The Conversation

Use of 'white privilege' makes online discussions more polarized and less constructive

Written by Christopher Quarles, PhD Candidate in Information, University of Michigan

A protester holds a sign reading 'White Privilege Is The Problem' at a rally against policy brutality and racial injustice in New York on Sept. 5, 2020. Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images

A wide variety of historical, economic and cultural forces combine to allow a larger percentage of whites to climb up the socioeconomic ladder than Blacks...

What can reverse late-night TV's decline?

Written by Jon Rineman, Affiliated Faculty, Visual and Media Arts & Comedic Arts, Emerson College

James Corden, host of 'The Late Late Show,' recently announced that he will be stepping down from the show.Theo Wargo/Getty Images

In late April, after James Corden announced he would step down from “The Late Late Show” next spring, there was immediate speculation about his replacement.

Others, however, have had a different response to...

Wealthy nations are carving up space and its riches – and leaving other countries behind

Written by Theodora Ogden, Research Fellow in Emerging Space Countries, Arizona State University

There is a U.S. flag on the Moon, but in the future, countries may start to turn access to the Moon and asteroids into serious wealth.NASA/Neil A. Armstrong

Satellites help run the internet and television and are central to the Global Positioning System. They enable modern weather forecasting, help scientists track environmental degradation and...

Beyond honey: 4 essential reads about bees

Written by Jennifer Weeks, Senior Environment + Energy Editor, The Conversation

Bumblebees at work, dotted with pollen.Crabchick/Flickr, CC BY

As spring gardening kicks into high gear, bees emerge from hibernation and start moving from flower to flower. These hardworking insects play an essential role pollinating plants, but they’re also interesting for many other reasons. Scientists study bees to learn about their...

Trusting societies are overall happier – a happiness expert explains why

Written by Benjamin Radcliff, Professor of Political Science, University of Notre Dame

Trust in other people and in public institutions is one key predictor of happiness.Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Human beings are social animals. This means, almost as a matter of logical necessity, that humans’ quality of life is largely decided by the quality of their societies.

Trust is one key factor that helps shape societies...

Why Ukraine's undersized military is resisting supposedly superior Russian forces

Written by Liam Collins, Founding Director, Modern War Institute, United States Military Academy West Point

A Ukrainian soldier is seen at a Ukrainian front line in Donbass, Ukraine, on April 11, 2022. Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, many observers looked at Russia’s overwhelming combat power and thought Russia would achieve a quick victory.

Because Russia has a US$62...

Top athletes have special advantages entering college, like children of alumni

Written by Rick Eckstein, Professor of Sociology, Villanova University

Top college sports prospects get special advantages in their application and admission processes.Will Lester/MediaNews Group/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin via Getty Images

In recent years, colleges have paid more attention to complaints that their admissions decisions give unfair advantages to children of their alumni. Lawmakers in Congress and state...

5 justices, all confirmed by senators representing a minority of voters, appear willing to overturn Roe v. Wade

Written by Kevin J. McMahon, Professor of Political Science & Director of the Graduate Program in Public Policy, Trinity College

An unscalable fence around the U.S. Supreme Court, on May 7, 2022, set up in response to protests against the possible overruling of Roe v. Wade. Jose Luis Magana / AFP/Getty Images

If the leaked Supreme Court decision on abortion is to be believed, five justices have voted during private deliberations to overturn Roe v. Wade. Notably, those five...

What is fentanyl and why is it behind the deadly surge in US drug overdoses? A medical toxicologist explains

Written by Kavita Babu, Professor of Emergency Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School

Only a small amount of fentanyl is enough to be lethal.AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

Buying drugs on the street is a game of Russian roulette. From Xanax to cocaine, drugs or counterfeit pills purchased in nonmedical settings may contain life-threatening amounts of fentanyl.

Physicians like me have seen a rise in unintentional fentanyl use from people...

Russia is being made a pariah state – just like it and the Soviet Union were for most of the last 105 years

Written by Alastair Kocho-Williams, Professor of History, Clarkson University

Smoke rises on April 15, 2022, above 400 new graves in the town of Severodonetsk, Ukraine. Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

The U.S. and its European allies recently said they planned to take a new approach in their relations with Russia: They would isolate and contain the country in the aftermath of its invasion of Ukraine. Doing...