The Conversation

Simple strategies can boost vaccination rates for adults over 65 − new study

Written by Laurie Archbald-Pannone, Associate Professor of Medicine and Geriatrics, University of Virginia

Many older adults are not up to date on their vaccines. Morsa Images via Getty Images

Knowing which vaccines older adults should get and hearing a clear recommendation from their health care provider about why a particular vaccine is important strongly motivated them to get vaccinated. That’s a key finding in a recent study I co-authored in...

The push to restore semiconductor manufacturing faces a labor crisis − can the US train enough workers in time?

Written by Michael Moats, Professor of Metallurgical Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology

Semiconductors power nearly every aspect of modern life – cars, smartphones, medical devices and even national defense systems. These tiny but essential components make the information age possible, whether they’re supporting lifesaving hospital equipment or facilitating the latest advances in artificial intelligence.

It’s easy...

When humans use AI to earn patents, who is doing the inventing?

Written by W. Keith Robinson, Professor of Law, Wake Forest University

Only humans can be awarded patents, but AIs can do a lot of the work to earn them.lineartestpilot/iStock via Getty Images

The advent of generative artificial intelligence has sent shock waves across industries, from the technical to the creative. AI systems that can generate viable computer code, write news stories and spin up professional-looking...

Why parents of ‘twice-exceptional’ children choose homeschooling over public school

Written by Rachael Cody, Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Education, Oregon State University

More Americans are homeschooling their kids.Chris Hondros/Newsmakers via Getty Images

Homeschooling has exploded in popularity in recent years, particularly since the pandemic. But researchers are still exploring why parents choose to homeschool their children.

While the decision to homeschool is often associated with religion, a 2023 survey found...

Environmental protection laws still apply even under Trump’s national energy emergency − here’s why

Written by Albert C. Lin, Professor of Law, University of California, Davis

Part of the Line 5 pipeline carrying crude oil from Canada to the U.S. runs underwater in the Straits of Mackinac, between two of the Great Lakes.Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy via AP

In response to President Donald Trump’s declaration of a “national energy emergency,” the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers...

Are Ukrainians ready for ceasefire and concessions? Here’s what the polls say

Written by Gerard Toal, Professor of Government and International Affairs, Virginia Tech

After three years of conflict, a majority of Ukrainians report being war-weary.Tetiana Dzhafarova/AFP via Getty Images.

A U.S.-Ukraine accord on a ceasefire proposal has put the notion of a negotiated end to the three-year war on the agenda, and in the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But even before Moscow responds, it’s pretty...

Philly Roller Derby league turns 20 - here’s how the sport skated its way to feminism, anti-racism and queer liberation

Written by Colleen English, Associate Professor of Kinesiology, Penn State

Early members of Philly's roller derby league face off in a match circa 2005-2006.Jeff Fusco/The Conversation U.S., CC BY-ND

For 20 years, Philly Roller Derby skaters, who go by names like Woolly Slammoth, TrailBlazeHer and Reba Smackentire, have jammed and blocked their way around oval skating rinks in the spirit of feminism, anti-racism, body...

How an unexpected observation, a 10th-century recipe and an explorer’s encounter with a cabbage thief upend what we know about collard greens’ journey to the American South

Written by Bronwen Powell, Associate Professor of Geography, African Studies and Anthropology, Penn State

Collard greens − a staple of diets across the African diaspora.Bronwen Powell/Abderrahim Ouarghidi, CC BY

For generations, collard greens have formed an important part of African and African-diaspora diets around the world.

The leafy vegetable is a quintessential part of African American, Southern and “soul” foods in the United...

I study refugees, and here are the facts on the history and impact of refugee resettlement in the US

Written by Tazreena Sajjad, Senior Professorial Lecturer of Global Governance, Politics and Security, American University School of International Service

Borders: closed.Anton Petrus/Moment via Getty

Refugees haven’t been welcome in the United States since the first day of President Donald Trump’s second term, when he signed an executive order suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for 90 days. Despite a February 2025 federal court order to resume refugee resettlement, the...

You’ve likely heard the Serenity Prayer − but not its backstory

Written by Scott Paeth, Professor of Religious Studies, DePaul University

It may be timeless wisdom, but the prayer itself isn't ancient.Roy Morsch/The Image Bank via Getty Images

I’m not sure when I first encountered the Serenity Prayer, or when it first occurred to me to ask who wrote it. For much of my life it never occurred to me that prayers were the kind of things that people actually wrote down, especially...