Iowa’s three Regents universities are making faculty hires, launching studies, partnering with community colleges, and building industry partnerships—all in a $22 million effort to boost the state’s research capacity in renewable energy and energy utilization. The benefits to Iowa could be many: research grants, new technologies, startup companies, educational opportunities and workforce...

A unique course at the University of Iowa is giving students interested in recreation and sport business an opportunity to gain significant hands-on experience over the summer.

University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop alumna Marjorie Celona will read from her first novel, "Y," at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11, in a free reading at Prairie Lights Books in downtown Iowa City. The reading also will be streamed live on the University of Iowa Writing University website.

The University of Iowa School of Music will present a guest recital by renowned pianist Michel Benhaïem at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11, in Riverside Recital Hall on the UI campus. The performance is free and the public is welcome to attend. The program will feature works by Beethoven, Brahms, Anton Webern, and Claude Debussy.

The Center for New Music in the University of Iowa School of Music will present a free performance by the Unison Piano Duo at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, in the University Capitol Centre recital hall in downtown Iowa City.

The Center for New Music in the University of Iowa School of Music will present the annual Society of Composers Inc. Student Chapter concert at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, in Riverside Recital Hall on the UI campus. The performance, which will feature the work of numerous UI School of Music students, is free and the public is welcome.

The University of Iowa Pentacrest Museums continues its free concert series, Piano Sundays, starting Sunday, Feb. 3, in the Senate Chamber of Old Capitol Museum. The landmark event features a restored 1878 Steinway concert grand piano that has been named “Rose.”

The Get to Know series asks University of Iowa faculty and staff a few questions about their work and their outside interests. Today we visit with Mary Cohen, who administers the music education program.

UI lecturer David Gould says downtown Las Vegas is the coolest sandbox he could imagine playing in, referring to a new course he is teaching, Reimagining Downtown, with support from Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh, that will culminate in a hands-on project for UI students in Vegas.

The Department of Gender, Women's & Sexuality Studies in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences emphasizes scholarly research and social engagement.

Students in the UI Department of Theatre Arts are working with the Moving Company, a Twin Cities-based theater organization, on developing the latter's tale of modern-day poverty and isolation, set in the fantastical world of fairy tales. The fruits of their labor will be unveiled Feb. 7.

Iowa Writers’ Workshop alumnus Aaron McCollough will read from his latest book, "Underlight," at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, in a free reading at Prairie Lights Books in downtown Iowa City. The reading also will be streamed live on the University of Iowa Writing University website.