The Conversation

Maple seeds’ unique spinning motion allows them to travel far even in the rain, a new study shows

Written by Andrew Dickerson, Associate Professor of Mechanical, Aerospace and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee

Winged seeds called samaras grow on maple trees. These are seeds from the Japanese maple, _Acer palmatum_.AlessandroZocc/iStock via Getty Images Plus

When wind or other disturbances detach winged maple seeds called samaras from their parent tree, they spin through the air – and can even spin when it’s raining. Impacts by high-speed...

Is a united European voice possible in the age of Trump, Putin and far-right politics? Germany’s new leader intends to find out

Written by Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, Associate Professor of Critical Cultural & International Studies, Colorado State University

Could Friedrich Merz be the man to speak for Europe?Sean Gallup/Getty Images

“Who do I call if I want to speak to Europe?”

The question was famously attributed to former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and refers to the historical inability of the political entity of Europe to coordinate on a united front in the global arena.

And...

Brutalism – the architectural style that dared to summon a new world from the ashes of World War II

Written by Michael Allen, Visiting Assistant Professor of History, West Virginia University

Boston City Hall, which was completed in 1968, is considered a classic example of Brutalist architecture. Yunghi Kim/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Some viewers of “The Brutalist” are probably getting their first taste of Brutalism, the architectural style that gives the film its name.

The film, which has been nominated for 10...

More Americans of all political stripes support government benefits for low-income people − and Black Lives Matter could be a big reason why

Written by Karyn Vilbig, PhD Student in Sociology, New York University

A protester leads a Black Lives Matter rally in San Francisco on June 3, 2020.Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

For all the apparent division over Black Lives Matter, the movement may have had a widespread and positive impact on Americans’ support for policies that help the poor.

Since the Black Lives Matter movement launched in 2013, several...

Trump administration sets out to create an America its people have never experienced − one without a meaningful government

Written by Sidney Shapiro, Professor of Law, Wake Forest University

A worker removes letters from the U.S. Agency for International Development building.Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

The U.S. government is attempting to dismantle itself.

President Donald Trump has directed the executive branch to “significantly reduce the size of government.” That includes deep cuts in federal funding of scientific and...

Managers can help their Gen Z employees unlock the power of meaningful work − here’s how

Written by Kelly Kennedy, Ed.D., Director of Transformative Learning, University of Connecticut

Finding fulfilling and motivating work is a challenge for many people, but it can be especially difficult for those just starting their careers. And as Generation Z professionals – those born between 1997 and 2012 – increasingly seek personalized career paths, managers are tasked with helping employees find meaning in their roles while...

Identifying brands as Black-owned can pay off for businesses

Written by Oren Reshef, Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Washington University in St. Louis

Labeling businesses as Black-owned can significantly boost their sales, we found in a recent study.

In June 2020, the business-review website Yelp introduced a feature allowing consumers to search for Black-owned restaurants. As professors who study digitization, inequality and the economics of technology, we were interested in understanding its...

What is a charter school, really? Supreme Court ruling on whether Catholic charter is constitutional will hinge on whether they’re public or private

Written by Preston Green III, John and Maria Neag Professor of Urban Education, University of Connecticut

The court's ruling could affect more than religion in schools.AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

In April 2025, the Supreme Court will hear arguments about whether the nation’s first religious charter school can open in Oklahoma. The St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School would be funded by taxpayer money but run by a local archdiocese and...

Israel’s bombing of Gaza caused untold environmental damage − recovery will take effort and time

Written by Lesley Joseph, Research Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering, University of South Carolina

Vast areas in Gaza have been reduced to rubble.Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The war in Gaza has come with an awful cost. Tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed, and thousands more are missing. And while a temporary ceasefire has allowed for increased aid delivery, easing the plight of those facing disease and hunger,...

Anti-DEI guidance from Trump administration misinterprets the law and guts educators’ free speech rights

Written by Paul M. Collins Jr., Professor of Legal Studies and Political Science, UMass Amherst

The Trump administration letter aims to stop teachers from discussing many topics with students.Hill Street Studios, DigitalVision/Getty Images

The Trump administration’s attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion have continued in the form of a “Dear Colleague” letter from the Department of Education to educational institutions...