At Wayne State University, third-year student Kavya Ramkumar envisioned a publication that would spark conversations extending beyond a single classroom or academic discipline. That vision became reality with Audi Alteram Partem: Journal of Law, Science, and Society, an interdisciplinary, student-led publication that brings together research and ideas from fields including technology, business, law topublic policy. Founded by Ramkumar, a student in the Irvin D. Reid Honors College, the journal provides undergraduate researchers with a platform to explore complex issues through multiple academic lenses while connecting their work to broader societal challenges. As a double major in technology, information systems and analytics (TISA) and business administration in the Mike Ilitch School of Business, with a minor in law, Ramkumar said her academic experiences revealed how interconnected modern industries and real-world systems have become. “What stands out to me is how often different disciplines connect in practice, especially in today’s world,” Ramkumar said. “I kept thinking about how many interesting conversations happen in different classrooms, but don’talways have a place where they come together. This is really about bringing those perspectives into one space.” That realization inspired her to build a platform where students could explore those intersections more intentionally. Students contributing to the journal are encouraged to think critically about the broader implications of their work and how it exists within larger systems, from ethical considerations to public policy and societal impact. “Everything can be tied back to the law,” she said. “There are so many ways research connects to policy, intellectual property or social implications, even when it doesn’t seem obvious at first.” The journal released its inaugural issue in December 2025, showcasing research from seven student authors representing disciplines across Wayne State, from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to the Mike Ilitch School of Business. Designed for undergraduate students, researchers and scholars, the publication follows a biannual schedule, with one issue published after the fall semester and another after the winter semester. Ramkumar said the journal reflects the reality that many of today’s biggest challenges require collaboration across multiple fields. “A lot of the problems we’re trying to solve — whether it’s tech ethics, business strategy or legal frameworks — are connected in practice,” she said. “Understanding those connections can lead to stronger, more thoughtful solutions.” Developing the journal changed the way Ramkumar approaches her own education. “It’s made me more intentional about how I connect what I’m learning,” she said. “Now I’m always thinking — how does this apply somewhere else? What does this connect to?” Many students at Wayne State already explore ideas with an interdisciplinary mindset, even if there are not always formal spaces for those ideas to intersect. As the project continues to evolve, Ramkumar hopes Audi Alteram Partem: Journal of Law, Science and Society will become a lasting space for student research, collaboration and dialogue across campus. “Some of the most impactful ideas happen when different perspectives come together,” she said. “That’s the kind of environment I hope this journal creates.” To learn more visit, Audi Alteram Partem: Journal of Law, Science, and Society. By Darlene A. White

National scholar to lead and advance interdisciplinary, Detroit-rooted center focused on scholarship, public engagement and community connection DETROIT — Wayne State University has named Dr. Richard D. Benson II the inaugural director of the Detroit Center for Black Studies. This marks a major milestone in the university’s ongoing work to establish Detroit as a leading site for interdisciplinary Black studies scholarship, dialogue and community engagement. Dr. Richard D. Benson II the inaugural director of the Detroit Center for Black Studies A nationally recognized scholar of the Black Freedom Movement, the Black Radical Tradition and transnational social movements, Benson most recently served as associate professor of the Black radical tradition in education at the University of Pittsburgh. He was selected following a national search and officially joined Wayne State on June 1. Established through a 6ドル million grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation announced in 2022, the Detroit Center for Black Studies will expand interdisciplinary scholarship, faculty collaboration and public engagement related to African American, African and African-diaspora studies. Since the grant announcement, Wayne State has focused on building the center’s foundation through faculty recruitment, strategic planning and public programming that expands interdisciplinary scholarship and strengthens connections among the university, Detroit and broader public conversations around Black studies. “Dr. Benson brings the intellectual leadership, interdisciplinary perspective and community-centered vision needed to guide the Detroit Center for Black Studies forward,” said Dr. Keith Whitfield, interim provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at Wayne State University. “His scholarship reflects the very qualities this center is intended to embody: rigorous academic inquiry grounded in history, connected to public life, and deeply engaged with the communities and questions shaping Detroit and our broader society.” Benson’s research and teaching focus on the intersections of Black intellectual traditions, education, activism and social movements. Prior to joining the University of Pittsburgh, he served as associate professor in the education department at Spelman College. He is the award-winning author of Fighting for Our Place in the Sun: Malcolm X and the Radicalization of the Black Student Movement 1960–1973 and is currently completing additional book projects focused on Black political organizing and radicalism. At the University of Pittsburgh’s Center of Urban Education, Benson helped expand partnerships between universities and communities, with a focus on creating stronger connections among scholars, educators, organizers and public institutions. His experience bridging scholarship, education and community engagement aligns closely with the center’s interdisciplinary and public-facing mission. “The opportunity to help build the Detroit Center for Black Studies at Wayne State University is incredibly meaningful,” said Benson. “Detroit holds a unique place in the history of Black political thought, culture, labor activism and intellectual life. I’m excited to work alongside faculty, students and community partners to continue building a center that reflects the depth, complexity and significance of Black studies in Detroit and beyond.” Black studies has increasingly evolved toward interdisciplinary, place-based models that connect scholarship with public life and community engagement. Located in the heart of Detroit, Wayne State’s center is designed to bring together scholars from across geographies and disciplines — including history, arts and culture, public health, education, and the humanities — while grounding its work in Detroit’s lived experience and global influence. “We continue to intentionally build the foundation for a truly interdisciplinary, Detroit-rooted center for Black studies,” said Dr. Amanda Bryant-Friedrich, dean of Wayne State’s Graduate School and principal investigator for the university’s Black Studies Faculty Enhancement Initiative. “As the initiative has evolved, Wayne State has worked to shape a model that emphasizes scholarship, public engagement and national dialogue. Dr. Benson brings the vision and collaborative leadership needed to help guide that next chapter.” Wayne State’s evolving Detroit-rooted model reflects a growing national emphasis on place-based Black studies work that connects academic research with community dialogue and public life. The center’s next phase will include expanded public programming, interdisciplinary collaboration, and development of a scholar-in-residence program and annual symposium designed to bring leading scholars, artists and thinkers to Detroit for ongoing dialogue, research and community engagement. Additional announcements related to the center’s programming and public initiatives will be shared in the coming months. Visit dcbs.wayne.edu for additional information. About the Detroit Center for Black Studies: The Detroit Center for Black Studies at Wayne State University is a multidisciplinary academic center dedicated to advancing scholarship, teaching and public engagement related to African American, African and African-diaspora research and studies. Established through support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the center brings together scholars across disciplines while grounding its work in Detroit’s history, culture and intellectual traditions. About Wayne State University: Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering approximately 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 24,000 students.