Research Road Trip to Council Grove

It was a perfect day for a road trip.

With blue skies above and a slight chill in the air, dozens of Kansas scientists, students, and staff made the trek to Council Grove on October 19 for the 2026 ARISE Fall Science Meeting. They gathered to strengthen partnerships and plan research activities for the project’s final year.

The day began with a visit to the Sacred Red Rock, which made a similar journey last year when it was returned to the Kaw Nation from the City of Lawrence. Now it rests in the Allegawaho Memorial Heritage Park near Council Grove. 

The early morning excursion offered a chance to learn about the region's history and reflect on the connections between people, place, and resilience, themes that resonate strongly with ARISE's mission.

The team then gathered at the Territory Ballroom in historic downtown Council Grove, a rural town of roughly 2,100 people in the Flint Hills of eastern Kansas. Researchers across all four core themes attended the event, uniting three universities: Kansas State University, University of Kansas, and Wichita State University.

Participants met within their individual thematic groups to discuss ongoing projects, priorities, and goals for the coming semester. Their conversations identified opportunities to advance scientific discoveries while also supporting broader community needs.

A highlight of the meeting was a panel discussion with local leaders Nick Jones, City Administrator for Council Grove, and Brett Samuels, Morris County Emergency Manager. KU Research Project Manager Adrian McConnell facilitated the conversation, which focused on community resilience and long-term planning. The discussion underscored the value of submitting grants—with unwavering persistence—to invest in local infrastructure.

After lunch, the focus shifted toward cross-theme collaboration. The meeting concluded by discussing future funding opportunities, publications, and new interdisciplinary initiatives.

As participants departed Council Grove, they left with renewed momentum and a shared vision for the work ahead, grounded in collaboration and community engagement.

Learn more about ARISE, a major 5-year investment in Kansas by the U.S. National Science Foundation Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and the Kansas Board of Regents.

Photos by: Alej Martinez and Doug Byers