Dr. Holly Hall, professor of strategic communication, co-authored two articles on artificial intelligence regulation and policy for the Public Relations Society of America’s PRsay publication. One was “Ethically Decoding Tomorrow: The Unfolding Saga of AI Regulation,” and the other was “Mastering the Machine: Creating an AI Policy for Your Organization.” Hall also was interviewed for an article on integrating AI ethics into the college curriculum for PRSA’s Strategies and Tactics.

Dr. Andrew Sweet, assistant professor of evolutionary biology, organized a symposium at the 27th International Congress of Entomology held in Kyoto, Japan. The symposium featured presentations by researchers from around the world who are focused on the biology and evolution of parasitic lice. The Congress was attended by more than 4,200 people from 82 countries and highlighted some of the latest advancements in insect science.

Mike Smith, assistant director, Procurement Services, has been selected to participate in the 2024-2025 NACUBO (National Association of College and University Business Officers) Emerging Leaders Program. Smith joins a cohort of 77 mid-level managers in higher education business and finance representing 64 higher education institutions in 31 states. The Emerging Leaders Program reflects NACUBO’s organizational priority to strengthen and diversify the chief business officer pipeline.

Dr. Virginie Rolland, professor of quantitative wildlife ecology, participated in a large collaborative project covering the distribution range of eastern bluebirds. Researchers found that bluebirds are not created equal when it comes to parasites; Southern populations do not have to deal with blowfly larvae like Northern populations do. However, all seem to have more successful nesting attempts when residents provide mealworms. Their work in Journal of Animal Ecology is online.

Dr. Cherisse Jones-Branch, professor of history, and dean, Liberal Arts and Communication, wrote the foreword for a book, From Almeda to Zilphia: Arkansas Women Who Transformed American Popular Song, which was published last week by Et Alia Press in Little Rock. The book was written by Stephen Koch, who also hosts the radio program “Arkansongs” that is broadcast Thursday afternoons on A-State’s KASU-FM.