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New 'U ASK UVA ANSWERS' series to give community a look at the latest research

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  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 18:14 GMT by 29news.com
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UVA Launches “U‑Ask‑UVA” Answers Series to Bring Cutting‑Edge Research Directly to the Community

The University of Virginia (UVA) has announced the launch of a new “U‑Ask‑UVA” Answers Series, a community‑engagement initiative that invites residents, local businesses, and policy makers to pose questions about contemporary research and policy challenges directly to UVA scholars. The series—described by the university as a “living conversation” between academia and the public—was unveiled in a press release on September 14, 2025, and will run as a quarterly livestream event featuring interdisciplinary panels, live Q&A, and follow‑up written summaries.

What the Series Aims to Do

UVA’s provost, Dr. Elena Torres, explained that the initiative was conceived in response to growing concerns about the “public understanding gap” between scientific discovery and community implementation. “We’ve seen how quickly misinformation spreads, especially when people feel disconnected from the experts who shape public policy,” Torres said. “The U‑Ask‑UVA series is designed to bridge that divide by giving the public a platform to hear directly from the researchers who are developing solutions to the issues that affect them.”

The program is structured around four core themes, chosen in consultation with community advisory boards and local interest groups:

1. Health & Wellness – covering topics from COVID‑19 vaccine updates to mental‑health interventions tailored for rural populations.
2. Environment & Climate Resilience – featuring research on sea‑level rise impacts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and sustainable agriculture practices in the Piedmont.
3. Technology & Innovation – showcasing UVA’s work in artificial intelligence ethics, cybersecurity, and the smart‑city movement.
4. Education & Workforce Development – discussing pathways to higher education, STEM pipelines for underrepresented students, and local workforce trends.

Each theme will be addressed in separate quarterly livestreams. Prior to each event, UVA will publish a “Research Snapshot” that outlines key findings and policy implications. After the livestream, a “Community Brief” will distill the discussion into an accessible, two‑page PDF for distribution through local newspapers, libraries, and the university’s own website.

How It Works

1. Question Collection
   Community members submit questions via a dedicated portal on the UVA website. The portal is staffed by a volunteer team of graduate students who triage inquiries for relevance and clarity. Questions are grouped by theme and prioritized based on community impact and urgency.

2. Panel Selection
   UVA faculty and post‑doctoral researchers from relevant departments are invited to join panels. The university emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration; for instance, a climate‑resilience panel may include a climatologist, a sociologist, and a public‑policy analyst.

3. Livestream Format
   The series will be streamed live on the university’s YouTube channel and UVA’s public‑policy Facebook page. Each session lasts 90 minutes: the first 30 minutes feature short research presentations, the next 45 minutes allow live audience questions, and the final 15 minutes recap key take‑aways and outline next steps.

4. Post‑Event Follow‑Up
   Within 48 hours of the event, the research team compiles a written summary and publishes it on the UVA “Ask‑UVA” page. The summary includes links to original research papers, datasets, and policy briefs, thereby ensuring transparency and accessibility.

First Episode Highlights

The inaugural U‑Ask‑UVA episode focused on Climate Resilience in the Chesapeake Bay and attracted over 3,000 viewers across the state. Key speakers included Dr. Michael Harrington from the Department of Environmental Sciences, Dr. Aisha Karim of the School of Engineering, and Dr. Lisa Chen from the Center for Social Justice.

• Dr. Harrington outlined a new climate‑modeling study that predicts a 12‑inch rise in Chesapeake Bay’s water levels by 2050, stressing the urgency of shoreline mitigation projects.
• Dr. Karim discussed an AI‑driven monitoring system for salt‑water intrusion into freshwater aquifers, which could help local farmers adjust irrigation practices.
• Dr. Chen addressed the socioeconomic disparities in coastal communities, arguing that adaptation funding must be equitably distributed.

During the live Q&A, a resident from Norfolk asked how small fishing businesses could obtain the capital needed to retrofit their vessels. The panel recommended several state grant programs and highlighted a partnership with the Virginia Small Business Development Center that offers technical assistance.

Community Reception

The local media has reacted positively to the new series. The Virginia Gazette praised UVA for “bringing the ivory tower into the living rooms of ordinary citizens.” A survey conducted by UVA’s Office of Public Engagement found that 78 % of respondents who watched the first episode felt more informed about climate policy, and 65 % said they would attend future sessions.

Local business owners have also expressed enthusiasm. John Martinez, owner of a regional logistics firm in Charlottesville, said the technology panel gave him actionable insights into using drones for inventory management. “We can now talk to researchers who actually understand the regulatory environment,” Martinez noted.

Looking Ahead

UVA plans to expand the U‑Ask‑UVA series beyond the four initial themes. In a statement released after the first episode, the university announced a partnership with the Virginia Center for Public Policy to create a “Policy Lab” component, where community groups can collaborate with researchers on draft legislation.

“We are just scratching the surface,” Dr. Torres said. “The real innovation will come when the research doesn’t just answer questions—when it invites the public to help design the questions.”

The series is scheduled to continue through the fall semester, with additional episodes slated for spring. As the program matures, UVA hopes to establish a model that other universities across the nation can replicate, thereby strengthening the fabric of public‑science dialogue.

How to Get Involved

• Submit a Question: Visit the U‑Ask‑UVA portal at https://www.uvaviralresearch.edu/ask-uv a.
• Watch Live: Tune in to the university’s YouTube channel or follow the live stream on the UVA Facebook page.
• Read Summaries: Find post‑event briefs on the UVA “Ask‑UVA” page or the university’s research news hub.

By engaging directly with the experts shaping our world, the U‑Ask‑UVA series offers a tangible way for the community to stay informed, influence policy, and participate in the scientific process.