CAMPUS/AREA UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN Monday, November 14, 1994 3A Magazine shows need for KU research Explore a little-known but award-winning University publication By Brenden CR Sager Kansan correspondent If research wasn't exciting, the University of Kansas wouldn't 'Explore. "Research always will move as quick as mud, run up a tab, rock the crust of certainty, improve life, save lives," Roger Martin said. "I've been trying to get that across for 13 years." Martin is the editor of KU's research magazine, Explore, one of the University's least-known award-winning publishers. "We try to show how expensive and necessary research is to the University," Martin said. "We try to straddle the chasm between ignorance and specialization." Explore, published three times a year, includes articles about research done within the University community and articles written by members of the University's faculty and staff. In the most recent issue, published last summer, Martin wrote an article titled "Unwanted: Dead or Alive," which explained viruses ranging from the flu virus to the HIV virus and research being done at the University of Kansas Medical Center on these viruses. In its opening lines, the article stated, "A reptilian-looking something erupts from a man's throat as Arnold Schwarzenegger might from an egg shell." Martin is nothing if not prolific. Another story in the magazine may leave a lump in your throat instead of Schwarenegger. An article by David Ohle titled "What's Fair is Hard" explained the research being done at the University to reach full inclusion of children with special needs into mainstream education. The writers of Explore run the KU gambit. Rex Buchanan, assistant director at the Kansas Geological Survey, is a continuing contributor to Explore. Despite his seemingly apolitical training, he wrote an article titled "Log Another Lincoln Book" about Phillip Shaw Paladan, a history professor who wrote a book published by the University. "Phillip Shaw Paladan has published 'Abraham Lincoln's Presidency,'" the article stated. "Despite all that's been written, Paladan shows there's still more to learn." The articles in Explore show the diversity of research and opinions of scholars at KU. Tom Weiss, professor of economics, wrote an article titled "The Midas Touchdown: How Best To Divvy the Revenues of University Athletics?" In the article, Weiss wrote, "The NCAA started out honorably enough. It now behaves like a cartel." Weiss concluded that everything from coaches' salaries to corporate influences were destroying the spirit of intercollegiate athletics. Although Explore largely is unknown among KU students, it is popular among faculty, administrators and the nation. The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education has given Explore three gold awards, four silver and three bronze. It took second place behind Stanford Medical School's research magazine in a national competition. Explore has a circulation of about 5,400. Among subscribers are 1,100 of the University's most generous contributors, Martin said. He sends copies to Jayhawks for Higher Education and to other schools, both inside and outside of the Big Eight Conference. The magazine is free to people signed up on the mailing list. Andrew Debicki, vice chancellor of research and grants and a member of Explore's editorial board, said that the magazine kept people informed about research projects at KU. The editorial board meets once a year to set up general policy, Debicki said. The board then makes suggestions to Martin. "We have to let the legislators know what we're doing is worthwhile," said Debicki, whose office finances the magazine. Debicki is proud of Explore and what it has accomplished. "There's no question," he said. "It's an asset to the University." But Debicki said that Explore had a difficult mission. "The public thinks university research is unreal," he said. "Our job is to show that it isn't." For the research to be a success, Debicki said, it must be appreciated beyond the campus. "That's part of our mission," he said. "People tend to separate teaching and learning. Teaching is infused by teaching and learning." Bedick said that Explore must present the latest and most exciting research information to make sure the legislators thought they were getting their money's worth. CAMPUS BRIEF Kansas has three Rhodes, Marshall scholar nominees