. A new University of Florida study reveals how hidden flaws in design and installation contributed to their unexpected collapse.
A hooded hacker sitting behind a laptop with the word
Award-winning UF team targets nonconsensual nude photo apps to protect privacy
Monday January 5, 2026
Privacy-focused researchers are working with government, universities to combat nefarious AI platforms.
A hand holding up a phone with the logo of the National Science Foundation on it
Support for scientific funding doesn’t have to be partisan — but scientists must make the case, says new study
Friday December 19, 2025
Distrust of elites, not partisanship, best predicted people's support for cutting scientific funding.
An image of an American flag.
New civics program to connect teachers with founding documents ahead of America’s 250th 
Monday October 6, 2025
The University of Florida’s Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education, in partnership with the Center for Civic Education, announces the launch of Documents of Democracy: Lessons in Liberty for We the People. 
Image of a bridge collapse.
To help prevent bridge collapses, UF researchers use AI-based digital twin technology
Thursday March 20, 2025
New AI-based digital twin research at the University of Florida enables real-time monitoring and efficient decision making related to the maintenance, operation and management of bridges. 
A researcher presents findings to a group.
Researchers work to reduce excessive noise in Florida cities
Wednesday March 19, 2025
Excessive noise, or noise pollution, in cities has been linked in multiple studies to increased stress, sleep disturbances, and long-term health problems.
George A. Smathers Libraries
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio has agreed to deposit political papers to UF Libraries
Monday February 24, 2025
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has agreed to deposit his senatorial papers and other materials of historical value to the University of Florida’s George A. Smathers Libraries political papers collection.
A photo of the Century Tower on campus.
Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education announces the launch of the Robert M. Beren Program on Jewish Classical Education
Wednesday February 12, 2025
In partnership with the Rosenthal-Levy Scholars program, these two new initiatives are supported by a total of $15 million in generous philanthropic support from the Robert M. Beren Family Foundation, Gary and Lee Rosenthal, and Paul and Karen Levy.
A collage of people of different ages smiling and laughing
How political leanings affect happiness
Wednesday September 18, 2024
Different aspects of "the good life" are associated with both conservatism and liberalism.
people behind voting booths with American flag in background
The hidden motive behind U.S. voters' stance on noncitizen voting
Tuesday May 21, 2024
A new study from the University of Florida exposes a driving force fueling the debate on voting rights
Former Senator Bob Graham works from his desk at Pugh Hall.
Bob Graham's Life in Pictures
Wednesday April 17, 2024
Celebrating Daniel R. ‘Bob’ Graham's life in pictures. As first a state legislator, then governor, and finally as a three-term U.S. Senator, Graham had a role in nearly every major public policy issue in modern Florida’s history.
Former Sen. Bob Graham sits on a bench before Pugh Hall at the University of Florida.
The University of Florida community celebrates the lasting legacy of Bob Graham
Wednesday April 17, 2024
It's hard to imagine anyone leaving a more profound impact on the state of Florida than Daniel Robert 'Bob' Graham, whose influence is woven into the very fabric of our state.
Army officer explains vehicle camouflage
Engineering students solve soldiers’ problem at lightning speed
Monday April 8, 2024
UF mechanical engineering students 'strike gold' with their design of a device to help soldiers on the battlefield camouflage vehicles easier and faster 
Veterans Legal Services
UF law students provide legal assistance for veterans
Wednesday February 28, 2024
The staff at the Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic at UF is committed to helping students make an impact.
A voting center with an American flag hanging on the wall in the background, three voters obscured behind privacy screens and a line of people waiting to vote in the foreground
How UF is combatting AI misinformation in elections
Monday February 12, 2024
A UF media expert breaks down the problems posed by AI deepfakes during election season
Researchers aim to de-escalate tensions with law enforcement, citizens
Monday August 7, 2023
UF researchers are testing a mobile application aimed at easing tensions during traffic stops between drivers and law enforcement.
A stock image of voters in a polling location.
Longer ballots reduce voter participation, study shows
Thursday June 22, 2023
When it comes time to vote, you may think having more candidate options is better. But that’s not necessarily the case.
A headshot of University of Florida Law Professor Jiaying Jiang.
Ally or enemy? When it comes to the legal profession, GPT-4 may be a little of both 
Tuesday May 2, 2023
UF Law Professor Jiaying Jiang says legal inaccuracies generated by language models could make attorneys liable for the mistakes.
Downtown Cleveland streets at dusk with car headlights and taillights shown in timelapse
Car crashes spike after professional sports events. The data can help cities become safer.
Monday March 20, 2023
Data from Cleveland shows car crashes increase near sports venues, hotspots for traffic calming.
A statue of Mary McLeod Bethune
Historic first as Mary McLeod Bethune statue installed at the U.S. Capitol
Wednesday July 13, 2022
Mary McLeod Bethune, an educator and civil rights activist, is the first Black person selected by a state for National Statuary Hall.
A portrait of a man
UF engineering research team receives high distinction for delivering first of a kind Department of Defense Solution
Thursday February 17, 2022
A team of UF researchers was presented the Air Force Research Laboratory Corporate Award in the category of External Support by the organization's Munitions Directorate for their exemplary technological expertise, customer service, and quick development and deployment of a secure research and collaboration infrastructure and capability.
Curious about salary expectations for your major? State University System of Florida publishes new tool
Monday January 24, 2022
The Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the State University System of Florida, has published a new online tool to help students select their majors. Developed at the direction of the Florida Legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis, the website provides important information to students and their families. 
Students wearing asks cross through Turlington Plaza
COVID-19 Reflections: A year of change
Thursday March 4, 2021
To reflect on that change and see just how far we’ve come, we’re looking back on our journey — to honor loved ones we’ve lost, celebrate our front-line heroes and prepare for the continued trek ahead until the virus is defeated
A drawing of a police hat and badge in a child's notebook
Do school police make students feel safer?
Wednesday February 10, 2021
Nationally, armed school resource officers (SROs) are part of many students’ daily experience. In Florida, state law even requires armed personnel in schools for the protection of students. Amid a national conversation on policing following the killing of George Floyd, though, how can policymakers also ensure students feel safe at school?
A photo of a magnifying glass magnifying a decreasing unemployment trend graph
A federal layoff law proposal inspired by COVID times
Tuesday February 2, 2021
UF law professor Rachel Arnow-Richman proposes a new framework for federal layoff laws that would require universal severance pay and create a temporary termination status for those who are unemployed due to economic downturn as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A napkin with a donkey and a napkin with an elephant sit on a dinner table
A political disagreement expert’s advice for the holidays
Friday December 18, 2020
Here's how to keep discussions productive.
Jim Liversidge holds up prop campaign signs reading
From cue cards to river water, Bob Hope saved it. Now it's UF's turn.
Thursday December 10, 2020
A trove of memorabilia from the entertainer’s 80-year career is enshrined in the Popular Culture Collections at the University of Florida’s George A. Smathers Libraries, where it will be cataloged and made available for students, researchers and the public.
UF professor invents system to maintain social distancing while voting
Wednesday August 5, 2020
After identifying the concerns of sending thousands to the polls during a pandemic, Juan Gilbert started working on an easy-to-use system that allows poll workers to hand out tickets to voters waiting in line. 
Professor Sharon Austin stands in front of Walker Hall at UF
Political scientist: Black women will play key role in 2020 election
Monday July 27, 2020
Long a driving force in social and political movements, Black women will play a more visible role in the 2020 presidential election, says University of Florida political scientist Dr. Sharon Austin.
aerial shot of century tower and university auditorium
UF Racial Justice Research Fund established to support scholarship on the Black experience
Thursday July 23, 2020
The University of Florida has committed $400,000 toward a Racial Justice Research Fund to support research and scholarship that will inform understanding of the Black experience, racial justice, diversity, equity and inclusion on campus and beyond.
An underwater photo of a Florida spring
UF professor provides expert opinion in U.S. Supreme Court case on the Clean Water Act
Thursday July 2, 2020
In the case presented, the County of Maui was being sued by environmental groups in Hawaii for pumping treated sewage into the ground, where about 90% of it reached the Pacific Ocean, threatening marine ecosystems. 

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