The Conversation is an independent, nonprofit publisher of commentary and analysis, authored by academics and edited by journalists for the general public. On a mission “to promote truthful information and strengthen journalism by unlocking the rich diversity of academic research for audiences across America,” The Conversation publishes short articles by academics on timely topics related to their research. CU Boulder provides funding as a member of The Conversation U.S. Learn more about the partnership and how and why to write for The Conversation.

 

Community members from Utqiagvik, Alaska, look to open water from the edge of shorefast sea ice

Arctic report card reveals cascading disruptions, extreme events, global connections

Dec. 14, 2021

Sea ice is thinning at an alarming rate. Snow is shifting to rain. And humans worldwide are increasingly feeling the impact of what happens in the seemingly distant Arctic. NSIDC and CIRES scientists share on The Conversation.

University of Florida

Professors’ free speech rights can clash with public universities’ interest in managing employees

Dec. 10, 2021

When the University of Florida barred three professors from testifying in a lawsuit over voting restrictions, it raised important questions of academic freedom and free speech. Colorado Law Professor Helen Norton shares on The Conversation.

Photo from new West Side Story film

‘West Side Story’ may be timeless, but life in gangs today differs drastically

Dec. 10, 2021

Gangs have changed in the decades since “West Side Story” first came out––they are deadlier, and their demographics are different––as are the means law enforcement use to control them. Sociology professor David Pyrooz and colleagues share on The Conversation.

Rabbi Diana Villa with colleagues at the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem

Women, beyond the ordained, lead religious groups in many ways

Dec. 8, 2021

Women are trying to make religious communities more inclusive, and women’s ordination is only one piece of this ongoing work. Deborah Whitehead, scholar of gender and U.S. religious history, shares on The Conversation.

Waiting for SCOTUS: pro-choice activists outside the US Supreme Court on November 1. Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA

US abortion bans back before Supreme Court—globally more countries liberalizing access than restricting it

Nov. 30, 2021

Justices on the US Supreme Court are considering two challenges to abortion restrictions that could have wide-reaching implications. A CU Boulder expert shares on The Conversation Weekly podcast.

doctor prepares a vial of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

Is COVID-19 here to stay? Team of biologists explains what it means for a virus to become endemic

Nov. 5, 2021

Some viruses go extinct, while others stick around. The virus that causes COVID-19 seems likely to remain with us for the long term. Three CU Boulder experts share on The Conversation.

man in business suit adjusts his jacket and tie

Why are investors so cocky? Biased memory might play a role

Nov. 2, 2021

Stock investors may selectively forget their money-losing stocks, according to new research. Overconfidence is often a contributing factor to market crashes, like the financial crisis of 2008. Associate Professor Philip Fernbach shares on The Conversation.

satellite image of earth

The science everyone needs to know about climate change, in 6 charts

Nov. 1, 2021

Take a closer look at what’s driving climate change and how scientists know CO2 is involved, in a series of charts examining the evidence in different ways. Senior Scientist Betsy Weatherhead shares on The Conversation.

UV light

Type of ultraviolet light most effective at killing coronavirus is also the safest to use around people

Oct. 26, 2021

UV lights come in a variety of different wavelengths, but not all are equally effective at disinfection. Researchers tested a number of commercially available lights to find the best––Professor Karl Linden shares on The Conversation.

Child working on laptop computer

Kids and their computers: Several hours a day of screen time is OK, study suggests

Oct. 12, 2021

New CU Boulder data suggests lots of time on screens may even improve peer relationships, but the study comes with caveats. Doctoral student Katie Paulich shares on The Conversation.

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