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.

 

The moon in space

A rocket is going to crash into the moon—what can it tell us about impacts in space?

March 1, 2022

On March 4, a spent rocket booster will smack into the surface of the moon. The accidental experiment will hopefully shed light on the mysterious physics of planetary impact. Expert Paul Hayne shares on The Conversation.

Group of protesters

What America’s voting rights activists can learn from past movements for civil rights

Feb. 7, 2022

Digging deeply into the nation’s past can help illuminate the racial setbacks facing the U.S. today. Anthony Siracusa, senior director of inclusive culture and initiatives, shares on The Conversation.

Posters of healthcare worker

When will the pandemic end? 4 essential reads on past pandemics, what the future could bring

Jan. 27, 2022

When—if ever—is it realistic to expect SARS-CoV-2 will recede from the headlines and daily life? Read four essential stories from The Conversation archive.

Dog nose

From odor to action—how smells are processed in the brain, influence behavior

Jan. 25, 2022

Understanding how the brain translates smells into behavior change can help advance search and rescue technology and treatments for neurological conditions. Professor John Crimaldi and colleagues share on The Conversation.

COVID variants

Alpha then delta and now omicron—6 questions answered as COVID cases surge again

Jan. 24, 2022

People are buzzing with questions about the omicron variant and whether it could help usher in herd immunity. A team of CU Boulder virologists deciphers the latest findings on The Conversation.

President Lyndon B. Johnson, right, talks with Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders

How the Vietnam War pushed MLK to embrace global justice, not only civil rights at home

Jan. 13, 2022

Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision for nonviolence included abolishing what he called triple evils—racism, poverty and militarism. CU expert Anthony Siracusa shares on The Conversation.

woman farming

A 21st-century reinvention of the electric grid is crucial for solving the climate change crisis

Jan. 12, 2022

Renewable energy is expanding at a record pace, but still not fast enough. CU experts Charles Kutscher and Jeffrey Logan share the key areas to watch for progress in bringing more wind and solar into the power grid in 2022. Read it on The Conversation.

Group of friends singing karaoke in a bar

Here’s where (and how) you are most likely to catch COVID—new study

Jan. 11, 2022

Two years into the pandemic, most of us are fed up. We’d like to ride on a bus, sing in a choir, get back to the gym or dance in a nightclub without fear of catching COVID-19. Which of these activities are safe? And how safe exactly? Three CU experts share on The Conversation.

Contracting heart cells

Mechanical forces in a beating heart affect cells’ DNA, with implications for development and disease

Jan. 3, 2022

Contracting heart cells exert forces on their genetic material that affect how they develop. Mechanical and biomedical engineering expert Corey Neu shares on The Conversation.

Hanukkah ornament on a Christmas tree

To tree, or not to tree? How Jewish-Christian families navigate the ‘December dilemma’

Dec. 15, 2021

Figuring out whether to celebrate holidays, and how, is tricky for lots of interfaith families—but thoughtful communication makes a difference. Assistant Professor Samira Mehta shares on The Conversation.

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