The Conversation

How limiting Latin Mass may become the defining moment for Pope Francis

Written by Steven P. Millies, Associate Professor of Public Theology and Director of The Bernardin Center, Catholic Theological Union

Pope Francis is presiding over a divided church.Grzegorz Galazka/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

Pope Francis took sudden steps on July 16, 2021, to curtail the traditional Latin Mass, in an abrupt reversal of his predecessor’s policy.

To non-Catholics – and many Catholics – the decision may seem on first glance to be a...

In times of stress, turning to contemplation can be helpful – here's why religions emphasize rest

Written by Kristen Lucken, Lecturer in Religious Studies, Brandeis University

Most religions emphasize rest and contemplation.Geovien So/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Over a year of dealing with COVID-19 has left a lasting imprint on our daily lives. The pandemic disrupted usual work routines, with the majority of Americans having to work from home for long spells. While working from home has some hidden benefits,...

There's a long history of dances being pilfered for profit – and TikTok is the latest battleground

Written by Jill Vasbinder, Senior Lecturer in Dance, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Laying claim to a dance isn't as straightforward as doing the same for a poem.Tara Moore via Getty Images

In January 2020, 14-year-old Jalaiah Harmon created what would become one of the biggest viral dance sensations on TikTok.

But few users knew that Harmon, who is Black, invented the dance, which she dubbed the Renegade – at least not...

The Trump administration feuded with state and local leaders over pandemic response – now the Biden administration is trying to turn back a page in history

Written by Ana Maria Dimand, Assistant Professor of Public Policy and Administration, Boise State University

President Biden and Vice President Harris met on Feb. 12, 2021, with governors and mayors to discuss supporting them in the fight against COVID-19. Pete Marovich-Pool/Getty Images

As the U.S. recovers from the pandemic, the Biden administration is working to rebuild relationships across levels of government, from the top to the bottom, that were...

This is what happens to child migrants found alone at the border, from the moment they cross into the US until age 18

Written by Randi Mandelbaum, Distinguished Clinical Professor of Law, Rutgers University

Unaccompanied immigrant minors wait for Border Patrol processing after they crossed the Rio Grande into Roma, Texas, April 29, 2021. John Moore/Getty Images

A record number of child migrants have arrived alone at the United States’ southern border this year.

As of June 30, 2021, with three months remaining in the U.S. government’s...

Pandemic has teens feeling worried, unmotivated and disconnected from school

Written by Leah M. Lessard, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity, University of Connecticut

Students nearing the end of high school worried about their schoolwork and education more than younger students.Al Seib / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

When the COVID-19 pandemic started, many U.S. teens were more worried about the disruption to their education than the possibility of getting sick. A May 2020 survey of high school students...

DACA in doubt after court ruling: 3 questions answered

Written by Kevin Johnson, Dean and Professor of Public Interest Law and Chicana/o Studies, University of California, Davis

Three DACA recipients hold pictures of themselves as children newly arrived in the United States at a congressional meeting, Sept. 6, 2017.Jose Luis Magan/AP Photo

Editor’s note: A federal court in Texas delivered a blow to an Obama-era federal program shielding hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as...

Screentime can make you feel sick – here are ways to manage cybersickness

Written by Angelica Jasper, PhD Candidate in Human Computer Interaction, Iowa State University

Your devices can trigger symptoms similar to motion sickness.Bakal/Stock via Getty Images Plus

Do you ever feel like the light of your computer screen is burrowing into your eyes and making your head pulse? Or feel dizzy or nauseous after looking at your phone? While you might think these sensations are just eye strain or fatigue from looking at...

Canceling student loan debt will barely boost the economy, but a targeted approach could help certain groups

Written by William Chittenden, Presidential Fellow, Texas State University

Already the Biden administration has forgiven nearly $3 billion of student loan debt from 113,000 borrowers. Paul Morigi/Getty Images for We The 45 Million

At the end of June 2021, 43 million borrowers – or about 14% of all adults in the U.S. – owed approximately US$1.59 trillion in outstanding federal student loans. Although in many...

Should fully immunized people wear masks indoors? An infectious disease physician weighs in

Written by Peter Chin-Hong, Associate Dean for Regional Campuses, University of California, San Francisco

Masking indoors will yet again be the new normal in Los Angeles County -- and possibly elsewhere in the U.S.Lourdes Balduque/ Moment via Getty Images

With the highly infectious delta coronavirus variant spreading at an alarming rate, the World Health Organization in late June 2021 urged people to again wear masks indoors – even those who are...