The Conversation

Hong Kong's democratic struggle and the rise of Chinese authoritarianism

Written by Kelly Chernin, Lecturer in International Communications, University of Florida

Four pro-democracy Hong Kong lawmakers of the Legislative Council have been ousted.AP Photo/Kin Cheun

In July, a Hong Kong court purged four pro-democracy politicians from its Legislative Council.

This move comes after two other Hong Kong lawmakers were expelled from the Legislative Council earlier this year and at the same time as the recent death...

Do challenges make school seem impossible or worthwhile?

Written by Daphna Oyserman, Professor of Psychology and Education, University of Southern California – Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

When school gets tough, do you think it's worthwhile? Or time to give up?Pavlin Plamenov Petkov/Shutterstock.com

Did you get where you intended to in life? Are you as healthy, wealthy and wise as you want to be? If not, perhaps the problem is a lack of motivation.

Some studies suggest that motivation – rather than ability or skill – is...

What influences American giving?

Written by Una Osili, Professor, Economics and Philanthropic Studies, Associate Dean for Research and International Programs, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Americans make charitable donations for many reasons.Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock.com

Several nonprofits, such as the Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union, have reported a surge in donations as some Americans respond to their political concerns by supporting causes they believe will make a difference.

Yet while scholars...

A bold, bipartisan plan to return the US to the vanguard of 21st-century technological innovation

Written by Sascha Meinrath, Director of X-Lab; Palmer Chair in Telecommunications, Pennsylvania State University

How can we ensure technology brings prosperity to us all?ra2studio/Shutterstock.com

Digital technologies like the internet and smartphones are transforming our lives and society. They are proving to be powerful tools for liberating individuals’ creative and entrepreneurial potential, as well as providing new educational opportunities and...

Biologics: The pricey drugs transforming medicine

Written by Ian Haydon, Doctoral Student in Biochemistry, University of Washington

The cells inside this bioreactor are the real pharmaceutical factories.Sanofi Pasteur, CC BY-NC-ND

In a factory just outside San Francisco, there’s an upright stainless steel vat the size of a small car, and it’s got something swirling inside.

The vat is studded with gauges, hoses and pipes. Inside, it’s hot – just under 100...

How killing the ACA could lead to more opioid deaths in West Virginia and other Trump states

Written by Simon Haeder, Assistant Professor of Political Science, West Virginia University

A neighborhood in Huntington, West Virginia, where more than two dozen opioid overdoses occurred within four hours in August, 2016. AP Photo/Claire Galofino

President Trump spoke at the National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia on July 24, joining a long list of presidents who have spoken to the huge meeting of Boy Scouts, troop leaders and...

Fulfilling the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act

Written by Jean Crockett, Professor of Special Education, University of Florida

The ADA helped make college possible for disabled students like freshman Christopher Rhoades.AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

In July 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law in an action that “gave voice to the nation’s highest ideals.”

As we celebrate 27 years of ADA, we can see the...

Venezuela's getting a new constitution whether the people want it or not

Written by Laura Gamboa, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Utah State University

Despite widespread objections, Venezuela’s president, Nicolas Maduro, is moving ahead with a plan to rewrite the country’s constitution.

Maduro argues a new constitution would contain the deadly violence that has gripped the nation and restore cooperation between the different branches of government. A vote is scheduled for July 30 to...

History shows that stacking federal science advisory committees doesn't work

Written by Donald Boesch, Professor of Marine Science, University of Maryland

Scientists provide key input to government agencies on issues such as improving oil spill prevention and response after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster.U.S. Coast Guard

Scientists are busy people, but every year thousands donate many hours of their time without payment to advise Congress and federal government agencies. They provide input on...

How a job acquires a gender (and less authority if it's female)

Written by Sarah Thebaud, Associate Professor, Sociology, University of California, Santa Barbara

Why do we think of a firefighter as a man and a nurse as a woman and not the other way around? AP Photos

“I’m not bossy, I’m the boss.”

So proclaims Beyoncé in a video in support of the #banbossy campaign. The campaign highlights how when little boys take charge, they’re often praised for being a...