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Why Recession Fears Are Growing and What a Downturn Could Look Like (ABC News, December 2022). Recession fears are growing, even as households strained by inflation begin to find some relief. However, some economists think the U.S. will likely avert a recession altogether. Recession fears “are not particularly warranted,” Laurence Kotlikoff (CAS, Economics), told ABC News.
Emigrants From a Small Corner of China are Making an Outsize Mark Abroad (The Economist, December 2022) Joseph Fewsmith, Professor of International Relations and Political Science and expert on Chinese domestic policy, is cited from his work in Mao’s Invisible Hand to help describe the Wenzhounese, a prosperous sect of Chinese immigrants known for their affinity for family and commerce that has allowed them to succeed in outsized fashion in distant, foreign nations.
Yes, Filling Out Race on Forms Is Tiresome. Here’s Why It Matters (The Emancipator, December 2022). Neda Khoshkhoo, associate director of policy at the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research, and Jasmine Gonzales Rose, a law professor and policy chair, focus in this article on the idea that to root out racism, we need to talk about race even more than we already do.
Born of Eugenics, Can Standardized Testing Escape Its Past? (Popular Science, December 2022). High-stakes testing has struggled with overt and implicit biases. Should it still have a place in modern education? Boston University’s Ibram X. Kendi (CAS, History and Founder/Director of the Center for Antiracist Research) shares his thoughts on standardized testing in this article.
From Harmless Fun to Bipartisan Security Threat (Politico, December 2022). Kevin Gallagher (Pardee), director of the Global Development Policy Center at Boston University, told Global Insider that Pakistan, in the aftermath of historic flooding, is paying steep surcharges. “The IMF should pick up where the House of Representatives left off and suspend surcharges for all countries,” he said.
Reimagining the Police (The Boston Globe, December 2022). Spencer Piston (CAS, Political Science & CISS Affiliate) focuses on how alternatives to public safety are gaining momentum, but activists worry many of these ‘alternatives’ still involve police and don’t address root causes.
Age-Related Memory Loss: Can We Prevent or Even Reverse It? (Medical News Today, December 2022). Dr. Robert Reinhart (CAS, Psychological & Brain Sciences), was a corresponding author on a study focused on improving memory function. Reinhart explained: “We developed two brain stimulation protocols — one for selectively improving short-term memory via low-frequency parietal stimulation, and another protocol for selectively improving long-term memory via high-frequency prefrontal stimulation.”
How Will Inflation Affect the Economy in 2023? (BU Today, December 2022). Laurence Kotlikoff, A William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor (CAS, Economics), talks about inflation and the ever-changing economy as we head towards 2023.
IMF Shareholders Deeply Divided on Whether to Suspend Surcharges on Some Loans (Reuters, December 2022). Kevin Gallagher (Pardee Global Development Policy Center), says big shareholders should rethink their opposition, given the global economic outlook.
Don’t Do This With Your Retirement Funds — Unless You Want to Pay Tax (Los Angeles Times, December 2022). New research by economists at Boston University and the Federal Reserve has found that virtually all American workers ages 45 to 62 should wait beyond age 65 to start Social Security and more than 90% should wait until age 70.
Chinese Port Projects Along Africa’s Coasts Come with Environmental Costs, Study Finds (VOA, December 2022). Researchers from the Boston University Global Development Policy Center and other Universities conducted a study looking at the risks from 114 Chinese-funded coastal development projects over a 10-year period until 2019. “There are growing concerns regarding the potential deleterious impacts of this initiative on the environment and local and indigenous communities,” the study said.
How Native Advertising Misleads Readers and Damages Credibility (The Edge, December 2022). Michelle Amazeen (CAS, director of the Communication Research Center at Boston University & CISS Affiliate), demonstrates how poor enforcement and standardization of native advertising damages journalistic integrity and muddles real reporting.
Gen Zers are taking on more debt, roommates, and jobs as their economy gets worse and worse (Insider, December 2022). Professor Laurence Kotlikoff (CAS, Economics) discusses that due to savings challenges and rising costs, “over half of Gen Z could enter retirement without sufficient savings.”
Who Will Care for ‘Kinless’ Seniors? (The New York Times, December 2022). Deborah Carr (CAS, Sociology & CISS Director) finds that “All the pathways to singlehood have grown.” The growing number of kinless seniors, who sometimes call themselves “elder orphans” or “solo agers,” worries researchers and advocates, because this group faces numerous disadvantages.
New Delhi must capitalise on Asean’s eagerness to engage (Hindustan Times, November 2022). Manjari Chatterjee Miller, associate professor of international relations in the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, highlights that Asean’s success can be largely attributed to member-countries’ choice to band together and integrate their economics. Their collective unity wields more clout than each individual member could hope to assert.
Biden is reviving a lost Democratic industrial policy playbook (The Washington Post, November 2022). In this op-ed, BU History Ph.D. candidate Henry Tonks suggests an important question: Why was the Democratic industrial policy playbook abandoned? He scaffolds his argument with a useful explanation of the playbooks’ origins in the 1980s.
Why is Marriage Consistently Disappointing for Women? (BU Arts & Sciences, November 2022). Opting Out, a new book co-edited by Professor Joanna Davidson (CAS, Anthropology & CISS Affiliate) reveals conditions that make the widespread phenomenon of women opting out of marriage possible in places where marriage has long been obligatory. In celebration of the book’s launch, Davidson shares insight as to how a group of women came together to document and share the cultural shift in perspective on marriage around the world.
Waiting to Collect Social Security Can Net You an Extra $180,000 (Money, December 2022). BU researchers within the College of Arts and Sciences (
Gen Z wants equality, diversity, and flexibility at work, but it may cause them to sacrifice financial security (Insider, December 2022). Professor Laurence Kotlikoff (CAS, Economics) speaks on the consequences of Gen Zers’ focus on a company’s mission and job security during their job searches. He warns “over half of Gen Z could enter retirement without sufficient savings because of savings challenges and rising costs.”
China’s infrastructure loans are putting overseas marine habitats and locals at risk, study warns (South China Morning Post, December 2022). Senior Academic Researcher at the Boston University Global Development Policy Center Rebecca Ray discusses the rise in recent concern over harm to marine habitats and local communities from China’s overseas infrastructure investments.
Globalization has been breaking down for a while – here’s what could end it (CNBC, December 2022). Economist Kevin Gallagher (Pardee), director of the Global Development Policy Center at Boston University, illustrates why economists think globalization is fragmenting – and what lies ahead. “I think there’s been a globalization bubble, and we’re trying to correct it.”
Royal troubles cast shadow over William and Kate’s US tour (The Guardian, December 2022) History professor Arianne J. Chernock, whose research focus includes British history and the monarchy, describes how racially tinged blow-ups and Harry and Meghan’s relationship have necessitated “savvy and humility” from William and Kate that “perhaps the royal family is not accustomed to.”
‘The Crown’: The Story of Mohamed Al-Fayed and His Valet (The New York Times, November 2022) Arianne J. Chernock—Boston University history professor and scholar of modern Britain—comments on the portrayal of the historical Al-Fayeds in popular television series The Crown and the Royal Family’s unique relationship with outsiders.
Prince and Princess of Wales to Visit Boston as the Royal Family Recasts Itself (The New York Times, November 2022) History professor Arianne J. Chernock, whose research focus includes British history and the monarchy, shares her detailed interpretation of how the Prince and Princess’s visit to Boston is being used to redefine how both their image will be seen globally and at home.
Will and Kate’s Big Night Out (In Boston) (The Cut, December 2022) Arianne J. Chernock—Boston University history professor and scholar of modern Britain — told the New York Times that the future king and queen’s “tall task” is to show how in tune this new era of Windsors is with “core, weighty issues and maintain a sense of relevance, as well as a connection with their subjects and global population to justify their existence.”
Boston City Council Moves to Lower Voting Age for Municipal Elections (CBS Boston, December 2022). Boston University law professor Kate Silbaugh says teens may be mature enough to vote but lowering the vote could cause legal issues by causing a clash between the Constitutional rights of parents and protected political speech.
Prince and Princess of Wales Arrive in Boston With Eye on Environment Prize (WBUR, November 2022). Boston University professor Arianne Chernock, an expert in modern British history, provides insight on William and Kate’s visit to Boston. “We have to pay really careful attention to the ways, in the absence of Queen Elizabeth, that they present themselves to the public anew,” says Chernock.
Hero Worship: What Happens When Jobs Are Suddenly Moralized (Knowledge at Wharton, November 2022). Michel Anteby, Professor of Management & Organizations at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, co-authored the paper “Heroes from Above but Not (Always) from Within? Gig Workers’ Reactions to the Sudden Moralization of Their Work,” the latest in a series of studies Lindsey Cameron (Wharton management professor) has conducted on the gig economy.
This Frequently Used Social Security Strategy Could Cost You $182,000 (CBS News, November 2022). Laurence J. Kotlikoff (CAS Economics) provides insight on Social Security and financial strategies that can help delay when Social Security is claimed, “which will boost lifetime discretionary income”.
Districts Are Spending More Per Student. Here’s How to Make Sure All of Them Benefit (Education Week, November 2022). Andrew Bacher-Hicks (SED) analyzed Massachusetts teacher licensure records after June 2020. As a result, Bacher-Hicks found Black and Hispanic students are now 12 percentage points more likely to have a teacher of their same racial or ethnic background.
My Son’s Autism Is Profound — And More Common Than You Think (WBUR, November 2022). Nazli Kibria (CAS Sociology) discusses the life of herself and her son, and the overlooked crisis of care for adults with profound autism, stating how it is largely invisible in our society, making it easier for us to overlook and neglect their needs.“For the adults with disabilities (and their families) who rely on them, the absence of services is like an earthquake …”.
A Major Hedge Fund Fears ‘Hyperinflation’ in Some Developing Nations. This Is Why It Could Still Affect America. (Insider, November 2022). The director of Boston University’s Global Development Policy Center Kevin Gallagher (Pardee) tells Insider that a combination of factors leading to hyperinflation could set off a set of events that stretch across the global economy and back to the States.
COP27 Roundup: What Went Wrong and What Happens Next (The Conversation, November 2022). Adil Najam, Dean Emeritus of the Pardee School of Global Studies and Professor of International Relations and Earth & Environment, comments on the establishment of a loss and damage funding facility at the UN climate change summit. This would pay the world’s most vulnerable regions for the ravages of climate change that they cannot adapt to, such as mounting storms, droughts and floods.
Should You Watch the 2022 FIFA World Cup despite Host Qatar’s “Serious Human Rights Problems”? (The Brink, November 2022) Henrik Selin, Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Studies in the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, a football fan and expert on global governance and institutions shares his opinions on the controversial decision to host the World Cup in Qatar.
Playing With Fire: Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Risks Sparking New European Bloodbath in the Balkans, Warns Ex-nato Ambassador (The Sun, November 2022). Vesko Garčević, former ambassador of Montenegro for NATO and a professor at Boston University, warned Russia-linked Serbia is “playing with fire” when speaking to The Sun Online. ”Serbia will want to escalate this as much as they can, and if they go further, it could spiral out of control”, says Garčević, who urges the US, UK, and UN to become more involved in pre-emptive action.
Fact Check: China Leads the World in Coal Plant Expansion, but Post Overstates Tally (USA Today, November 2022). This article addresses a post that misstates findings of the Boston University’s Global Development Policy Center’s recent study on overseas Chinese power capacity.
Social Security recipients are missing out on $182,000 by claiming too early, study finds (Market Watch, November 2022) Research by Laurence Kotlikoff, William Fairfield Warren Professor of Economics, and co. is referenced in describing widespread premature Social Security benefits claims.
‘Gray divorce’ brings struggles and a possibility of late-in-life reinvention (Boston Globe, November 2022) Steven Sandage, Professor of Psychology of Religion and Theology, describes some of the stresses now influencing late-in-life divorces.
On the Streets of China, the Cross Shone Bright (Christianity Today, November 2022). Daryl R. Ireland, Research Assistant Professor of Mission in Boston University’s School of Theology, writes about Chinese Christian posters that boldly proclaimed salvation, freedom, and hope amid a tumultuous political period.
Call ‘Tough on Crime’ What It Is: A Tool of Racial Oligarchy (The Emancipator, November 2022). Phillipe Copeland, Clinical Associate Professor at Boston University’s School of Social Work and Assistant Director of Narrative at the BU Center for Antiracist Research, writes a call to action to block backlash and out-organize racial oligarchy. Copeland stresses the importance of dismantling structures that oppress and replacing them with structures that liberate.
Airbnb Is More Successful Than Ever. Why Is Everyone So Mad at It? (The Washington Post, November 2022). Makarand Mody, an associate professor of hospitality marketing at Boston University who studies Airbnb, shares insight on how complaints about the pricing of Airbnbs have bubbled up over the years.
Princess Diana Confided in Andrew Morton. What More Is There to Divulge? (The Washington Post, November 2022). Arianne Chernock, Professor of History at Boston University, reviews Andrew Morton’s new biography of Queen Elizabeth II, The Queen: Her Life.
How To Help Veterans Who Are Homeless (Futurity, November 11, 2022). Thomas Byrne, an associate professor in the Boston University School of Social Work, is an expert on homelessness, and among the researchers studying why veterans are more likely to land in shelters—and how to better help them. “One way to help veterans who are homeless is to advocate for more affordable housing.”
Despite historic campaigns, no Black women won Senate or governor races in 2022 midterms (USA Today, November 2022) Christine Slaughter, Professor of Political Science, shares voting patterns and biases that explain the recent losses of Black women political candidates.
The cost of retirement is rising, and many Americans will have to work longer than they planned. Here are the 10 industries with the highest share of older workers. (Insider, November 2022) Laurence J. Kotlikoff (CAS Economics) suggests that due to the rising costs associated with retirement, a majority of boomers could enter retirement age without enough savings.
Welcome to the ‘Age of Adaptation’ (Boston Globe, November 2022) Adil Najam, Dean Emeritus of the Pardee School of Global Studies and Professor of International Relations and Earth & Environment, writes an opinion piece that confronts the issue of climate change procrastination. In light of global climate crises, including recent flooding of Pakistan, Najam speaks of the world’s realization that climate change has current ramifications that must be addressed.
Africa needs more help with its Chinese debts (Vanguard, November 2022) Alongside other universities, Boston University’s Global Development Policy Center shares data on countries like Ethiopia, struggling with debt to China.
U.S.-China global influence battle takes center stage at COP27 (Politico, November 2022). “Climate is a global collective action problem…but we’re starting to see indications that China is trying to go it alone,” said Cecilia Han Springer, assistant director of Boston University’s Global China Initiative and an expert on Chinese industrial decarbonization. “It makes me worry about the future U.S.-China climate cooperation.”
With Musk at the helm, tweeting the boss may actually change Twitter (The Washington Post, November 2022). Musk’s Twitter celebrity amounts to free advertising for his car company, Tesla, which has a long-standing policy against paying for advertising, said Michelle Amazeen, the director of the Communication Research Center at Boston University.
Joe Rogan admits schools don’t have litter boxes for kids who ‘identify’ as furries (The Guardian, November 2022). Michelle Amazeen, director of the Communication Research Center at Boston University, said that these bogus rumors typically trickled up from fringe sites that lack credibility. “This story exemplifies the intertwined nature of digital, social and mainstream news media,” she said. Amazeen also touches on fake news.
As COP27 kicks off, Egypt warns wealthy nations against ‘backsliding’ (Nature, November 2022). Adil Najam, Dean Emeritus of the Pardee School of Global Studies and Professor of International Relations and Earth & Environment, thinks it is unlikely that compensation controversy will be resolved in Egypt, and says that the politics will probably get messy. He adds that loss-and-damage finance can no longer be avoided by the high-income countries, especially given that climate impacts in vulnerable countries are becoming much more visible and severe.
Gaming Google: Oil firms use search ads to greenwash, study says (Reuters, November 2022). Michelle Amazeen, a professor who studies native advertising and leads the Communication Research Center at Boston University, comments on Google’s ad product: “While most people see Google as a reliable place to do their own research, few read beyond the first page of results, making these kinds of ads especially influential.”
Are community board meetings the height of democracy or a ‘Parks and Rec’ satire? (Fast Company, November 2022). Maxwell Palmer, an associate professor of political science at Boston University, studied housing meeting participants in districts in the Boston area in 2017. His findings underscore that those with more resources are overrepresented in these meetings. “This really is concerning, because who’s being heard at the decision-making level is very different from the broader policy views,” Palmer says.
How will Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter impact democracy? Media experts weigh in (GBH, November 2022). Michelle Amazeen, director of the Communication Research Center at Boston University, questioned Musk’s business strategy. She said it appears that Musk thinks Twitter isn’t being used properly to generate profit, so he’s adding additional money-makers such as requiring payment to be verified. Amazeen said Musk should gather a diverse advisory board to help him navigate Twitter’s next steps.
Is the IMF fit for purpose? (The Guardian, November 2022). This article mentions a 2020 study by the Global Development Policy Center at Boston University, where researchers found that borrowers that had prior loan arrangements with China tended to get more lenient treatment from the IMF.
What action is needed for an antiracist future? (Al Jazeera, November 2022) Ibram X. Kendi (CAS, History and Founder/Director of the Center for Antiracist Research) speaks about his journey of advocacy against the evils of racism and examines the power of antiracism as a force for positive change.
Is the IMF fit for purpose? (The Guardian, November 2022) A 2020 study by The Global Development Policy Center is cited, describing the IMF as undergoing real changes, not from ideological shifts alone, but from competition for its business.
Is Inflation Biden’s Fault? Could Tax Cuts Fix It? Here’s What We Know (TIME, October 2022) Robert Kaufmann, professor of Earth & Environment, shares his thoughts on factors of the economy’s inflation and the Biden administration.
Ibram X. Kendi Wants Children, and Teachers, to Challenge How History Is Taught (BU Today, October 2022) Ibram X. Kendi (CAS, History and Founder/Director of the Center for Antiracist Research) wants children to question and challenge the history they are being taught in school or told by their elders. And more importantly, Kendi wants educators to incorporate more difficult questions about history into their lessons, rather than simply continuing to teach history as it’s been taught for generations.
Report: Mass. Housing Affordability Problems Worsening (WHDH, October 2022) Katherine Levine Einstein (Professor of Political Science; Director of Undergraduate Studies) called on the state government to ramp up centralized management and monitoring of subsidized housing and do more to enforce fair housing regulations.
Greater Boston Housing Earns “Failing Grade” in Annual Report Card (The Brink, October 2022) Katherine Levine Einstein (Professor of Political Science; Director of Undergraduate Studies) interviews on the new 2022 Boston Housing Report Card which she contributed to. She communicates the importance of basic data collection for subsidized housing and necessity of increasing housing supply.
When Soup and Mashed Potatoes Are Thrown, Can the Earth Win? (New York Times, October 2022) Benjamin Sovacool (Director of BU’s Institute for Global Sustainability (IGS); Professor in Earth & Environment) comments on the efficacy of recent gastronomical assaults on famous art in protesting against climate change.
‘Alternate realities’: Democrats and Republicans smear each other as ‘fascists.’ Is either right? (USA Today, October 2022) Jonathan Zatlin (CAS History) suggests “the only thing people agree on is that fascism is a bad thing” in his interpretation of use of the word “fascist” in modern US politics.
‘A failing grade:’ Boston housing ‘report card’ illustrates depth of crisis (The Boston Herald, October 2022) Katherine Levine Einstein (Professor of Political Science; Director of Undergraduate Studies) discusses the lack of housing, subsidized and otherwise; unequal distribution of the units; and a lack of accessible affordable housing data in Boston.
New book details Sen. Ted Kennedy’s efforts to cover up Chappaquiddick crash (MassLive, October 2022) Tom Whalen (CGS Social Science) comments on new material detailing Ted Kennedy’s attempt to cover up his infamous crash. “This is stuff he didn’t have time to clean up and edit before publishing, or maybe he didn’t want to publish it.”
Emissions from China-invested overseas coal plants equal to whole of Spain – research (Reuters, October 2022) Boston University research shows Chinese companies and government-run investment banks overseas power generation capacity and that a recent pledge to end overseas coal-financing is having an effect.
BU Launches New Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Major (BU Today, October 2022) Political science professor and CISS Steering Committee member Timothy Longman will oversee the new major. “This has become a topic that is not just unavoidable, but something that we have a moral responsibility to tackle,” says Longman, who worked in Rwanda in the 1990s and knows whereof he speaks.
Analysis: Poor nations face peril over elusive G-20 debt relief push (Reuters, October 2022) Professor Kevin Gallagher (Pardee), director of BU’s Global Development Policy Center, comments on the stagnant progress in debt relief for the world’s poorest nations, saying that “we can compel the private sector to come to the table through carrots and sticks and we’re just not willing to do it.”
BU Sociologist Saida Grundy on “Respectability Politics” and the Morehouse Man (The Brink, October 2022) Saida Grundy, Assistant Professor of Sociology and African American Studies, interviews for her new book that examines Morehouse College’s narrow definition of black masculinity. In the interview, Professor Grundy describes her book as analyzing “how respectability politics actually structure and organize gender troubles and class troubles within the race, because there are high stakes involved in who gets to represent the race.”
The Death Artist. (Longreads, October 2022). Deborah Carr (CAS, Sociology & CISS Director) discusses the changing culture of death, dying, and funeral rites in the U.S.
History May Absolve the Soup Throwers (New York Times, October 2022). Benjamin Sovacool, Director of the Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability (IGS) and a Professor in the Department of Earth & Environment, discusses the pros and cons of climate militancy and coming down in favor of considering a full range of options, including civil disobedience and guerrilla warfare.
Analysis: Overlapping crises add urgency for IMF, World Bank resources, reforms (Reuters, October 2022). Economist Kevin Gallagher (Pardee), director of the Global Development Policy Center at Boston University, stresses the importance of taking action in the face of the current global financial crisis.
Enter the Other Swing Voter: the mighty 8% (Emancipator, October 2022). Data released by the BU Center for Antiracist Research reveals why young, undecided voters can make or break an election — if they don’t allow fear and apathy to stop them from going to the polls.
‘Respectable: Politics and Paradox in Making the Morehouse Man’ (InsideHigherEd, October 2022) Saida Grundy, Assistant Professor of Sociology and African American Studies and Director of Admissions, interviews for her new book, Respectable, that examines the prototypical “Morehouse man” and Morehouse College’s influence in stereotyping what Black manhood should conform to.
Who’s going to be the next world’s economic power? Here’s what this famed economist is now saying — and one possible surprise (MarketWatch, October 17, 2022) New research co-authored by Laurence Kotlikoff (CAS Economics) suggests that China and India may be set to supersede the US to become the world’s two largest economic powers by 2100.
Election deniers, doubters seeking to control elections in several Western states (Lincoln Journal Star, October 2022) Bruce Schulman, William E. Huntington Professor of History in CAS, stresses the risk posed to democratic institutions. “The big question is what happens when push comes to shove, when those people who are not true believers, will either have to stand up for democratic practices or join the authoritarian bandwagon.”
Millennials and Gen Z counting on a 401(k) to get them through retirement are in for a rude awakening, TIAA head says. (INSIDER, October 2022). Laurence Kotlikoff (CAS Economics) predicts that Gen Z and millennials will see a retirement crisis.
Wealthy millennials aren’t relying on the stock market. Here’s how their investment portfolios break down. (INSIDER, October 2022). On cryptocurrency being the best investment, Laurence Kotlikoff (CAS Economics) describes real estate as an “excellent inflation hedge,” because it comes with a tax break, insulates buyers from changes in rent and housing prices, and diversifies one’s investments.
What will happen to America if Trump wins again? Experts weigh in. (Boston Globe, October 2022). Ibram X. Kendi (CAS, History and Founder/Director of the Center for Antiracist Research) speaks about the immediate concerns of Trump returning to the presidency. “It would provide the greatest domestic terrorist threat of our time – violent white-supremacist organizations – the ability to rebuild and spread and engage in even more violence and terror.”
Protecting Our Elders From Hurricane Ian and Beyond (Atmos Earth, October 2022) Deborah Carr (CAS, Sociology & CISS Director) speaks about how, as a society, we undervalue older adults. She comments, “Whether it’s the storm or whether it’s COVID, there’s still this conversation that goes something like this: They were old. They were going to die anyhow.”
Elon Musk Says He Wants To Buy Twitter for $44 Billion. Is the Twitter Deal Back On? (USA Today, October 2022) Jessica Silby, professor of law, argues that the lawsuit between Twitter and Musk will theoretically be settled or dismissed if Musk purchases twitter for the prior agreed-upon purchasing price.
AI vs. Algorithms (eweek, October 2022) Michelle Amazeen, associate professor of mass Communication, advertising, and, public relations) takes a look at how AI and algorithms are tied together, along with their roles in security, HR, and human judgment.
Risk-Taking in Kids Varies By Socioeconomic Background (Futurity, October 2022) This article highlights a recent study conducted by Peter R. Blake (CAS Psychological & Brain Sciences) titled, Developmental Risk Sensitivity Theory: The Effects of Socio-Economic Status of Children’s Risky Gain and Loss Decisions, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B (Biological Sciences). The manuscript can be found here.
2022’s Best Foodie Cities in America (WalletHub, October 3, 2022) Makarand Mody, associate professor of hospitality marketing, provides tips to foodies on a tight budget, the top five indicators to evaluate the best foodie cities for your wallet, and inflation effects.
China Tightens Lending Taps, Leaving African Markets Vulnerable (Bloomberg, October 2022) Research from the Boston University’s Global Development Policy Center evaluates how slowing growth is forcing Beijing to scale back investment and how African countries face debt distress as borrowing costs soar.
Why Do Some Kids Take Bigger Risks Than Others? (MedicalXpress, October 2022) This article highlights a recent study conducted by Peter R. Blake (CAS Psychological & Brain Sciences) titled, Developmental Risk Sensitivity Theory: The Effects of Socio-Economic Status of Children’s Risky Gain and Loss Decisions, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B (Biological Sciences). The manuscript can be found here.
Why Do Some Children Take Bigger Risks Than Others? (Earth.com, October 2022) This article highlights a recent study conducted by Peter R. Blake (CAS Psychological & Brain Sciences) titled, Developmental Risk Sensitivity Theory: The Effects of Socio-Economic Status of Children’s Risky Gain and Loss Decisions, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B (Biological Sciences). The manuscript can be found here.
Why Do Some Kids Take Bigger Risks than Others? (BU Today, September 2022) This article highlights a recent study conducted by Peter R. Blake (CAS Psychological & Brain Sciences) titled, Developmental Risk Sensitivity Theory: The Effects of Socio-Economic Status of Children’s Risky Gain and Loss Decisions, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B (Biological Sciences). The manuscript can be found here.
Biden is Wrong About the Pandemic Being Over (The Progressive Magazine, September 2022) Joe Harris (CAS Sociology) writes that Biden is ignoring the true cost of letting covid-19 proliferate. He argues that we are compounding “the risk that repeated infection will post to people’s physical health – and ultimately the nation’s fiscal health.”
Rich Kids Take Fewer Risks: Children From Wealthy Background Are Less Likely To take Risks To Secure A Prizer Than Their Poorer Peers (DailyMail, September 2022) This article highlights a recent study conducted by Peter R. Blake (CAS Psychological & Brain Sciences) titled, Developmental Risk Sensitivity Theory: The Effects of Socio-Economic Status of Children’s Risky Gain and Loss Decisions, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B (Biological Sciences). The manuscript can be found here.
With COVID aid, schools try something new: giving students jobs (Chalkbeat, September 2022) Mary Elizabeth Collins, a professor at Boston University who has studied workforce development for vulnerable youth shares her thoughts on starting career preparation at early ages and its benefits.
As Stocks Flag and Home Prices Dip, Consumers Spend Less, Spend Different (Marketplace, September 2022) Adam Guren, assistant professor of economics, discusses how high-interest rates limit the way people can spend the home equity they have built.
What is the Greatest Threat to Human Health from Climate Change? (BU Arts & Sciences, September 2022). Benjamin Siegel, associate professor of history and associate department chair at Boston University, discusses anthropogenic climate change and its effects on future crops and production.
Duke Energy Is On Of The Top Leakers Of A Gas That Is 25,000 Times More Polluting Than Carbon Dioxide, EPA Records Show (NBC News, September 2022) Benjamin Sovacool, professor of earth and environment and director of the Institute for Global Sustainability, notes that there are feasible substitutes for every single F gas, stating “They’re man-made, You can make other ones.”
Internet Backs Woman Who Made Teenage Niece Feel ‘Like a Monster’ (Newsweek, September 2022). Deborah Carr (CAS, Sociology & CISS Director) discusses the emotional impacts of a child’s death.
Biden’s Silent Mourning of the Queen (Politico, September 2022) Arianne Chernock, professor of history and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences, speaks about Biden’s attendance at the Queen’s funeral is historic. She notes that President Truman and Johnson did not attend high profile British funerals during their term.
Was Elizabeth the Queen of America? This Week It Seemed Like It. (NY Times, September 2022) Arianne Chernock, professor of history and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences, discusses American fascination from King George III to Queen Elizabeth II.
Tourism Brought Boston’s Hotel Markey Back to Life This Summer, But Business Travel Still Lags (Bisnow, September 2022) Makarand Mody, CISS affiliate and faculty member at the School of Hospitality Administration, discussed the bounce back within the Boston tourism sector after a few years of living with COVID-19.
What Will Queen Elizabeth II’s Legacy Be? (BU Today, September 2022) Arianne Chernock, professor of history and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences, discusses distinguishing the Queen’s legacy as a monarch versus the broader experiences of her country. She highlights that the Queen was considered a stable, constant part of the British system, often able to stay above the fray.
In 1953, ‘Queen-crazy’ American Women Looked to Elizabeth II As A Source of Inspiration – That Sentiment Never Faded (The Conversation, September 2022) Arianne Chernock, professor of history and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences, speaks about why American women found Queen Elizabeth II to be inspirational. She writes, “At a time when women were, in many cases, expected to conform to traditional roles of a housewife and homemaker, Elizabeth was ascending the throne of a powerful country.”
Queen Elizabeth, and the Power and Limitation Of Inspiring Women (NY Times, September 2022) Arianne Chernock, professor of history and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences, argues that while the Queen likely did not see herself as a feminist she did provide a “quite alternative for women since she became queen.”
Analysis: China Debt Restructuring Policy Under Scrutiny as More Countries Demand Relief (Reuters, September 2022) Kevin Gallagher, professor of global development policy, discusses the China debt crisis. He argues that China is having a “real, healthy set of deliberations on how to deal with their first ever mammoth debt crisis.” He cautions that while deliberations are important, if Chinese officials do no act quickly, the crisis can get much worse very quickly.
Actually, Some People are Happier (And Healthier) Being Single (Buzzfeed, September 2022) Deborah Carr (CAS, Sociology & CISS Director) comments on how society encourages women to seek help, develop friendships, express their emotions and take care of others, leading them to have rich social lived and they tend to be left lonely overall. In heterosexual relationships, men often rely on women to help them develop thief social life, making being single more lonely for men.
There is No Road Map for the Longest Phase of Parenthood (The Atlantic, September 2022) Deborah Carr (CAS, Sociology & CISS Director) discusses how as children age, they establish a new relationship with their parents. These new relationships often have unclear rules and uncertain boundaries which can be challenges for both parties.
New Analysis: Vietnam and Afghanistan: America’s Tow Longest Wars, with Very Different Lasting Impacts (LA Times, September 2022) Bruce Schulman (CAS History) speaks about to professionalization of the military and the development of a professional military class that experiences of of the “dislocation and tensions involved in deploying to conflicts.”
Labor Day Survey: 87% of People Think They Should Get A Raise To Keep Up With Inflation (Wallet Hub, August 2022) Kevin Lang (CAS, Economics & CISS Affiliate) discusses a recent statistic: one in three Americans worried about their job security. Lang notes that this is higher than previous months and is spurred by government efforts to reduce the inflation rate.
U.S. Life Expectancy Declined Nearly A Year in 2021, Deepening Historic Slide (Time, August 2022) Andrew Stokes (SPH, Global Health & CISS Affiliate), assistant professor of global health, discusses how in most highly functioning public health and health care systems, countries’ death rates have rebounded, due to high vaccine uptake. The outlier is the United States.
Low Vaccine Booster Rates Are Now A Key Factor in Covid-19 Deaths – And Racial Disparities in Booster Rates Persist (The Conversation, August 2022) Andrew Stokes, assistant professor of global health and co-authors discuss new findings about Covid-19. Their preliminary analysis finds that individuals living in countries with lower booster vaccination rates experience higher death rates associated with Covid-19. They discuss how the booster campaign differs from the original vaccination campaigns in substantial ways which has lead to a lesser booster uptake. They suggest ways to better the campaign to increase vaccine booster uptake.
Ask Larry: Will My Earnings Affect My Wife’s Social Security Spousal Benefits? (Forbes, August 2022) Laurence Kotlikoff, professor of economics, breaks down the potential effect of a spouse’s benefits, changing benefit payment dates, and a foreign pensions on your pension.
IMF Fees on War-Torn Countries Closer to Elimination (Associated Press, August 2022) Kevin Gallagher (Pardee), professor of global development policy’s research on the drawbacks of IMF fees is highlight. Gallagher has argued that “forcing excessive repayments lowers the productive potential of the borrowing country, but also harms creditors” and requires borrowers “to pay more at exactly the moment when they are most squeezed from market access in any other form.”
Does “Vabbing” Work? The Truth About Vaginal Pheromones (PopSci, August 2022) Eva Garrett, assistant professor of anthropology, argues that pheromones are likely not playing into attraction between two individuals.
Social Security Blows It Again, But Ultimately Redeems Itself (Forbes, August 2022) Laurence Kotlikoff, professor of economics, discusses social security benefit calculators and benefit optimization calculators.
It’s Time to Repeal the ABA’s Law School Testing Mandate (Bloomberg Law, August 2022) Christopher Robertson, professor of law, and co-authors argue that the law school testing mandate prohibits law schools from individualizing admissions criteria. They argue that repealing the mandate would allow for flexibility and would allow law schools to have greater autonomy over their own admissions policies.
To Avert A Global Debt Crisis, IMF’s Reserve Assets Need Greater Support (The Hill, August 2022) Kevin Gallagher (Pardee), professor of global development policy, and co-author Lara Merling write about why and how the US should support the Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), the special reserve assets of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a way to provide relief to struggling economies around the world.
Ask Larry: Will Taking Spousal Benefits Affect My Social Security Benefit Rate (Forbes, August 2022) Laurence Kotlikoff, professor of economic, discusses whether spousal benefits can effect: (i) later retirement benefits, (ii) filing for both retirement benefits and survivor’s benefits and whether social security is moving payment days.
Breadbasket Diplomacy: Preserving Wheat As A Tool of American Statecraft (War on the Rocks, August 2022) Rosella Cappella Zielinski, associate professor of political science, discusses the weaponization of food, specifically in relation to the blockade of Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea. Cappella and co-author argue that the US needs to build up their wheat exporter capacity in preparation for future attempts by Russia to incite food crises.
Death Can Strike Unexpectedly: How to Prepare for the Worst. (Psychology Today, August 2022). Deborah Carr (CAS, Sociology & CISS Director) observes that Anne Heche’s tragic death may help other people to prepare for difficult end-of-life decisions including becoming an organ donor.
From Graying to Hair Loss, The Physical and Emotional Transformation of Hair As We Age Can Be A Journey (Southern California Public Radio KPCC, August 2022). Deborah Carr (CAS, Sociology & CISS Director) shares the reasons why ‘going gray’ has become more popular, and the benefits and costs of age-related changes in appearance.
Donald Trump Asked What the Difference Between the FBI Raid in Mar-a-Lago and Watergate. A Lot, According to Historians and Political Scientists. (Business Insider, August 2022) Bruce Shulman, professor of history, discusses the differences between the FBI raid in Mar-a-Largo and Watergate. He notes, “In one case, burglars hired by the Nixon campaign committee committed a crime…In the other, FBI agents, authorized by a federal judge, investigated a crime committed by someone else.”
How Government ‘Welcome’ Systems Fail Refugees (Futurity, August 2022) Heba Gowayed, assistant professor of sociology and CISS affiliate, discusses the faults in the U.S., Canadian, and German refugee systems.
Social Security Just Emailed Us About Their Website Upgrade? Here’s What They Didn’t Say (Forbes, August 2022) Laurence Kotlikoff, professor of economics, discusses the problems with the social security website, primarily that users still cannot accurately calculate their social security benefits.
Key Questions You Should Ask Before Deepening Your Relationship, According to Experts (CNN, August 2022) Deborah Carr, professor of sociology and CISS director, argues that in the beginning of many relationships logic goes out the window and that trying to change people isn’t the right route. She notes, “As people age, they become an amplified version of their younger selves. So if there’s a trait in your partner that agitates you when you’re 25, that trait will get larger and might be far, far more annoying when one is 50 — so really ask yourself about the good, the bad and the ugly and what you’re willing to accept and not accept in a relationship.”
Will The Cost of Housing Tank the Massachusetts Economy? (The Boston Globe, August 2022) Katherine Einstein and Maxwell Palmer, both associate professors of political science, discuss rising housing prices in Massachusetts, drawing on their recent research on local boards and zoning commissions.
The Mystery of America’s Stonehenge (MeatEater, August 2022) Curtis Runnels, professor of archeology, anthropology, and classical studies, discusses America’s Stonehenge in southeaster New Hampshire.
Ask Larry: Can My Wife Get Half of My Social Security Retirement Benefit Rate? (Forbes, July 2022) Laurence Kotlikoff, professor of economics, answers a reader’s question about survivors’ benefits and eligibility for spouses.
Combating Misinformation in the Age of Technology (BU Experts, July 2022) Michelle Amazeen (COM& CISS Affiliate), associate professor, and director of the Communications Research Center, discusses the work her and Gianluca Stringhini, assistant professor of engineering define misinformation, discuss the role of social media in promoting misinformation, consider how misinformation impacts society at large, and describes what we can do about it.
Hocus Focus: How Magicians Made a Fortune on Facebook (The Economist, July 2022) Ashley Mears (CAS, Sociology), professor of Sociology, writes about the tole that creating rival, addictive videos for social media takes on the creators of such content.
Boston University Offering Undergraduates a Major in African American and Black Diaspora Studies this Fall (Biz Journals, July 2022) Boston University has one of the oldest African American Studies programs, and now undergraduate students can choose to minor or major in African American and Black Diaspora Studies.
In Rural America, Covid Hits Black and Hispanic People Hardest (NY Times, July 2022) Andrew Stokes, assistant professor of global health, argues that Covid impacts rural areas and black and Hispanic communities. These healthcare inequities are persisting.
Separating Green Hydrogen’s Hope From Hype (WBUR, July 2022) Benjamin Sovacool, professor of earth and environment and director of the Institute for Global Sustainability, explains the benefits of green hydrogen. Sovacool draws his book, “Visions of Energy Futures: Imagining and Innovating Low-Carbon Transitions.”
Ibram X Kendi on How Antiracism Can Defeat Ted Crus: “His Political Life Rests on Racist Propaganda” (Salon, July 2022) Ibram X. Kendi (CAS, History and Founder/Director of the Center for Antiracist Research) discusses how anti-racist education can make people less vulnerable to the racist propaganda that individuals like Ted Cruz exploit to get votes.
Bird Is The Word For This Nature Loving BU Historian (BU Arts and Sciences, July 2022) James Johnson, professor of History, discusses his passion for bird watching and bird photography.
The Power of Short Breaks, Movement and Other Practices on Improving Mental Health – 4 Essential Reads (The Conversation, July 2022) Steven Sandage, professor of the psychology of religion and theology, discusses how therapy (more specifically psychotherapy and counseling) is less about alleviating suffering from anxiety and depression and more about improving human well being. He argues for positive psychology-informed approaches.
The Purpling of Massachusetts (Boston Magazine, July 26, 2022) Boston University Political Science faculty suggest that resistance to affordable housing efforts came from the grassroots level, with most people citing traffic and the environment as their reasons for apposing the projects.
‘Hidden’ Covid Fatalities Show US Death Investigations Need Reform (The Hill, July 2022) Andrew Stokes, assistant professor of global health, authored an article discussing how the US needs to modernize their death investigations system. He argues that the current system hindered the US response to Covid-19 and without reform, it will make it harder to prepare and contain the next pandemic.
Rates of Solitary Confinement of Incarcerated People with Mental Illness Three Times Higher (Medical Xpress, July 2022) Jessica T. Simes, assistant professor of sociology, discusses the impact of solitary confinement and its increasing use as a tool to control the incarcerated population.
‘Parentese’ Is Truly a Lingua Franca, A Global Study Finds (New York Times, July 2022) In a large study, involving over 40 researchers including Luke Glowacki (assistant professor of anthropology), researchers find that across culutures, we engage in parentese, or baby speak. One research commented, “We tend to speak in this higher pitch, high variability, like, ‘Ohh, heeelloo, you’re a baaybee!’”
The Claremont Institute Triumphed in the Trump Years. Then Came Jan. 6. (The Washington Post, July 2022) David Swartz, a visiting researcher within the Sociology Department, discusses the increasing role of the Claremont Institute during the Trump presidency.
Prosecute Trump? What Motivated the Mob? What Will Voters Say in November? (BU Today, July 2022) Heather Schoenfeld, associate professor of sociology, discusses the January 6th congressional hearings, and how race, education level, and socioeconomic status of the individuals involved are used to frame the January 6th events.
Finally, A Safe Way To Play The Market – Upside Investing (Forbes, July 2022) Laurence Kotlikoff, professor of economics, discusses upside investing, which allows you to establish a living standard floor and use stocks and risky assets to increase this living standard.
Exclusive: G-20 Report Says MDBs are Holding Back Hundreds of Billions (Devex, July 20, 2022) Kevin Gallagher (Pardee), professor of global development policy, comments on a report by the G20 that discusses how multilateral development banks would increase lending to lower-income nations by billions of dollars.
Why Women Do or Don’t Change Their Name When They Get Married (CNN Health, July 2022) Deborah Carr (CAS, Sociology & CISS Director)discuss how the trend of women taking (or not taking) their husbands last name has evolved over time. Today in the US, 20-30% of women choose to retain their maiden name, a percentage that has fluctuated since the 1990s. She also speaks about how some women take their husband’s name legally, but are referred to by their maiden name professionally.
There’s a Better Way to Measure Economic Inequality (New York Times Opinion, July 2022) Laurence Kotlikoff, professor of economics, argues that the best way to measure economic inequality is through differences in spending power.
G20 Finance Chiefs Make Few Policy Breakthroughs at Indonesia Meeting (Reuters, July 2022) Kevin Gallagher (Pardee), professor of global development policy, comments on how the G20 and G7 are paralyzed by current global events, leading to slower global policy responses.
Shinzo Abe Remade Japan – and the World, BU Expert Says (BU Today, July 2022) William Grimes, professor of international relations and political science, discusses how Shinzo Abe remade Japan and will likely continue to have a heavy influence on Japan’s trajectory after death.
Ask Larry: When Would I See the 8% Increase If I Start Social Security Retirement Benefits at 67? (Forbes, July 2022) Laurence Kotlikoff, professor of economics, discusses delayed retirement benefits, survivor benefits, and spousal benefits.
‘You Just Lost 8.6% of Your Retirement Savings.” A Prominent Economist and Best Selling Author on Exactly How much Inflation Could Be Eating Into Your Savings (Market Watch, July 2022) Laurence Kotlikoff, professor of economics, discusses the impact of inflation on retirement savings and how using retirement to defer social security benefits until 70 is a better idea than wall street is telling you.
Everyone’s Talking About ‘Staglation:’ What Is It And Should You Be Worried? (CNBC, July 2022) Laurence Kotlikoff, professor of economics, argues that we are not in stagflation as we still have relatively high unemployment rate.
The Long, Ongoing Debate Over ‘All Men Are Created Equal’ (Associated Press, July 2022) Ibram X. Kendi (CAS, History and Founder/Director of the Center for Antiracist Research) discusses what it means to be anti-racist. He states, “To be an anti-racist is to recognize that it’s not just that we are created equal, or biologically equal. It’s that all racial groups are equals. And if there are disparities between those equal racial groups, then it is the result of racist policy or structural racism and not the inferiority or superiority of a racial group.”
Repatriating a Centuries-Old Ethiopian Psalter (Boston University African Studies Center, July 2022) James McCann, professor of history and associate director of the African Studies Center, tells the riveting tale of how a a centuries-old Ethiopian Psalter ended up in Boston and how it was returned to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies.
So Much News: Should You Turn It Off or Turn It Up? (BUToday, June 2022) Deborah Carr (CAS, Sociology & CISS Director) discusses how to handle the relentless news cycle.
America the Miserly: How Our Refugee Systems Fail Desperate People (TheBrink, June 2022) Heba Gowayed, assistant professor of sociology and CISS affiliate, discusses the faults in the U.S., Canadian, and German refugee systems.
Where Are All the Lesbian Bars? (TheBrink, June 2022) Professor and Chair of the Sociology Department, Japonica Brown-Saracino discuss the decline in bars that cater to lesbian, bisexual, and queer women in the United States (from 200+ to an estimated 21 in 2022).
Ibram X. Kendi On Preparing Children for the Realities of Racism (Los Angelos Times, June 2022) Ibram X. Kendi (professor of history and director of the Center for Antiracist Research) discusses his new book How to Raise an Antiracist.
California Ranks No. 30 for Road Trips (UKEN Report, June 2022) Makarand Mody, associate professor of Hospitality and CISS affiliate, discusses road tripping and enhances safety measures during the busy summer road trip season.
Are Large Corporate Profit Margins Causing Inflation? (NY Times, June 2022) Laurence Kotlikoff, professor of economics, argues that the “marriage tax” leads to less marriages among lower income women, who stand to loose benefits when getting married (lower per-person benefits). Kotlikoff and co-authors theorizes that without this disincentivization, marriage rates would be 14% higher in the bottom fifth of the income bracket.
Data Gaps for Race and Ethnicity Are Holding Back Antiracism Efforts, Report Says (The Brink, June 2022) Ibram X. Kendi (CAS, History and Founder/Director of the Center for Antiracist Research) discuss how racial inequities in data collection slow antiracists efforts. To read the full report, see the Center for Antiracist Research here.
How To Fix The Global Economy – In 142 Pages (The Mint Magazine, June 2022) Kevin Gallager’s (professor of global development policy) new book The Case for A New Bretton Woods was reviewed by Rick Rowden. The book lays out the required structural changes needed to address climate change.
How to Raise an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi (WAMC Northeast Public Radio, June 2022) Ibram X. Kendi (CAS, History and Founder/Director of the Center for Antiracist Research) discusses his new book How to Raise an Antiracist.
Interest Rates Are Up, Stocks Are Down. Whats Next for the Economy? (BU Today, June 2022) Laurence Kotlikoff (CAS Economics) and Jay Zagorsky (QST Markets, Public Policy, and Law) discuss our current economic situation in a Q&A with BU Today.
Pell Grant 50th Anniversary: Two BU Students Share How it Changed Their Lives (BUToday, June 2022) Samara Parada (CAS ’23) discusses how the Pell Grant allowed her to flourish and excel as a political science major at Boston University.
Alternative Summer Reading List: Ibram X. Kendi’s Antiracist Book Recommendations (Parents.com, June 2022) Ibram X. Kendi (CAS, History and Founder/Director of the Center for Antiracist Research) recommends a series of books for kids and teens including: Brown Girl Dreaming (Jacqueline Woodson), All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto (George M. Johnson), In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse (Joseph Marshall III), We are Not Free (Traci Chee), An Emotion of Great Delight (Tahereh Mafi), Love is a Revolution (Renée Watson), I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter (Erika L. Sanchez), and Dear Martin (Nic Stone)
Lack of Diversity Hindering Mass. Housing Productions, Report Finds (NBC Boston, June 2022) Associate Professor Katherine Levine Einstein (CAS, Political Science & CISS Affiliate) and Maxwell Palmer (CAS, Political Science & CISS Affiliate), associate professor study the demographic makeup of public officials in more than 20 communities, finding the public officials were, “were significantly older, whiter, more male, and more likely to be longtime residents than the voters in their communities.” Einstein and Palmer also highlighted that people of color and women are substantially underrepresented in these public positions.
What Juneteenth Means to Me (A Photo Essay) (BUToday, June 2022) Phillipe Copeland (SSW), clinical assistant professor, and Spencer Piston (CAS, Political Science), associate professor and assistant director of policy for BU Center for Antiracist Research, discuss what Juneteenth means to them.
New Evidence Emerges on How Mayas Fortified Maize, Built Indoor Toilets (Down to Earth, June 2022) Boston University Researchers, in collaboration with Harvard University and the University of Texas at Austin find maize starch spherulites, a byproduct of nixtamalisation, and tapeworms at a Maya archaeological site. The authors of the report comment that this is likely the first time that toilets used by commoners have been discovered.
Watergate Happened 50 years ago. Its Legacies are Still With Us. (The Washington Post, June 2022) Professor Bruce Schulman (CAS, History) argues that Watergate eroded public trust in all institutions, especially government institutions. He states, “One way of thinking about it is that Americans ceased to trust the men in suits — whether those men in suits were lawyers, university professors, the press and especially, especially, the government.”
Ask Larry: If My Social Security is Late, Can I still File Retroactively Now? (Forbes, June 2022) Professor Laurence Kotlikoff (CAS, Economics) addresses questions about filling retroactively, how disability benefits are calculated, and reduction rates for filing early.
Ibram X. Kendi on the Importance of Being Antiracist (CBS News, June 2022) Ibram X. Kendi (CAS, History and Founder/Director of the Center for Antiracist Research) discusses the importance of anti-racist education and practices. He also discusses two new books: one for children and one for parents.
What Ancient Toilets Can Teach Us About Maya Life and Tamales (PHYS.Org, June 2022) John M. Marston (CAS, Archeology & Anthropology), associate professor and anthropology, explains a revolutionary discovery: the earliest toilets of the Maya world. Marston highlights how these toilets help researchers trace culinary patterns around Latin America and the implications of his work.
A Wider Lens on the MeToo Backlash: Who Pays for Societal Change? (The New York Times, The Interpreter, June 2022) Rachael Brulé (Pardee), assistant professor in Global Development Policy, discusses the backlash against women who try to seek equality. Brulé draws on her research on inheritance and dowries in India.
Mass Shootings Leave Lasting Psychological Wounds (Scientific American, June 2022) Sandro Galea, dean of the School of Public Health, and his co-author Sarah Lowe (Yale University) discuss the psychological wounds caused by Mass Shootings, drawing on reviews of around 50 studies that look at the impacts of 15 separate mass shootings.
In Latin America, China Steps In Where the US Has Stepped Out (The Christian Science Monitor, June 2022) Jorge Heine (Pardee), former Chilean ambassador to Beijing and research professor at the Frederick S Pardee School of Global Studies, discusses increased trade relations between Latin American countries and China. He argues that with increased trades and the need for more modern infrastructure, they are more likely to work with China than with the US, which they see as taking a less active role.
Air Conditioning (or Lack of It) Can Affect Student Performance (Marketplace, June 2022) Associate professor Joshua Goodman (CAS Economics & STH) argues that upgrading the school’s air conditioning systems may improve student outcomes, leading to a better-educated workforce.
As the UK Celebrates Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, Why Will So Many Americans Also Be Cheering Her On? (The Conversation, June 2022) Arianne Chernock, professor of history, discusses the American fascination with British royalty and the Queen herself.
During the Omicron Wave, Death Rates Soared for Older People (New York Times, May 2022) Assistant Professor of Global Health Andrew Stokes (SPH & CISS Affiliate) argues that older adults are at a higher risk for covid-related deaths, even those with the primary vaccine series.
Suspects Aren’t Entitled to a Lawyer at Clerk’s Hearings in Mass. But Having One Makes a Huge Difference (WBUR, May 2022) David Rossman (LAW), professor and Director of the Criminal Law Clinical Programs, explains that while we know that having a lawyer increase the chances you will avoid criminal charges in MA, we are unlikely to see increased government funding for legal services for those who cannot afford them.
Sponsored Content for Publishers: Revenue Saviour or Reputational Risk? (Press Gazette, May 2022). Michelle Amazeen (COM & CISS affiliate), director of the Communication Research Center in the College of Communication, shows how sponsored content is an increasingly popular way for news providers to raise revenue.
‘Let Them Know That You’re Feeling Sad Too’: How Parents and Caregivers Can Help Children Handle Trauma (GBH, May 2022). Usha Tummala-Narra CAS, Psychological & Brain Sciences) offers advice to parents explaining recent gun-related tragedies to their children.
Two Years after George Floyd’s Murder, What’s Changed? What’s Next? (BU Today, May 2022). Scholars from the Boston University community discuss race relations and what has changed since the death of George Floyd.
Nations In Need Seek More Help on Green Deal Loans. (Financial Times, May 2023). Kevin Gallagher (Pardee), professor of Global Development Policy and Director of the Global Development Policy Center, argues that large multilateral development banks need to take a more active and less conservative in helping developing countries deal with the consequences of climate change.
US Child Welfare System is Falling Short Because of Persistent Child Poverty (The Conversation, May 2022). School of Social Work faculty Astraea Augsberger (SSW) and Mary Elizabeth Collins (SSW & CISS affiliate) argue that the U.S. requires a more robust safety net to support parents of children deemed to be experiencing neglect or abuse.
In Wave After Deadly Wave, COVID has claimed 1 Million Lives in the U.S. (NPR, May 2022) Deborah Carr (CAS, Sociology & CISS Director) discusses how society dismisses the covid-related deaths of those in their 70s and 80s. She argues that it’s important to note that these individuals had more years to live that were taken by Covid.
Should You Keep Up Payments During the Federal Student-Loan Freeze? Experts Weigh In (CNBC, May 2022) Laurence Kotlikoff, Professor of Economics, contents that student loan forgiveness is unlikely as President Biden “doesn’t have the power to unilaterally cancel student loan debt.”
Harvey Young: Recent Shooting Expose Deep-Seated History of Segregation (Chicago Tribune, May 2022) Harvey Young, Dean of the College of Fine Arts, argues that persistent residential housing segregation has allowed the targeting of black people via violent, racist attacks.
Death Certificates Reveal that US Hit Grim COVID Milestone (AP News, May 2022) Andrew Stokes, CISS affiliate and School of Public Health Faculty argues that how we track covid-related deaths leads to undercounting the death-count.
Why It’s Wrong to Protest at a Judge’s Home (Boston Globe, May 2022) David Decosimo, Associate Professor of Theology and Ethics, argues that protesting outside a judges home is “democratically destructive and ethically wrong.” He discusses that such protests work to attack the judge as a person, loosing sight of the fact that the judge is a person fulfilling a professional role.
Covid-19 Death Toll Could be 20 Percent Higher than Official Tally (The Brink, May 2022) Andrew Stokes, CISS affiliate and School of Public Health Faculty argues that the death toll from Covid-19 may even be above 1.2 million.
Recent Incidents of Violence in Mass. Schools Raise Questions for Parents (NBC Local, May 2022) Jennifer Grief Green (SED) discusses the violence attacks, hate crimes, and fights in Brockton, Fall River, Haverhill,Lawrence, Malden, Medford, Methuen, Wilmington. She discussed the link between the pandemic, mental health, and violence in schools.
The Housing Divide is Pulling Massachusetts Apart (Boston Globe, May 2022). Katherine Levine Einstein, CISS affiliate and political science professor, puts the local housing crisis in national perspective.
True Death Toll of COVID-19 Pandemic Could Now Be As High as 1.22 Million in United States (Boston Globe, May 2022). Andrew Stokes, CISS affiliate and School of Public Health faculty, discusses the methodological and political challenges to accurately counting COVID-19 deaths.
Former Terrier and Bruin Jay Pandolfo Named BU Men’s Ice Hockey Head Coach (BU Today, May 2022). Jay Pandolofo (CAS ’96), a former BU sociology major, was named head coach of BU’s acclaimed hockey team.
How to Survive Mother’s Day When Mom Has Passed Away (Psychology Today, May 2022). Deborah Carr (CAS, Sociology & CISS Director) suggests ways to celebrate one’s mother and carry on her legacy after her death.
How to Break the Cycle of Living Paycheck to Paycheck Even as Prices Are Rising (Boston 25 News, April 2022). Economics professor Laurence Kotlikoff offers advice on how to manage finances against a backdrop of inflation.
U.S. Turns the Screws on Solomon Islands to Counter China (Politico, April 2022). Ming Ye, Pardee School, discusses the implications of China’s new security initiative.
The Real Reason the Russian Orthodox Church’s Leader Supports Putin’s War (Foreign Policy, April 2022). Political science professor and CISS steering committee member Tim Longman weighs in on the role of the Catholic church in genocides.
NeighborWoods: How Urban Forests Can Improve Community Health and Climate Change (WGBH, April 2022). Lucy Hutyra, professor of earth & environment, discusses trees’ crucial role in the ecosystem.
Airbnb Incidents Make It More Important Than Ever to Know Guest and Host Rights (The Points Guy, April 2022). Makarand Mody, CISS affiliate and faculty member at School of Hospitality Administration, comments on the recent string of safety issues at U.S. Airbnb rentals.
Most Americans Supported Keeping Mask Mandates for Public Transportation, A New Poll Finds. (New York Times, April 20, 2022). Catherine Caldwell-Harris, CISS affiliate and professor of psychological & brain sciences, weighs in on mandating masks on public transit.
It’s Almost Impossible to Get Fired from Some Jobs These Days (Boston Globe, April 2022). Economics professor Linh Tô explains how the tight labor market affects workplace productivity.
The Stunning Rise of Cremation Reveals America’s Changing Idea of Death (Washington Post, April 2022). Stephen Prothero, professor of religion, explains why creation is now twice as popular as traditional casket burial.
BU Alum Explores World’s Greatest Cemeteries in New PBS Series (Bostonia, April 2022). Filmmaker Roberto Mighty (CAS’76; history), profiles renowned burial sites in his six-part PBS series World’s Greatest Cemeteries, premiering April 17 on Boston GBH-2.
The Catch-22 of the US Military’s Climate Plans (The Independent, April 2022). Neta Crawford, political science chair, says decarbonizing the US military isn’t really possible without cutting back on operations and training, both in the US and overseas.
How Homeownership Changes You. (The Atlantic. April 2022). Katherine Einstein, CISS affiliate and political science professor, explains why some homeowners oppose the construction of new housing in their area.
Reliable Death Tolls from the Ukraine War Are Hard to Come By – The Result of Undercounts and Manipulation (The Conversation, April 2022). Neta Crawford, political science chair, explains why it is so difficult to get accurate estimates of war fatalities and injuries.
For Boston Students, The Value of Debate Is Not Up For Debate. (WGBH, March 2022). Jonathan Zaff (SED, Director, of CERES Institute for Children & Youth & CISS affiliate) explains why debate is so important for youth’s social and intellectual development.
What One Million COVID Dead Mean for the U.S.’s Future (Scientific American, March 2022). Andrew Stokes, CISS affiliate and School of Public Health faculty, discusses the societal impacts of the nearly 1 million COVID-19 deaths.
Can Meditation and Mindfulness Help Cancer Patients Thrive? (The Brink, March 2022). Brenda Phillips, a senior lecturer in Psychological & Brain Sciences, discusses her latest research demonstrating the protective effects of meditation.
Why Are So Many Religious Leaders Facing Stress and Burnout? (BU Today, March 2022). Steve Sandage, CISS affiliate and School of Theology professor of psychology of religion and theology, is discovering new ways to support clergy mental health and well-being during this stressful era.
Learning about Barriers to Economic Mobility (Phys.org, March 2022). Sociologist and associate dean Nazli Kibria discusses her collaborative project (with sociologist Max Greenberg) Cascading Lives Project, a website and digital learning toolkit that shares people’s life stories and their experiences of downward mobility.
Will Early Social Security Retirement Benefits Reduce My Spousal Rate Later? (Forbes, March 2022). BU economics professor Laurence J. Kotlikoff addresses questions about how taking early retirement benefits can affect later spousal benefits, effects of the January 2022 COLA on benefits taken later and whether retirement benefits at 70 are required.
2022’s States with the Highest Job Resignation Rates (WalletHub, March 2022) Kevin Lang (Economics) discusses the dropping labor force participation rate during the pandemic, why we arent at pre-pandemic labor force participation rates, and how the tight labor market has affected employers.
Bostonian By Choice (Boston Magazine, March 2022). Japonica Brown-Saracino (Sociology department chair) weighs in on the debate over who counts as a “local.”
What is the Future of Travel in 2022 (BU Today, March 2022). Makarand Mody (SHA and CISS Affiliate) sheds light on the future of travel in 2022. He discusses flexcations, the popularity of AirBNB and VRBO, the return to city tourism, and more.
Machines of War Take a Heavy Toll on Ukraine—and the Planet (WIRED, March 2022). Neta Crawford, chair of political science, explains why the conflict will exacerbate the climate crisis, as tanks, jets, and convoys burn fossil fuels and nearby nations boost their military spending.
Why Does the U.S. Need Oil From Other Countries? (Newsweek, March 2022). Robert Kaufmann, professor of Earth & Environment, explains why the U.S. uses more barrels of oil per day than it produces, necessitating imports from abroad.
POV: The Secret to Wildlife Conservation Might Be the “Animal Agency” Approach—Giving Creatures a Role in Their Own Preservation (BU Today, March 2022). Émilie Edelblutte, a PhD candidate in Earth and Environment and Global Policy Development Center fellow, writes that wild animals are living in cities and suburbs. Protecting them—and humans—means not seeing them as things to be managed.
Groups Hardest Hit by COVID-19 Appear Least Likely to Get Care for its Lingering Effects (The Boston Globe, March 2022). School of Social Work professor Linda Sprague Martinez observes that Black and Hispanic workers with COVID-19 may be stigmatized for symptoms like fatigue.
The Age Of Clocking Into Work Should Be Over (Huffington Post, March 2022). Daniel Lee Kleinman, sociologist and Associate Provost for Graduate Affairs, weighs in on the importance of trust and respect in the workplace.
Latino Evangelicals Used to Shun Politics. Will They Now Become a Right-Wing Force? (Los Angeles Times, March 2022), Sociologist and STH faculty member Jonathan Cavillo observes that the Republican ideology of free markets and bootstraps individualism resonates with many Latino evangelicals.
Dual-Factor Treatment: As Your Therapist about Spirituality (Big Think, March 2022) Steven Sandage (STH and CISS affiliate) discusses the growing trend of researchers seeking to integrate practices of positive psychology, spirituality and holistic well-being into mental health care, with careful attention to individual patients’ different needs.
What to Know if Your Company Is Planning to Buy Another (The Motley Fool, March 2022). Makarand Mody (SHA and CISS Affiliate) speaks about the hospitality industry, Airbnb‘s pricing model, and how the company affects the price of hotel rooms.
How could the Russia-Ukraine war end? Experts point to a number of possibilities. (The Boston Globe, March 2022) Igor Lukes (CAS) discusses the Russian-Ukraine war. Lukes argues that Russia will likely move slowly across Ukraine, as part of an intentional strategy, eventually installing a puppet leader who will represent Moscow’s interests to replace Zelensky.
Explaining the Latest Texas Anti-Transgender Directive (BU Today, March 2022). Three BU experts discuss whether the Texas move is legal and its impact on the trans community. Learn from Linda McClain, Robert Kent Professor of Law, Melissa K. Holt (Director, of CERES Institute for Children & Youth and associate dean for faculty affairs) and Debbie Bazarsky (inaugural director of the LGBTQIA+ Center for Faculty & Staff).
Ask an Expert: How to Process Loss during the Pandemic and Take Care of your Mental Health. (Medium, BU Experts, March 2022). Deborah Carr (CAS, Sociology & CISS Director) answers questions on Reddit’s AMA about stress, coping, and self-care.
Forced to Evacuate Ukraine, Nicole Jepeal (CAS’11) Worries about Those Left Behind. (Bostonia, March 2022). Nicole Jepeal, who majored in anthropology and biology at BU, shares her story of being evacuated from her Fulbright Public Policy Fellowship in Kyiv, Ukraine, ahead of the Russian invasion.
How New England Caught the COVID Deaths Much of the Country Missed. (USA Today, March 2022). Andrew Stokes (SPH, Sociology, and CISS affiliate) and a team of demographers show how New England more accurately evaluated and counted COVID deaths
New Boston University Study Links Remote Learning to a Decrease in Bullying, Cyberbullying (WCVB, February 2022). Research by Wheelock faculty members Andrew Bacher-Hicks, Joshua Goodman, Jennifer Greif Green, and Melissa K. Holt finds that bullying-related internet searches dropped dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How to think about the risk of nuclear war, according to 3 experts (Vox, February 2022) Paul Hare, senior lecturer at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, argues that Putin’s real goal is to “swallow Ukraine” and restore the historical power of imperial Russia. He argues that Putin’s escalation is a reaction to a wave of international pressures and sanctions.
Calling Putin’s bluff on NATO. (The Hill, February 2022). BU economics’ Laurence J. Kotlikoff contends that Russia joining NATO might be a real solution to the current crisis.
Think therapy is navel-gazing? Think again. (The Conversation, February 2022). Steven Sandage, professor of theology and the psychology of religion at BU, refutes the myth that psychotherapy encourages a quality of self-absorption in clients.
Russian invasion of Ukraine would have global impact, specialists say. (Boston Globe, February 2022). BU professor Igor Lukes (CAS, History & International Relations) provides insight into the impacts of Ukraine’s perils and politics.
Editorial: Savvy consumer an invaluable inflation hedge. (Lowell Sun, February 2022). Professor Kevin Lang (CAS, Economics & CISS Affiliate) discusses the effect of inflation on those whose incomes adjust retrospectively.
Our Schools Must Tell a Better and More Complete Story about our Growing Economic Inequality (Hechinger Report, February 2022). Nazli Kibria (CAS, Sociology, Associate Dean of the Faculty for the Social Sciences, and CISS Affiliate) and co-author Karen Hansen (Brandeis) explain how the U.S. wealth gap is fostering an empathy gap — and what schools can do about it.
Two Big Hurdles Keep Many Americans from Saving for Retirement (Yahoo News, February 2022). BU professor in macroeconomics and public finance Laurence J. Kotlikoff (CAS, Economics) highlights the challenges for U.S. workers don’t have employer-provided retirement accounts or adequate savings.
Gender Pay Gap: Why Attitudes to Risk Could Be Making it Worse (World Economic Forum, February 2022). Questrom labor economist Patricia Cortes (CAS, Economics) finds that risk aversion in women and overconfidence in men can cause the gender pay gap to narrow or widen.
What is Afrofuturism? (Playbill, February 2022). Louis Chude-Sokei (CAS/George and Joyce Wein Chair in African American Studies, and director of the African American Studies), weighs in on the meaning of afrofuturism.
Tracing the History of New England’s Ice Trade (The Brink, February 2022). Andrew Robichaud (CAS, History) is writing a book on the ice trade, which took off in the 1820s and lasted about 100 years—until refrigeration rendered it unnecessary.
Sociologist Jessica Simes’ New Book Explores the Toll of Mass Incarceration and Its Racial Disparities. (The Brink, February 2022). BU professor Jessica Simes (CAS, Sociology & CISS Affiliate) explains how Black and Latinx neighborhoods in deindustrialized smaller cities have become communities of loss—robbed by the prison system of family members, wage earners, potential voters, and citizens
What’s the Appeal of Deep Voices in Men? (SAPIENS, February 2022). BU professor Carolyn Hodges-Simeon (CAS, Anthropology) weighs in on why low-pitched male voices are frequently seen as signs of dominance, strength, and sex appeal.
Ask Larry: Will Social Security Automatically Delay Our Benefits Till 70? (Forbes, February 2022). Hear professor Laurence Kotlikoff (CAS, Economics) on whether it’s necessary to tell Social Security you want to delay until 70 to start benefits.
Are Trump Republicans Fascists? (BU Today, February 2022). No, says professor Jonathan Zatlin (CAS, History), but they can still be dangerous. He places the January 6 insurrection in a larger historical context.
Royal Nod for ‘Queen Camilla’ Caps Years of Image Repair (The New York Times, February 7, 2022). Professor Arianne Chernock (CAS, History) explains the social and historical significance of Camilla’s possible ascension to the title of queen consort, solidifying her role as the regal partner of Prince Charles.
Social Security May Be a ‘Treasure Trove’ For You and Your Family. But First You Have to Navigate Some Complex Rules (CNBC, February 2022). Professor in macroeconomics and public finance Laurence J. Kotlikoff (CAS, Economics) offers tips for retirees to maximize the total amount of Social Security income they and their families receive.
And Just Like That…Middle Age Happens (Psychology Today, February 2022). Deborah Carr (CAS, Sociology & CISS Director) identifies five truths about aging we can learn from the Sex and the City reboot.
Fetching Success for The Dogist (BU Today, February 2022). Elias Weiss Friedman (CAS’10, Psychological and Brain Sciences) is the founder and creative director of The Dogist, a blog and social media phenomenon with more than four million followers on Instagram that has become even more important to its fans during the pandemic.
Long Live Ukraine, Taiwan and the Nation-State (Wall Street Journal, February 2022). Liah Greenfeld, professor (CAS, Sociology and Political Science), discusses the fate of these two small countries, in danger of being swallowed by imperial neighbors.
What Happens When Human Truckers are Replaced by AI? (UK News Today, February 2022). Professor Pascual Restrepo (CAS, Economics) sheds light on companies’ increased use of “so-so technologies,” forms of automation that replace workers without broadly increasing productivity—automatic telephone customer service, for example, and retail self-checkouts.
Social Studies: Trump’s Stimulus Checks; Daring Dogs; Walls Make Bad Neighbors (Boston Globe, February 2022). Professor Martin Fizbein’s (CAS, Economics &. CISS Affiliate) new research shows that local cultures are shaped by the amount of labor required to harvest crops in the area — and that this effect lasts for generations.
Sociologist Jessica Simes’ New Book Explores Toll of Mass Incarceration and Its Racial Disparities (Mirage News, February 2022). Professor Jessica Simes (CAS, Sociology & CISS Affiliate) discusses the key findings of her new book Punishing Places.
Militaries Produce 6% of GHGs, But They’re Not Required to Report It. (PBS, January 2022). Professor Neta Crawford (CAS, Political Science) provides insights into the U.S. military’s production of green house gases, and the larger societal and political implications.
Uncovering COVID-19’s Hidden Deaths in the United States. (The Brink, January 2022). Assistant professor Andrew Stokes (SPH & CISS Affiliate) reveals that his research has shown many US counties may be underreporting COVID-19 pandemic deaths.
Racial and Economic Inequality Persists. Why Do Many People Deny It ? (MarketWatch, January 2022). Professor and CISS affiliate Jonathan Mijs (CAS, Sociology) explains why Americans don’t acknowledge persistent inequalities.
Readers Have Questions About Stocks. An Economist Replies. (The New York Times, January 2022). BU professor in macroeconomics and public finance Laurence J. Kotlikoff decodes the function of stocks, explaining the important role they play that often goes obscured.
This Professor Went Viral For Asking Students How Much They Think The Average Person Makes, And It’s Eye-Opening (BuzzFeed, January 2022). Professor and CISS affiliate Jonathan Mijs (CAS, Sociology) explains why 25% of Wharton students thinks the average U.S. worker earns over six figures annually.
$100-a-barrel Oil May Soon Be A Reality — And Stick Around (Marketplace, January 2022). Robert Kaufmann (CAS, Earth & Environment) describes the impact of COVID-19 on oil prices.
War? More COVID? Irreversible Climate Change? What 2022 Could Bring BU Faculty Predict What to Expect in the Coming Year (BU Today, January 2022). What does the new year hold in store? Abigail Sullivan (CAS, Earth & Environment & CISS Affiliate) weighs in on the environment, Igor Lukes (CAS, History) predicts global relations, Lauren Mattioli (CAS, Political Science & CISS Affiliate) discusses legislative changes, and Laurence Kotlikoff, William Fairfield Warren Distinguished professor (CAS, Economics) discuss future inflation rates.
US President Joe Biden’s First Year Weighed Down by Disappointment (Deutsche Welle, January 2022). Virginia Sapiro, professor emerita (CAS, Political Science), explains the challenges facing President Biden in his first year in office.
Why Is It So Hard to Keep Our New Year’s Resolutions. (BU Today, January 2022). Joe McGuire (CAS, Psychological and Brain Sciences and director of the Cognition & Decision Lab), explains why we don’t keep our resolutions.
The Great Resignation: Historical Data and a Deeper Analysis Show it’s Not as Great as Screaming Headlines Suggest. (The Conversation, January 2021). Jay Zagorsky (Questrom) demonstrates that few major sectors, especially service industries like leisure and hospitality, are responsible for most of the high rate of quitting.
Economists Pin More Blame on Tech for Rising Inequality. (The New York Times, January 2022). Research by Pascual Restrepo (CAS, Economics) and colleagues shows how automation has contributed to widening economic disparities.
End-of-Life Conversations Can Be Hard, But Your Loved Ones Will Thank You. (The Conversation, January 2022). Deborah Carr (CAS, Sociology & CISS Director) encourages end-of-life discussions early and often to help prepare for a “good death” for patients and their families.
Ask Larry: Does A Possible Drop In The 2020 AWI Mean I Should I File Retroactive To 2021? (Forbes, January 2022). Larry Kotlikoff (CAS, Economics) explains how the 2020 average wage index (AWI) would affect Social Security benefits.
How History Was Changed on January 6 (WCVB 5, January 2022). Thomas Whalen (CGS, Social Sciences) describes the lasting impact of the 2021 U.S. Capitol insurrection.
Confessions of a ‘Human Guinea pig’: Why I’m Resigning from Moderna Vaccine Trials (STAT, January 2022). Jeremy Menchik, associate professor of international relations at the Pardee School discusses his experience participating in the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine trials and why he withdrew from further trials.