Poet, critic, and novelist Ben Lerner, a guest of the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop, will present a free reading at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, in the Frank Conroy Reading Room of the Dey House.

The University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication launched a new class this fall—Specialized Writing and Reporting: Video Games and Communication. The class aims to teach students how to write about video games and electronic media.

Karla McGregor, a University of Iowa professor of communication sciences and disorders, comments on "brain breaks," opportunities for students to temporarily step away from class work and get active so they can return with greater energy and focus.

The School of Social Work in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will host two workshops for social workers, mental health counselors, and substance abuse professionals, as well as a Homecoming event for alumni.

University of Iowa researchers have found that self-awareness is a product of a patchwork of pathways in the brain. The research challenges an accepted theory that three regions in the brain are critical in self-awareness.

Tim Hagle, a University of Iowa associate professor of political science, comments on national political conventions. Hagle says there are benefits to having them, even if the outcome of the nominating process is a foregone conclusion.

Craig Kletzing, University of Iowa professor of astronomy, talks about how UI researchers were involved with a recent NASA mission. David Perlmutter, director of the UI School of Journalism and Mass Communication, discusses a recent trip to Turkey.

Ed Wasserman, University of Iowa psychology professor, discusses animal cognition, human invention, and intelligent design.

The University of Iowa Injury Prevention Research Center (IPRC) has received a $4.2 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure the safety of people in Iowa and the Midwest will continue for at least five more years.

Trumpeter Amy Schendel will be joined by two of her University of Iowa School of Music faculty colleagues—pianist Rene Lecuona and organist Greg Hand—and pianist Jason Sifford in a free recital at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, in the Riverside Recital Hall.

The Fall Proseminar in Cinema and Culture, a free screening and discussion series, will survey films from around the globe and along the historical trajectory of cinema.

Robin Hemley, director of the University of Iowa Nonfiction Writing Program, will read from "Reply All," his new collection of short stories, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, in Prairie Lights Books and through a live stream on the Virtual Writing University.