The Conversation

How sexual partner abuse has changed with social media

Written by David Finkelhor, Professor of Sociology, University of New Hampshire

An old problem with a digital twist.www.shutterstock.com

Incidents involving threats to expose sexual images, or what media are calling “sextortion,” are not new, but have evolved with social media.

In a large study we recently did on the topic, we found that sextortion mostly involves the classic dynamics of abusive relationships, or...

What the presidential candidates' data can tell us about Trump and Clinton

Written by Rick Hutley, Clinical Professor of Analytics, University of the Pacific

It’s election season, and the candidates’ and campaigns’ eyes are on you, the voter. Figuring out what you think about something a candidate said last night or tweeted this morning is very big business. All this gathering of data, from statewide and national polls and social media alike, can make it seem as if everything we do...

Why is the US Green Party so irrelevant?

Written by Per Urlaub, Associate Professor of German Studies, University of Texas at Austin

niXerKG/Flickr, CC BY-NC

Many Americans value environmental protection and want to see more of it. But Jill Stein, the Green Party presidential candidate, is drawing only 1 to 3 percent in recent polls, even in an election where many voters dislike the major candidates and are looking for alternatives.

Stein certainly has worked to differentiate...

Digital health devices are great, but their prices are widening the health gap

Written by Quianta Moore, Scholar in Health Policy, Rice University

Couple using in-home blood pressure monitor. From www.shuttertock.com

Chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases account for more than 85 percent of all deaths in the United States. Obesity and asthma in particular are among the leading causes of preventable deaths in the United States and...

How to involve more women and girls in engineering

Written by Carolyn Conner Seepersad, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin

Let's see how this works.Cockrell School of Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, CC BY-NC

As millions of students of all ages return to school this fall, they are making important choices that have a strong influence on their eventual career path – which college majors to pursue, which high school classes to take, even which elementary...

Why do science issues seem to divide us along party lines?

Written by Lauren Griffin, Co-Director of Research for frank and Manager of the Journal of Public Interest Communications, College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida

There's more to it than political beliefs.Buttons image via www.shutterstock.com.

Much has been made about the predictable partisan split between presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on issues of science and public policy. But what about their supporters? Can Americans really be that far apart in terms of science?

That liberals...

Why inequality is the most important economic challenge facing the next president

Written by Steven Pressman, Professor of Economics, Colorado State University

U.S. middle class, R.I.P.?Middle class demise via www.shutterstock.com

In a recent issue of The Economist, President Barack Obama set out four major economic issues that his successor must tackle. As he put it:

“… restoring faith in an economy where hardworking Americans can get ahead requires addressing four major structural...

Brexit and Trump are bad for our health

Written by Elizabeth Radin, Associate Research Scientist, Columbia University

Politics in America and Europe may be increasingly isolationist, but deadly pathogens aren’t. Votes for Brexit and Donald Trump may in fact be votes for worsening pandemics and fewer doctors and researchers to fight them.

This summer Brits chose to leave the EU and Americans nominated Trump as the Republican Party candidate. On both sides of...

Evangelical Christians are on the left too

Written by Timothy J. Williams, Visiting Assistant Professor of History, University of Oregon

On Oct. 3, Longwood University, a public university in Virginia, hosted the first and only 2016 vice presidential debate. In what were described as the debate’s “most sincere” and “most honest” moments, Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Governor Mike Pence (R-IN) discussed their religious faiths.

Pence, a...

Why newspaper endorsements might matter more in this election

Written by Agustin Casas, Assistant Professor of Organization and Business Management, CUNEF

What do The Houston Chronicle, The Dallas Morning News, The Cincinnati Enquirer and The Columbus Dispatch have in common?

They’ve all broken from their tradition of endorsing Republican nominees and have endorsed Hillary Clinton for president.

On the same note, The Chicago Tribune, USA Today and The Atlantic have also done something new this...