The Conversation

Disinformation is spreading beyond the realm of spycraft to become a shady industry – lessons from South Korea

Written by K. Hazel Kwon, Associate Professor of Journalism and Digital Audiences, Arizona State University

Efforts to reduce tensions between the Koreas, like the 2018 inter-Korean summit, are frequently the target of disinformation campaigns in South Korea.AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon

Disinformation, the practice of blending real and fake information with the goal of duping a government or influencing public opinion, has its origins in the Soviet Union. But...

What is Zakat? A scholar of Islam explains

Written by Iqbal Akhtar, Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Florida International University

Giving a portion of one's wealth annually is part of the spiritual practice in Islam. gahsoon/E+ via Getty Images

Muslims see wealth as a gift and a divine dispensation. The Quran urges individuals to share their wealth and income with those of lesser means. Almsgiving is one of the five pillars of Islam – a fundamental practice within the...

Steve Bannon indicted over Jan. 6 panel snub, pushing key question over presidential power to the courts

Written by Jennifer Selin, Kinder Institute Assistant Professor of Constitutional Democracy, University of Missouri-Columbia

Bannon faces potential jail time for contempt of Congress.Bryan Smith/AFP via Getty Images

Former Trump ally Steve Bannon faces possible fines and time behind bars after being indicted on two counts of contempt of Congress.

The criminal charges, announced on Nov. 12, 2021, by the Department of Justice, follow a vote by the House of Representatives...

The ‘great resignation’ is a trend that began before the pandemic – and bosses need to get used to it

Written by Ian O. Williamson, Dean of the Paul Merage School of Business, University of California, Irvine

Employers are having a harder time recruiting new workers. AP Photo/Marta Lavandier

Finding good employees has always been a challenge - but these days it’s harder than ever. And it is unlikely to improve anytime soon.

The so-called quit rate – the share of workers who voluntarily leave their jobs – hit a new record of 3% in...

Fewer diabetes patients are picking up their insulin prescriptions – another way the pandemic has delayed health care for many

Written by Ismaeel Yunusa, Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences, University of South Carolina

The pandemic has made it harder for diabetes patients to receive the ongoing care they need.Maskot/Maskot via Getty Images

Insulin is as essential as water for many people with diabetes. Of the more than 30 million Americans with diabetes, approximately 7.4 million rely on insulin to manage their condition. But it is one of the most costly drugs on...

Neurotoxins in the environment are damaging human brain health – and more frequent fires and floods may make the problem worse

Written by Arnold R. Eiser, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Drexel University

Wildfire smoke contains a mixture of toxic pollutants that can be harmful to both the lungs and the brain. Bloomberg Creative/ Bloomberg Creative Photos via Getty Images

In the summer of 2021, a toxic, smoky haze stemming from Western wildfires wafted across large parts of the United States, while hurricanes wrought extensive flooding in the...

The FDA's lax oversight of research in developing countries can do harm to vulnerable participants

Written by C. Michael White, Distinguished Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut

Nearly 80% of participants in FDA-reviewed research trials live in foreign countries.Bet_Noire/iStock via Getty Images

The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.

The Big Idea

The Food and Drug Administration provides less stringent oversight of overseas research trials used in deciding whether to approve a drug than those...

Transgender and gender diverse teens: How to talk to and support them

Written by Thalia Plata, Editorial Intern

The webinar speakers, Jules Gill-Peterson (left) and Kacie Kidd.courtesy of the scholars

Transgender youth have been around long before the word transgender has. Yet today, transgender teens are increasingly visible in society. For parents and caregivers, knowing how to talk to their children about gender can present a steep learning curve.

The...

Hip-hop's love-hate relationship with education

Written by Nolan Jones, Adjunct Professor of Education, Mills College

Hip-hop has always criticized America's education system. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The richest men in hip-hop never finished college.

Jay-Z – who is regarded as hip-hop’s first billionaire – never graduated from high school.

Kanye West – who is considered hip-hop’s second billionaire &n...

Chief Keef changed the music industry – and it's time he gets the credit he deserves

Written by Jabari Evans, Assistant Professor of Race and Media, University of South Carolina

It’s been 10 years since Chief Keef became an internet famous rapper with the song 'Bang.'Johnny Nunez/WireImage via Getty Images

Before he was arrested in December 2011, Chief Keef was a 16-year-old budding rap star. He’d released a song, “Bang,” which had more than 400,000 views on YouTube, along with a mixtape that...