The Conversation

Who’s the most American? Psychological studies show that many people are biased and think it’s a white English speaker

Written by Katherine Kinzler, Professor of Psychology, University of Chicago

Some people have a narrow view of who is American.The Good Brigade/DigitalVision via Getty Images

In the U.S. and elsewhere, nationality tends to be defined by a set of legal parameters. This may involve birthplace, parental citizenship or procedures for naturalization.

Yet in many Americans’ minds these objective notions of citizenship are a...

Here’s a way to save lives, curb traffic jams and make commutes faster and easier − ban left turns at intersections

Written by Vikash V. Gayah, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, Penn State

Research shows left turns at intersections are dangerous and slow traffic.Benjamin Rondel/The Image Bank via Getty Images

More than 60% of traffic collisions at intersections involve left turns. Some U.S. cities – including San Francisco, Salt Lake City and Birmingham, Alabama – are restricting left turns.

Dr. Vikash Gayah, a professor...

Why the traditional college major may be holding students back in a rapidly changing job market

Written by John Weigand, Professor Emeritus of Architecture and Interior Design, Miami University

Rethinking the college major could help colleges better understand what employers and students need.Westend61/Getty Images

Colleges and universities are struggling to stay afloat.

The reasons are numerous: declining numbers of college-age students in much of the country, rising tuition at public institutions as state funding shrinks, and a growing...

What’s at risk for Arctic wildlife if Trump expands oil drilling in the fragile National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska

Written by Mariah Meek, Associate Professor of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University

Teshekpuk caribou graze in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. Bob Wick/BLM, CC BY

The largest tract of public land in the United States is a wild expanse of tundra and wetlands stretching across nearly 23 million acres of northern Alaska. It’s called the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, but despite its industrial-sounding name, the...

1 in 3 Florida third graders have untreated cavities – how parents can protect their children’s teeth

Written by Olga Ensz, Clinical Assistant Professor of Community Dentistry, University of Florida

Many Florida children lack access to routine dental care.Lu ShaoJi/Moment via Getty Images

“He hides his smile in every school photo,” Jayden’s mother told me, holding up a picture of her 6-year-old son.

I first met Jayden – not his real name – as a patient at the University of Florida community dental outreach program...

How can the James Webb Space Telescope see so far?

Written by Adi Foord, Assistant Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

This is a James Webb Space Telescope image of NGC 604, a star-forming region about 2.7 million light-years from Earth.NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com.

How does the camera on the James Webb Space Telescope...

From the marriage contract to breaking the glass under the chuppah, many Jewish couples adapt their weddings to celebrate gender equality

Written by Samira Mehta, Associate Professor of Women and Gender Studies & Jewish Studies, University of Colorado Boulder

The ketubah is a binding document in Jewish law that traditionally spells out a groom's responsibilities toward his wife − but that many couples adapt to be more egalitarian.PowerSiege/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Traditional Jewish weddings share one key aspect with traditional Christian weddings. Historically, the ceremony was essentially a...

Universities in every state care for congressional papers that document US political history − federal cuts put their work at risk

Written by Katherine Gregory, Assistant Professor, University Libraries, Mississippi State University

The papers of members of Congress are fertile ground for research into Congress’ role in shaping U.S. history.cunfek, iStock/Getty Images Plus

In 1971, the president of Mississippi State University, Dr. William L. Giles, invited President Richard Nixon to attend the dedication of U.S. Sen. John C. Stennis’ papers to the university...

Iran emerged weakened and vulnerable after war with Israel − and that could mean trouble for country’s ethnic minorities

Written by Shukriya Bradost, Ph.D. Student of Planning, Governance and Globalization, Virginia Tech

Iranians celebrate the ceasefire in downtown Tehran, but many blame their own leaders for the escalation.Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The 12-day confrontation between Iran and Israel in June 2025 may not have escalated into a full-scale regional war, but it marks a potentially critical turning point in Iran’s internal political...

Supreme Court upholds childproofing porn sites

Written by Meg Leta Jones, Associate Professor of Technology Law & Policy, Georgetown University

The Supreme Court greenlights states' efforts to block kids from online porn by requiring age verification.AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

The U.S. Supreme Court handed down a decision on June 27, 2025, that will reshape how states protect children online. In a case assessing a Texas law requiring age verification to access porn sites, the court...