The Institute for Regional and International Studies (IRIS) at UW–Madison stands at the forefront of cultural competency and outreach, directly affecting the lives of thousands of K-12 students, educators, and community members across Wisconsin. UW–Madison’s eight National Resource Centers (NRCs), all housed under IRIS and established between 1961 and 1997, host signature events and outreach activities aimed at connecting local communities and enhancing public education. Through these events, programs, and critical resources, IRIS improves Wisconsin classrooms and libraries year after year.
Statewide Reach
From Wisconsin’s rural towns to city centers, IRIS influences every part of the state, ensuring public access to free educational resources and career opportunities. Between 2018 and 2024, IRIS outreach initiatives have spanned more than 100 school districts throughout Wisconsin.
- Key statistics: Each year, IRIS programs connect Wisconsin middle and high school students and teachers to global issues, reaching approximately 71,500 students across more than 350 schools.
- Library engagement: Library grants and Discovery Box programs deliver books and resources to dozens of school and public libraries, allowing public access to new international perspectives.
Expanding International Education
The impact goes beyond mere numbers. IRIS directors have been actively seeking input from educators across the state. This has included visits to public schools and libraries to identify the resources that Wisconsin teachers and librarians require to advance student education and cultural competency. Title VI grant funds are utilized to acquire these valuable books, directly supporting classroom instruction. Below are just a few examples of IRIS’s broad and powerful outreach:
- World Cinema Day: This annual event, held in conjunction with the Wisconsin Film Festival, brings over 200 middle and high school students alongside teachers for a free screening of a high-quality international film, followed by a Q&A and discussion with faculty experts.
- Wisconsin High School Model United Nations Conference: Over 400 students from high schools across Wisconsin and the Midwest gather at UW–Madison every year for the largest and most prestigious Model United Nations conference in the state, co-sponsored by the IRIS NRC. At the 2025 conference, there were 449 student delegates and advisors in attendance, as well as 46 student staffers.
- Children’s African Story Hour (CASH): CASH celebrates African cultures through award-winning children’s literature, hands-on activities, and culinary experiences. These events are presented twice monthly at Madison Public Libraries by the African Studies Program in partnership with the Middle East Studies Program.
- Act 266 Working Group: IRIS staff are part of a critical group working with the Department of Public Instruction, UW faculty, WI Historical Society, PBS Wisconsin, and community members from across the state. This group develops resources and outreach efforts to support Wisconsin educators in teaching Hmong-American and Asian-American histories in compliance with Act 266, which updated Wisconsin’s educational standards and required public schools to teach both of these histories as part of social studies instruction.
- South Asia Book Award (SABA): Co-administered by the Center for South Asia (CSA) and IRIS-NRC, SABA recognizes outstanding children’s and young adult literature portraying the experiences of individuals in South Asia and its diaspora. SABA is funded by the South Asia National Outreach Consortium and was established at UW–Madison in 2009 in response to NRC invitational priorities.
Investing in Wisconsin’s Future
Between 2023 and 2025, IRIS has seen a significant increase in educator and student attendance at events and a surge in email list subscriptions, demonstrating a growing demand for education resources and the continued effectiveness of IRIS programs.
“Thank you for continuing to challenge me to include these topics in my classroom,” shared a teacher attending the Children’s Literature Event in 2024. “And thank you for the incredible resources and the positive, hopeful environment created during the event.”