KITP in the News

Included here are mentions of KITP research or researchers in various publications, as well as other scientific highlights of the KITP year.

Know of any articles we've missed? Contact the KITP Chief Administrative Officer.

2026

Astrophysicist and Ohio State alumnus awarded Joseph Sullivant Medal; Ohio State News
Three UCSB professors elected as members of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences; The Current
UCSB’s David Gross wins Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics; The Current

2025

Boris Shraiman points a physicist’s eye on biological quandaries; The Current
A rewarding dissertation on the strong nuclear force; The Current
A Stellar Revolution: How Open-Source Tool MESA Changed the Way We Study Stars; Simons Foundation
The Joseph Polchinski Papers: A Legacy of Theoretical Physics; UC Santa Barbara Library

2024

The ‘Beautiful Confusion’ of the First Billion Years Comes Into View; Quanta Magazine
Physicists work toward theory to describe pattern formation in conserved fields; The Current
Controlling the chaos of active fluids; The Current
Physicists gather to remember the father of quantum cosmology; The Current

2023

2022

Enhancing Research; The Current
A Flicker From the Dark; The Current
A Deepening Crisis Forces Physicists to Rethink Structure of Nature’s Laws; Quanta Magazine
Quantum Zeta Epiphany; The Current

2021

The Art of Doing Science; The Current
KITP on Campus; The Current
Mixing Massive Stars; The Current
An Accidental Astrophysicist; The Current

2020

Coming Together, Virtually; The Current
An Artistic Dimension; The Current
A* Model; The Current
A Stellar Physicist; The Current
On the Hunt for Gravitons; The Current
A Massive Star’s Dying Breaths; The Current

2019

The measurements of the expansion of the universe don't add up; Phys.org
A Flash and a Shudder; The Current
John Robert Schrieffer (1931−2019) Codiscoverer of the theory of superconductivity; Science
Galactic archaeology with Gaia; Science
Cosmologists Debate How Fast the Universe Is Expanding; Quanta Magazine
Debate intensifies over speed of expanding universe; Science
A Look Into UCSB’s Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics; The Bottom Line
At the Frontiers of Physics; The Current
Comet-Enabled Simulations Showcase Black Holes And Their Magnetic Bubbles; Newswise
Unleashing the Atom; The Current
The Standard Siren; The Current
Seizing Opportunity; The Current
How ‘magic angle’ graphene is stirring up physics; Nature 565, 15-18

2018

Shedding New Light on Luminous Blue Variable Stars; The National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center
Internet-connected Telescopes at Las Cumbres Observatory Allow for Celestial Discoveries Around the Globe; The Bottom Line
Cited for Excellence; The Current
Foundations play a supporting role in basic science; Physics Today
Spinning Up a Solution for Spin Liquids; The Current
The Notorious Luminous Blue Variable Star; The Current
A New Wrinkle in Physics; The Current
A Shining Star; The Current
‘Intellect, Creativity and Commitment’; The Current

2017

Joe Polchinski’s Restless Pursuit of Quantum Gravity; Quanta Magazine
Curious Properties; The Current
Of Spins, Entanglements And Spooky Actions; The Current
A New Window On The Universe; The Current
A Star That Would Not Die; The Current
Physics Of Hearing: KITP Program Explores The Biophysics And Neurobiology Of How The Auditory System Works; The Current
Theory Institute Opens Residence Hall For Visitors; Physics Today
Lars Bildsten Receives The 2017 Dannie Heineman Prize For Astrophysics; The American Institute of Physics

2016

Breakthrough Prize; New York Times
Stellar Stimulators; The Current
Cosmic Connection; The Current
The Universe in the Heel of a Sock; The Current
Stellar Revelations; The Current
UCSB’s Kavli Institute Aims to Amplify Scientific Collaboration with Housing for Visiting Scholars; Noozhawk
Research Reunions; The Current
Colliding Black Holes Tell New Story of Stars; Quanta Magazine
Responding Rapidly to Big Discoveries; Quanta Magazine
Syracuse University professor leads study into how physics affect movement of living organisms; The Daily Orange

2015

Tissue Cartography; The Current
Magnetic Hide and Seek; The Current
A Landmark Year; The Current
A Cutting-Edge Research Tool; The Current
The Nose Knows; The Current
A Black Hole Enigma; The Current
Worlds Suited for Biology; Astronomica Mens
Going International; The Current
Nobel Laureate Discusses Cellular Research; Santa Barbara Independent
The Quantum Fabric of Space-Time; Quanta Magazine

2013

A Black Hole Mystery Wrapped in a Firewall Paradox; The New York Times
Astrophysics: Fire in the hole!; Nature, 496, 20–23

2009

Fire in the Earth System; Science, 324 - UCSB Press Release

2008

2007

Surveys of exploding stars show one size does not fit all; SCIENCE, 316
Mechanical force may determine the final size of tissues; PHYSICS TODAY
AMO Theory at the Santa Barbara Kavli Institute; Division of AMO Physics Newsletter
Answers and questions; NATURE, 447
A black hole full of answers; NATURE, 448

2006

The scaling laws of human travel; NATURE, 439
Researchers to Trace, Predict Diseases; Daily Nexus, 86
The fast show; THE ECONOMIST