Obermann Center for Advanced Studies

10/05/2026

$3,000 per collaborator and two weeks of research residency at the Obermann House.

The Interdisciplinary Research Grant has helped Iowa faculty across the disciplines shift their collaborative projects from talk to action. It's one of our best and most flexible funding opportunities for scholars on campus. Apply by October 7, 2026.

Details, dates, and past recipients can be found on our website:
https://obermann.uiowa.edu/interdisciplinary-research-grants

University of Iowa - Department of English
University of Iowa College of Engineering
The University of Iowa College of Education
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa
Carver College of Medicine

09/30/2026

We hope our friends, old and new, will gather to help us celebrate Professor Stephanie Miracle (Dance), recipient of the 2026 Obermann Interdisciplinary Achievement Award.

Professor Miracle will appear in conversation with Professor Deema Totah (Engineering) and Professor Eric Gidal (English).

Before the conversation, a brief ensemble performance will feature Bea Beaman and Trinity Wood (Dance) and robotics built by Professor Totah's lab, with music by Professor Jean-Francois Charles (Music) and graduate student Soheil Zarrinpour (Music). The event is free and open to all. We'll see you there.

University of Iowa College of Engineering
University of Iowa - Department of English
University of Iowa School of Music
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa

09/21/2026

We got to see The Work of Reform in our Book Ends workshop program in 2022, and we're thrilled to see it out in the world now! Congratulations, Professor Rhodes! If you have a book manuscript that could benefit from a workshop with senior colleagues, consider applying for Book Ends here by September 23: https://obermann.uiowa.edu/programs/book-ends

09/21/2026

One of our most informative Editor-in-Residence events--the AMA! Do you have questions about AI and academic publishing? About the operations of a press, about proposals, or about shaping a research project into a book?

Join us with Walter Biggins, editor-in-chief of the University of Pennsylvania Press for an AMA (Ask Me Anything) at the Obermann Library.

Register here for one (or both!) sessions by September 30!

https://obermann.uiowa.edu/form/ama-biggins

09/08/2026

OCAS is pleased to welcome Walter Biggins (EIC, University of Pennsylvania Press) as our 2026 Editor-in-Residence.

We have three days of events planned for faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates during Biggins' residency. Seats will go quickly, so follow the links below to learn more, RSVP, and register!

Faculty Book Proposal Workshop:https://obermann.uiowa.edu/form/book-prop-workshop-biggins

New Faculty/Graduate Student Session:https://obermann.uiowa.edu/form/junior-faculty-and-grad-student

Undergraduate Career Session:https://obermann.uiowa.edu/form/career-session-biggins

AMA (ask me anything):https://obermann.uiowa.edu/form/ama-biggins

Public Lecture:https://obermann.uiowa.edu/form/editor-in-residence-lecture-rsvp

07/23/2026

We’re so proud of the Obermann Teaching with Writing Working Group led by Carol Severino and Deirdre Egan, whose thoughtful, persistent work over the past several years helped lay the groundwork for this milestone. BRAVO! 🎉💐🎉🎈🎉

The University of Iowa Writing Center

The University of Iowa is building on its longstanding excellence in teaching writing and communication with the launch of a new Writing Enriched Curriculum (WEC) pilot program this fall in the Department of Anthropology and the Department of History. The pilot aims to create a model that can expand...

05/12/2026

Looking for a dedicated, cozy space to tackle your academic writing projects this summer?
Apply to the Summer 2026 Obermann Writing Groups! We offer companionship, accountability, and a supportive community for University of Iowa artists, scholars, and researchers. Sessions include brief check-ins, goal setting, and sustained writing time. Open to everyone in the UI academic community!

🗓️ Dates: From June 1 to July 24
📍 Location: Obermann Center for Advanced Studies, 111 Church St
⏰ Times (choose one):
• Mondays, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Applications are due Friday, May 22, by 5:00 p.m.
Apply here: https://obermann.uiowa.edu/form/wcsummer26

04/25/2026

We are thrilled to share the keynote by Andy Mink (Smithsonian Institute) from our recent symposium, 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡. While life in rural America may look different than in exurban and urban areas, it is a mistake to assume that the structures in rural areas are not as effective at building and maintaining thriving communities.

Watch the full lecture:

2 likes. ""More than 'Not Urban': Serving Rural Communities as Places and as People""

04/22/2026

We’re thrilled to welcome the 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐭 to the Obermann Center on Friday, May 1! They will present a dynamic program featuring works by Beethoven and Smetana, alongside a contemporary piece by UI faculty member Sam Young. Refreshments will be provided!
This event is free, but seating is limited. 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐒𝐕𝐏 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲!
You must reserve your spot in advance. Please RSVP by April 24th at 5:00 p.m. to secure your seat.
📅 Friday, May 1 | 6:30 p.m.
📍 Obermann Center (111 Church St., Iowa City)
🔗 RSVP Here: https://obermann.uiowa.edu/form/string-quartet-may-1st-2026 (Reminder: RSVP is required!)

Join us for a festive evening of live music as the Obermann Center welcomes an outstanding UI string quartet for your enjoyment!

04/14/2026

Congratulations to Stephanie Miracle, assistant professor of dance at the University of Iowa Department of Dance , the recipient of our inaugural 𝐎𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝! From collaborating with robotics engineers to environmental researchers, her work proves that the most transformative ideas emerge where disciplines intersect.
We look forward to her public dialogue at our annual Counterpoint event this October.
Learn more:

We’re pleased to announce that our Advisory Board has named Stephanie Miracle, assistant professor of dance, the recipient of the inaugural Obermann Interdisciplinary Achievement Award. The new award recognizes scholars who cross disciplinary boundaries to produce insights not possible within a