Emma Atkinson

communicator, writer, editor, content marketer

my latest work

University of Denver Magazine •

From Classroom to Community Farm

Katie Ketchum (BA ’18) has farmed fields from Long Island, New York, to Boulder, Colorado—and, while crops and climates may change with each location, her commitment to doing meaningful work and building community has remained steadfast.
After graduating with a degree in geography and international studies, she dove headfirst into urban agriculture following graduation, starting as a farmer for the Denver Botanic Gardens. Seven years later, she serves as field and harvest man...
House Digest •

The Simple Addition Your Raised Garden Beds Need For Better Drainage & Healthy Soil - House Digest

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There's nothing better than reaping the hard-earned rewards of growing your own food. Salads with homegrown cucumbers and tomatoes or a pie made from a pumpkin that started as a simple seed just taste better, right? But maybe you live in a place where growing food — or even flowers — right in the ground isn't an option; digging through gravel or fighting clay isn't exactly the easiest approach to home g...
University of Denver Newsroom •

Fact vs. Fiction: The Lore of DU | University of Denver

Every university worth its salt has its share of  larger-than-life stories about its students, faculty, campus, and traditions—but what happens when those tales grow taller and taller over time? It’s not always easy to sort fact from fiction when it comes to university lore, so we created a DU lore cheat sheet to set the record straight. Read on for more about what’s true—and what isn’t—about dear old DU.Visitors to the building’s beautiful Renaissance Room have no doubt felt the watchful eye of...
University of Denver Newsroom •

At DU, There’s a Club for That | University of Denver

One of the best parts about being a student at the University of Denver is the experiences that happen outside of the classroom. Yes, schoolwork is important—and kind of the whole point of going to college—but there’s so much more to life at DU! With more than 100 registered student organizations, there is no shortage of opportunities for extracurricular fun. Read on for some of the coolest ways to make friends and have new experiences across campus.Getcha head in the game! From basketball to la...
University of Denver Newsroom •

From Textbooks to Tech: Augmented Reality Levels Up Language Learning | University of Denver

How do you keep high school kids engaged in the classroom? One University of Denver professor thinks he has the answer: augmented reality, or AR.In a new study, Ebrahim Bamanger, teaching assistant professor of Arabic, has found that using an AR-based curriculum can significantly increase student motivation to learn—specifically, to learn English as a second language. Motivation, Bamanger writes, is “an indicator of the success of the educational process” and an important aspect of a holistic ed...
University of Denver Newsroom •

The Best Hot Springs Near Denver | University of Denver

There’s nothing better than a long soak in a hot tub—or so you thought. Pack your swimsuit because we’re about to blow your best hot tub experience out of the water. Say hello to Colorado hot springs. Hot springs are naturally occurring geothermal water features—basically, they’re nature’s hot tubs. Colorado is home to more than 90 known hot springs, all classified as “low temperature,” meaning that their waters don’t exceed the boiling point. Soaking in hot springs isn’t just about relaxation;...
University of Denver Newsroom •

When Sleep During Pregnancy Isn’t Just Personal—It’s Research | University of Denver

In the third trimester of her pregnancy, Melissa Nevarez-Brewster wasn’t sleeping well. “I woke up every hour or hour and a half just to go to the bathroom,” the first-time mom says. “And then, in the later weeks, just moving an inch would wake me up because of how uncomfortable I was.” Nevarez-Brewster says she’s actually getting better sleep now that her baby is born, despite those infamous middle-of-the-night feedings.“Now, I can offset a little bit with my partner,” she says. “I don’t have t...
House Digest •

Bring Back This Vintage Wall Decor That Serves An Important Family Purpose - House Digest

Whether it's a sturdy outdoor dinner bell or a smaller, daintier indoor bell, there are dinner bells out there to match any interior decorating style. Ones like the MrMrKura Cast Iron Dinner Bell offer a traditional colonial look, while even larger bells, like this iMeshBean 14-inch Cast Iron Dinner Bell, can give you a farmhouse vibe — and ensure that your kids can hear it from down the block. For a nautical look, find options that feature a thick rope, and for a "cottage-core" vibe, a smaller...
University of Denver •

Seven Grads, One Shared Goal: Make a Difference | University of Denver

From filmmakers and journalists to social workers and entrepreneurs, the University of Denver’s 2025 graduates are set to leave their mark on the world.We spoke with seven soon-to-be alumni about what they hope to contribute to their personal and professional communities after they move on from DU.

From filmmakers and journalists to social workers and entrepreneurs, the University of Denver’s 2025 graduates are set to leave their mark on the world.

We spoke with seven soon-to-be alumni about w...
University of Denver Newsroom •

From Policy to People: How DU is Training Leaders to Change the Housing Landscape | University of Denver

“Affordable housing is the number-one issue in Colorado.”It’s not a new refrain. As the state’s population growth continues, albeit more slowly than in years past, the need for affordable housing is becoming ever more important. It’s a problem that requires a diverse approach—professional communities of developers, nonprofit owners, policymakers, and community advocates all make up the fabric of the affordable housing landscape. With so many people in so many different areas working to solve the...
University of Denver Newsroom •

Best Things to Do in Denver on a Sunny Spring Day | University of Denver

When the snow melts and warmer temperatures pop up on your phone’s weather app, you know spring is just around the corner—and spring is Denver’s best season, in this writer’s opinion. With dozens of outdoor activities and events to choose from, don’t let spring slip away from you—take advantage of the warm air and sunny skies by taking a weekend to explore the best of Denver’s plein air adventures!Here’s a roundup of the best things to do this spring in Denver:With the Colorado Rockies’ home ope...
University of Denver Newsroom •

Previewing the 2025-26 Newman Center Presents Season | University of Denver

“I’ve never seen anybody move like that.”That’s what Aisha Ahmad-Post, executive director of the Robert and Judi Newman Center for the Performing Arts, thought when she first saw the principal dancer of the Taiwanese troupe Hung Dance perform.“She uses so much of her facial expressions, and her fingers and her toes,” Ahmad-Post reflects. “Everything is so wrapped up in the emotion.”Hung Dance is just one of the 17 acts that will come to Denver as part of the 2025-2026 Newman Center Presents seas...
University of Denver Newsroom •

Thinking About Law School? Here’s What DU Wants You to Know | University of Denver

If you’re thinking about going to law school, you’re not alone. The number of people applying to law schools across the country has increased more than 20% since 2024. The same is true at the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law, where applications are up 18%.Iain Davis, assistant dean of admissions and student financial management at Sturm, says law schools typically see a bump in applications after an election year. “When election results come out in the beginning of November, people wh...
University of Denver Newsroom •

DU Professor Explores the Bookish Brilliance Behind Taylor Swift’s Eras | University of Denver

Taylor Swift is known for making literary and theatre references in her songs—from the classic Romeo and Juliet tale in “Love Story” to her nod to Aristotle in “That’s So High School.” DU professor of English Rachel Feder is an expert on all things literary arts. She teaches courses on 18th- and 19th-century British literature with emphases on Romanticism, literary experiment, intellectual history, women writers, and the Gothic. She is the author of six books, including “Daisy,” a narrative-poet...
RadioEd •

NIMBY By Design: How Renters’ Voices Go Unheard | University of Denver

Think about where you lay your head at night: Whether it’s an apartment, a house or a condo, do you own the place you sleep in?  While it’s more common to own a home than to rent one, there are more people renting now in the United States than at any point since 1965.   More than 45 million households in this country are rentals—that’s more than a third of all households in the United States, made up of more than 100 million residents.  And if you’re one of those 100 million renters, one Univers...
University of Denver Newsroom •

50 Countries, Countless Stories: DU Students Go Abroad | University of Denver

At the University of Denver, the world is your campus.It’s one of the many great things about DU. Students can go abroad and earn credits for a summer, a quarter, or even longer through the University’s abundant study abroad opportunities. In fact, more than 70 percent of undergrads go abroad at some point during their time at DU. Pursuing education abroad is not only the opportunity of a lifetime, but it’s also been made increasingly accessible to all students thanks to the support of the Cherr...
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