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  • English professor Jim Hansen in his office, surrounded by horror movie posters. Photo by Fred Zwicky

    Why do we love horror films?

    Oct 25, 2022 9:45 am

    Horror films dominate Netflix queues right now. English professor Jim Hansen spoke about why we love horror. He says it’s because horror films let us 'choose the shape of our fears and then to face up to those fears.'

  • Illinois scientist Ann-Perry Witmer leads research and an upcoming discussion that takes a fresh approach to climate change adaptation.

    What is place-based adaptation to climate change?

    Oct 10, 2022 2:30 pm

    Place-based knowledge fits a solution to a need, rather than the other way around. 'The impacts of climate change for farmers in Illinois, for example, are dramatically different than the impacts seen by the Navajo Nation in Arizona...'

  • advertising professor Michelle Nelson

    What do we know about political advertising?

    Oct 5, 2022 1:45 pm

    Advertising professor Michelle Nelson has found that most adults – even those politically engaged – don't fully understand online targeting, sources and funding for political ads, or how political speech is treated differently from commercial speech.

  • graphic art shows giant hand giving document reading 'debt' to person in cap and gown

    Student debt relief plan: A shot in the arm

    Sep 28, 2022 11:30 am

    'Student loan debt is impacting people’s lives,' says Prof. Jennifer Delaney. 'When you borrow for college, you’re much less likely to buy a house right away, you hold back on retirement savings, don’t start a small business, wait on starting a family.'

  • Nancy Latham, the executive director of the Council on Teacher Education and an associate dean in the College of Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Photo by Jeremiah Cox

    What's behind the teacher shortage in US schools?

    Sep 21, 2022 2:15 pm

    Teacher shortages plaguing primary and secondary schools in the U.S. could be game-changers for people entering the field by boosting salaries and improving benefits and working conditions, said education professor Nancy Latham.

  • Professor YoungAh Park. Photo by Brian Stauffer

    What explains 'quiet quitting' in the workplace?

    Sep 15, 2022 9:15 am

    'Quiet quitting' means forgoing the extra mile at work but is different than work withdrawal or employee disengagement, says U of I labor expert YoungAh Park, who studies work stress and recovery.

  • A Union Pacific freight train winds its way through Colton, on Wednesday, Mar. 18, 2015. Photo by the Orange County Register

    What were the underlying issues of the railroad labor dispute?

    Sep 15, 2022 10:15 am

    A strike by railroad unions would have been bad news for the Biden administration and for an already-stressed economy, says Michael LeRoy, an expert in labor relations at Illinois.

     

  • Professor Christopher Brooke. Photo by L. B. Stauffer

    Who should get an omicron COVID-19 booster?

    Sep 12, 2022 9:30 am

    Although the omicron variants seem less deadly, COVID-19 vaccine boosters are needed to keep up with the virus as it evolves, says University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign microbiology professor Christopher Brooke.

  • Professor Don Fullerton. Image by Brian Stauffer

    How will the Inflation Reduction Act affect US environmental policy?

    Sep 6, 2022 10:15 am

    Funds in the Inflation Reduction Act targeted for energy security and climate change reduction will encourage a major transformation in the U.S. renewable energy infrastructure, says Professor Don Fullerton.

  • Will pre-pandemic office life ever make a comeback?

    Aug 29, 2022 8:00 am

    Amit Kramer, professor of labor and employment relations, speaks about the future of office work.

  • Eric Larson and Sally McConkey are standing in the U. of I.’s Red Oak Rain Garden, which has won conservation awards for its incorporation of water runoff features into a functional landscape. Photo by Fred Zwicky

    How do we measure community disaster resilience?

    Aug 12, 2022 8:45 am

    Illinois State Water Survey engineer Sally McConkey explores the factors that support – and the methods for measuring – county-level community resilience in the face of disaster.

  • Political Science professor Nick Grossman

    What's the future of drones in counterterrorism operations, Ukraine war?

    Aug 8, 2022 12:30 pm

    International relastions expert Nicholas Grossman, author of 'Drones and Terrorism: Asymmetric Warfare and the Threat to Global Security,' talks about the implications of the U.S. killing former al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri by drone.

  • Robert Brunner, the associate dean for innovation and chief disruption officer at the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Photo by Fred Zwicky

    What’s the potential of blockchain technology?

    Jul 13, 2022 9:45 am

    Blockchain technology has the potential to transform industries ranging from health care to government, says Robert Brunner, the associate dean for innovation and chief disruption officer at the Gies College of Business.

  • What explains the cryptocurrency crash?

    Jul 8, 2022 4:15 pm

    Robert Brunner, the associate dean for innovation and chief disruption officer at the Gies College of Business, explains the cryptocurrency market.

  • Silver carp produce more offspring than other carp species. Photo by USGS

    Will renaming carp help control them?

    Jun 27, 2022 9:00 am

    Illinois officials this month announced that Asian carp would now be called 'copi' in an attempt to make the fish more desirable for eating. Creating consumer demand will help enlist commercial fishermen to cull these invasive species.

  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign political science professor Brian Gaines. Photo by L. Brian Stauffer

    Will the Jan. 6 committee hearings affect public opinion?

    Jun 20, 2022 10:00 am

    'The one-sidedness of the entire process, where no one has presented alternative perspectives or cross-examined witnesses, hasn’t helped its cause,' says elections expert and Illinois political science professor Brian Gaines.

  • Edward A. Kolodziej, Emeritus Research Professor of Political Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and an expert in international relations and global politics. Photo by L. Brian Stauffer

    What are the global security implications of Russia's invasion of Ukraine?

    Jun 15, 2022 9:15 am

    The Russian invasion of Ukraine directly challenges the security order established by the Western democracies after World War II, said Edward A. Kolodziej, an expert in international relations and global politics.

     

  • Toby Beauchamp is a professor of gender and women’s studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    Why are so many states trying to limit transgender rights?

    Jun 14, 2022 2:00 pm

    An increasing number of states are proposing anti-transgender bills aimed at issues affecting children. They will lead to more legislation limiting the rights of transgender adults as well, says Professor Toby Beauchamp.

  • U of I sociologist Cynthia Buckley. Photo by Brian Stauffer

    Considering a nation without Roe v. Wade

    May 24, 2022 9:30 am

    How other nations deal with abortion reveals what the U.S. might face in the near future, and U of I sociologist Cynthia Buckley says the U.S. is not prepared to deal with a likely increase of unwanted and unplanned births.

  • Richard L. Kaplan, the Guy Raymond Jones Chair in Law at Illinois and an expert on U.S. tax policy and retirement issues. Photo by L. Brian Stauffer

    Expert: Secure Act regulations seek to dispel 'illusion of wealth' for older adults

    May 12, 2022 9:45 am

    New disclosures on quarterly retirement account statements may alarm some workers who could find their projected monthly retirement income to be 'seriously deficient,' says law professor and tax policy expert Richard L. Kaplan.

  • Plague doctor: ein Kleydung under den Todt. Photo via Wikimedia Commons

    How does history suggest work will change following the pandemic?

    May 6, 2022 8:45 am

    Following a pandemic, workers historically have recognized the value of their labor and become unwilling to accept poor wages and working conditions, said medieval studies expert Carol Symes.

  • Scott Irwin, the Laurence J. Norton Chair of Agricultural Marketing at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

    Will Russian invasion of Ukraine spark a global food crisis?

    May 3, 2022 8:00 am

    Professor Scott Irwin: 'On the international front, the invasion of Ukraine is having a major impact on worldwide grain, livestock and food markets because of the role of the Black Sea region as a major supplier of the world’s grain needs.'

  • adjunct law professor Taisa Markus. Photo by Michelle Hassel

    How effective have economic sanctions been against Russia?

    Apr 20, 2022 8:30 am

    Sanctions imposed against Russia and Belarus as punishment for invading Ukraine have had an effect but may only have meaningful consequences in the longer term, says a U of I expert in securities law and cross-border capital markets.

  • Patrick Keenan. Photo by Illinois College of Law

    Will anyone be held accountable for war crimes in Ukraine?

    Apr 4, 2022 9:45 am

    Russia’s invasion of Ukraine looks increasingly like a clear-cut violation of the U.N. charter and a crime of aggression, which is illegal under international law, says Illinois expert in human rights and international criminal law Patrick Keenan.

  • NFT intials on metallic lock that sits on computer board. Image by Marco Verch via Wikimedia Commons

    Q and A on NFTs: What they are and their legal, creative, and environment implications

    Mar 30, 2022 10:15 am

    Many questions surround NFTs, such as what they are (or could become), why prices are so varied, what makes them special, and why there are now concerns about them. Prof. Lav Varshney and researcher Kyle Soska answer some of those questions.

  • Firefighter enters a badly damaged Kharkiv regional state administration building. Photo via Wikimedia Commons

    How does Russian invasion exacerbate Ukraine's humanitarian crisis?

    Mar 29, 2022 11:45 am

    The damage sustained by Ukraine during the ongoing Russian invasion will require years of rebuilding efforts, necessitating broad-based investments by the U.S., the EU and NATO member states, says Illinois professor Cynthia Buckley.

  • U of I history professor and expert on medical history Rana Hogarth. Photo by L. Brian Stauffer

    Can historical racism in medicine help explain current racial differences in medical care?

    Mar 21, 2022 9:00 am

    Acquiring new medical knowledge and assessing health are not as objective as people think, and historical beliefs about racial differences continue to cause problems in medical practice and scientific research, said U of I history professor Rana Hogarth.

  • Aerospace engineering professor Kelly Stephani. Photo by L. Brian Stauffer

    Why is the use of hypersonic missiles in the Russia-Ukraine conflict significant?

    Mar 22, 2022 8:45 am

    Russia used a hypersonic ballistic missile to destroy an underground arms depot in western Ukraine, marking the first known use of a hypersonic missile in combat. Professor Kelly Stephani explains what makes hypersonic missiles different.

  • Natural resources and environmental sciences professor Lowell Gentry. Photo by L. B. Stauffer

    How do we solve the problem of agricultural nutrient runoff?

    Mar 10, 2022 9:15 am

    Runoff from Midwestern farms is a major contributor to a vast 'dead zone' in the Gulf of Mexico where excess nutrients cause algae to overpopulate, suffocating other aquatic life. U of I researcher Lowell Gentry looks at possible solutions.

  • University Library professor Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe. Photo by Cindy Brya

    How will termination of research partnerships with Russia affect global scientific research?

    Mar 7, 2022 2:45 pm

    Some research institutions are ending scientific collaborations with Russia since its invasion of Ukraine - actions that are a significant shift in policy from a long tradition of scientific diplomacy, according to Illinois professor Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe. 

  • An empty Coors Field in Colorado. Photo by Jarrett Stewart via Flickr

    Who wins, who loses in MLB labor dispute?

    Mar 2, 2022 10:15 am

    The current MLB lockout is already shaping up to be the most pivotal labor dispute in the sport since the mid-1990s, which means fans should prepare for the likelihood of more canceled games, says U of I labor law expert Michael LeRoy.

  • Professor Ying Fang. Photo by Chris Beuoy

    Can pet dogs be infected with coronavirus?

    Feb 25, 2022 3:30 pm

    On Feb. 6, a team led by U of I pathobiology professor Ying Fang diagnosed a pet dog in Chicago with the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans. This is the first dog in Illinois to test positive for the coronavirus.

  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign business professor and consumer marketing expert Maria A. Rodas. Photo by Gies College of Business

    What explains the continuing appeal of Super Bowl advertisements?

    Feb 11, 2022 10:30 am

    Maria Rodas, an expert in consumer behavior and brand management, speaks about the enduring popularity of Super Bowl advertisements. This year, the network broadcasting the game has sold several 30 second spots for a record-high $7 million.

  • John Scott, a senior chemist with the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center. Photo by L. Brian Stauffer

    How can Illinois address the problem of PFAS pollution?

    Feb 10, 2022 8:15 am

    Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are widespread, long-lasting and extremely difficult to remove from the environment. 'It seems that everywhere we look for PFAS, they turn up,' says U of I chemist John Scott.

  • political scientist and international relations expert Nicholas Grossman. Photo by L. Brian Stauffer

    What are the consequences for US interests in Russia-Ukraine conflict?

    Feb 1, 2022 8:15 am

    The brewing Russia-Ukraine conflict will have significant consequences for U.S. interests in Eastern Europe, said U of I international relations expert Nicholas Grossman. He talks about the many ways the situation could play out.

  • elder law expert Richard L. Kaplan. Photo by Brian Stauffer

    How vulnerable to inflation are the finances of older adults?

    Jan 31, 2022 9:15 am

    Social Security’s annual cost-of-living adjustment takes some of the sting out of inflation for older adults, said University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign elder law and tax policy expert Richard L. Kaplan.

  • Scott Althaus, the Cline center’s director and a professor of both political science and communication. Photo by Leslie Stauffer

    One year later: Was the capitol attack a coup?

    Jan 5, 2022 9:30 am

    A U of I research group’s Coup D’état Project categorized the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as an 'attempted dissident coup.' That classification could evolve if investigations reveal evidence that other types of actors were involved.

  • U of I social work professor Tara Powell. Photo by Leslie Brian Stauffer

    How can we identify, respond to pandemic-triggered mental health crises?

    Dec 23, 2021 8:45 am

    With many adults and children experiencing 'pandemic fatigue' from the continuing disruptions caused by the coronavirus, more people may be at risk of toxic stress and other mental health problems, says social work professor Tara Powell.

  • atmospheric sciences professor and department head (Robert) Jeff Trapp. Photo by L. Brian Stauffer

    How common are December tornadoes in the US and why are they so dangerous?

    Dec 14, 2021 8:30 am

    Even though December tornadoes are rare, they pose a significant threat because of their unexpectedness and tendency to occur after sunset while people are sleeping, unaware of the impending danger, says Professor (Robert) Jeff Trapp.

  • Professor, labor expert Bob Bruno. 2015 photo by Brian Stauffer

    Will unionization push among retail workers continue in 2022?

    Dec 10, 2021 2:00 pm

    The unionization of a Starbucks store is a potential watershed moment for organized labor and reflects changes to the underlying conditions impacting the balance of power between capital and labor, says U. of I. labor expert Robert Bruno.

  • ook cover and author photo. Photo courtesy Wesley Moore and photo illustration by L. Brian Stauffer

    How does society impact the benefits and challenges of technology?

    Dec 8, 2021 10:30 am

    A new book by electrical and computer engineering professor Rakesh Kumar examines how a country’s culture and society influence its adoption of new technologies and vice versa – using India as a case study. 

  • Illinois State Water Survey climate researcher Ashish Sharma. Photo by Fred Zwicky

    How can cities help accelerate climate action to meet COP26 goals?

    Nov 18, 2021 9:00 am

    Climate change acts as a threat multiplier to a city’s infrastructure, economic development and public health. (And) cities are taking action because they can. Local governments are most responsive to constituents who are demanding action.

  • Edward A. Kolodziej, an emeritus research professor of political science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and an expert in international relations and global politics. Photo by L. Brian Stauffer

    What are the geopolitical implications of US nuclear submarine deal with Australia?

    Nov 11, 2021 10:15 am

    The U.S.-U.K. sale of nuclear subs to Australia is a response to China’s military ambitions in the South China Sea,  said global politics expert Edward Kolodziej. But it effectively cut out France's participation in defining the security architecture of East Asia.

  • Professor Leslie Looney. Photo by L. Brian Stauffer

    A large asteroid will pass by Earth this weekend. Should we worry?

    Nov 10, 2021 9:30 am

    'Anything over 140 meters in diameter could cause major damage to cities or coasts, so any NEO with orbits that cross Earth’s orbit is classified as a potentially hazardous object.' The one we'll see this weekend is 160 meters.

  • Professor Emily Knox. Photo by: Chris Marcinek

    Why is a past attempt to ban 'Beloved' from a high school curriculum a political issue now?

    Nov 10, 2021 8:45 am

    Professor Emily Knox, author of 'Book Banning in 21st-Century America,' says societal issues, such as changing racial demographics and disagreements over how to teach the history of race, prompt challenges to certain kinds of books.

  • Professor Atul Jain. Photo by Leslie B. Stauffer

    Are global CO2 emissions rebounding to pre-COVID-19 levels?

    Nov 9, 2021 12:15 pm

    The annual Carbon Budget Project report found that global fossil carbon dioxide emissions in 2021 are set to rebound close to their pre-COVID-19 levels, says Illinois atmospheric sciences professor and report co-author Atul Jain.

  • Rebecca Lee Smith, an epidemiologist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Photo by Fred Zwicky

    Do kids need a COVID-19 vaccine?

    Nov 4, 2021 9:15 am

    The availability of a COVID-19 vaccine for school-aged children offers protection for children as well as easing challenges faced by their families and their schools, says Rebecca Lee Smith, a U of I epidemiologist.

  • Dr. Leyi Wang and the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory have played a key role in diagnosing coronavirus infection in animal species in zoos across the country. Photo by Leslie Stauffer

    Which animals can catch the coronavirus?

    Oct 14, 2021 2:30 pm

    The U of I's Veterinary Diagnostic Lab has played a key role in diagnosing coronavirus infection in animal species in zoos across the country. This is important work for understanding the virus’s behavior and its broad host range, Wang says.

  • Professor Michael Leroy. Photo by L. Brian Stauffer

    Are President Biden's vaccine mandates lawful?

    Sep 20, 2021 9:30 am

    The new vaccination requirements for the federal workforce will likely be upheld by the courts, but the OSHA mandate is on shakier legal ground, says labor relations expert Michael LeRoy.

  • Professor Jay Rosenstein. Photo coutesy of himself.

    What has been the impact of the Washington Football Team's name change?

    Sep 20, 2021 11:30 am

    The changes in the past year in the use of Native American imagery in sports and elsewhere have been unprecedented, said Jay Rosenstein, a Center for Advanced Study professor of media and cinema studies.