About the Reading Initiative
The Reading Initiative is a project of the Literature program in the English Department at the University of Arizona. It was formed in 2024 in response to the perceived need to study and promote reading as a crucial skill in the current moment of AI, digital technology, and short-attention media.
The Reading Initiative promotes the study and practice of reading in three main areas: research, community, and student experience. In research, the Initiative organizes grant applications for interdisciplinary research that will help us to understand the challenges and opportunities of reading today. In community, the Initiative creates and sustains public-facing projects with community partners that will help build reading communities locally and support readers of all ages. In student experience, the Initiative initiates and develops projects to address research-driven solutions for building the reading strengths of our students.
The Reading Initiative and this webpage are still in active development. For more information, contact Paul Hurh (jphurh@arizona.edu) or Johanna Skibsrud (jskibsrud@arizona.edu).
Events
The Martian Chronicles at 75
A Reading Event at Biosphere 2
An evening of live readings, performance, an artist workshop and discussion celebrating the 75th anniversary of the iconic sci-fi classic, The Martian Chronicles, by Tucson’s own Ray Bradbury.
Location: Biosphere 2
Date: April 13, 2025
Time: 2-7PM (readings 4-6pm)
Free but limited availability, reserve ticket in advance
Click for more information