blog posts Should educators worry about ChatGPT? Apr 4, 2023 10:15 am Educators need to help students understand and use artificial intelligence language tools in appropriate ways to prepare them for a future in which their use is commonplace, says information sciences professor Ted Underwood. 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. Are we experiencing another unaccompanied child 'crisis' at the southern US border? Jun 15, 2021 9:15 am The issue of unaccompanied migrant children at the southern U.S. border has embroiled the previous three presidential administrations because there’s no easy solution to the problem, says law professor Lauren Aronson. How will public spaces change as result of the COVID-19 pandemic? Jun 17, 2020 8:45 am Pandemics have changed our physical spaces throughout history, but changes made as a result of COVID-19 may not be long-lasting, says Illinois architecture professor Benjamin Bross. 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. How does a grand jury function in Russia probe? Aug 8, 2017 4:15 pm Special counsel Robert Mueller has empaneled a federal grand jury in relation to his investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. What does that mean? Have we gone too far trashing politics? Sep 8, 2020 11:15 am Illinois communication professor Ned O’Gorman doesn’t want us to give up on politics. His book 'Politics for Everybody' argues for the necessity of politics, but 'authentic politics,' not winner-take-all. Will anything ever change for the Kurds? Nov 7, 2019 1:45 pm 'Despite decades of domestic conflict between Turks and Kurds, there is no centuries-old feud. ...The current conflict, including Turkish incursion into northern Syria, is largely a story about political power.' Are outspoken social media users more polarized in their views on racial equality? Dec 8, 2022 9:30 am 'As racial resentment increases, support for All Lives Matter increases and support for Black Lives Matter decreases. This relationship persisted even when we controlled for factors such as political conservatism,' says study leader Stewart Coles. Do labor laws need to be modernized with rise of gig economy? Mar 1, 2021 8:00 am The Protecting the Right to Organize Act would be the most significant revision of U.S. labor law since 1947, says Michael LeRoy, an expert in labor law. Why do so few community college grads transfer to elite colleges? Mar 18, 2019 2:30 pm Community college transfer students are underrepresented at selective four-year institutions, even though they complete degrees at equal or higher rates than their peers, says researcher Eboni Zamani-Gallaher Is autism a disorder, an identity or both? Apr 22, 2018 8:30 am Speech and hearing science professor Laura DeThorne on the need to broaden public perceptions of autism to take into account individuals’ unique experiences, skills and strengths What effect will COVID-19 have on consumer bankruptcies? Apr 29, 2020 8:00 am Professor Robert Lawless, a leading consumer credit and bankruptcy expert, discusses the potential for a surge in consumer bankruptcy filings due to the coronavirus pandemic. What effect will COVID-19 have on end-of-life and retirement issues? May 14, 2020 8:45 am The continued spread of COVID-19 should prompt adults to start seriously thinking about end-of-life issues such as writing a will, said U of I law professor and elder law expert Richard L. Kaplan. 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. Is it possible to overcome our biases in the face of conflict? Jun 4, 2020 4:45 pm Travis Dixon is a professor of communication at Illinois whose research deals with the prevalence and impact of racial and other stereotypes in the mass media. Do summer jobs provide lifelong benefits for teens? Jun 11, 2018 9:00 am Employers want employees with communication skills and good work ethics. Teens can get practice those in summer jobs, where the consequences are lower than in a professional job later in life Are the ultrawealthy breaking the law in avoiding taxes? Jun 16, 2021 8:00 am The ultrawealthy aren’t breaking the law in avoiding taxes, but public outrage over their financial legerdemain could prompt legislators to consider an annual wealth tax, says tax policy expert Richard L. Kaplan. How might teaching inclusive history affect the educational climate in Illinois' public schools? Jun 26, 2018 10:00 am A bill under consideration in the Illinois Legislature could have a transformative effect on history curricula – and kids – in public schools, according to the U of I's Leslie K. Morrow Why are familiar brands with Black images getting a rethink? Jun 29, 2020 8:00 am Aunt Jemima is retiring. Uncle Ben is changing. Mrs. Butterworth is getting a review. These and other familiar brands are being rethought due to their use of Black images. Advertising professor Jason Chambers explains why. How might 'Medicare for All' reshape health care in the U.S.? Jul 2, 2019 10:30 am A single-payer health care system such as Medicare for All could expand access to care at equivalent costs – or less – to most consumers, according to health policy expert Thomas O’Rourke. Can a state copyright its own laws – and prevent citizens from republishing them? Jul 15, 2019 10:45 am Sara Benson, expert on copyright law, talks about a pending U.S. Supreme Court case that will determine the legality of a state copyrighting its own laws – potentially making it illegal to republish them. What is a neutrino and why do they matter? Jul 18, 2018 9:30 am Illinois physics professor Liang Yang discusses the significance of the recent neutrino detection in Antarctica and what it means for the future of observational astronomy How can the world prevent emerging infectious diseases, protect food security? Jul 20, 2021 10:00 am Postdoctoral researcher Valeria Trivellone describes how climate change, globalization, urbanization and trade in wildlife all contribute to the emergence of new infectious diseases and worsen food insecurity. Should the government implement a vaccine passport system? Jul 29, 2021 8:45 am Vaccine passports strike the right balance between letting life go on for those vaccinated against COVID-19 while still being realistic about the ongoing public health crisis in the U.S., said bioethics expert Jacob Sherkow. Are you ready for the solar eclipse? Aug 15, 2017 9:45 am Astronomy professor Leslie Looney on what will it look like on – and off – the 'path of totality.' In person or by mail? What to consider in choosing how to vote Sep 14, 2020 11:15 am Illinois political science professor Brian Gaines has some suggestions for choosing how to cast a ballot this fall – by mail or in person – and what to watch for in the election. 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. 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. Should the Senate conduct Supreme Court hearing amid pandemic, election season? Oct 12, 2020 9:15 am There is no election-year exception to the process the Constitution creates for the nomination of individuals to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, says law professor Jason Mazzone. What’s behind surge in unaccompanied minors crossing southern U.S. border? Oct 17, 2019 9:15 am Poverty, natural disasters and the rise of gang recruitment in their home countries all contribute, but the biggest factor is that their countries of origin are as violent as war zones, says law professor Lauren Aronson. U of I audiologist ‘hopeful’ about FDA ruling allowing over-the-counter hearing aid sales Oct 26, 2022 2:00 pm There are several devices that can be used to simply amplify sound. These are not hearing aids and 'are not meant to treat hearing loss,' says audiologist Sadie Braun. Before buying anything, she urges people to get a professional hearing check. How can the 2022 Global Carbon Budget report help inform UN Climate Summit? Nov 11, 2022 11:00 am Atmospheric sciences professor Atul Jain hopes the latest global carbon budget report encourages policies that conserve global ecosystems, limit global warming – and continue to push for low-carbon tech and phasing out fossil fuels. Can employers legally require employees to vaccinate against COVID-19? Dec 7, 2020 9:30 am In most cases, an employer could require a COVID-19 vaccination. It might seem like a violation of an employee’s personal freedom, but “No one has a legally enforceable right to a specific job,” says Professor Michael LeRoy 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. Brexit clouded by uncertainty, says Gies professor Dec 11, 2018 11:45 am With the scheduled Brexit vote cancelled for Dec. 11, Gies College of Business professor Candace Martinez says, 'Uncertainties are everywhere. This is uncharted waters, to be sure.' 2020 a bad year in many ways, but what about global carbon emissions? Dec 15, 2020 9:00 am The annual Carbon Budget Project report found that the global COVID-19 pandemic restrictions caused a record drop in CO2 emissions for 2020, says Illinois atmospheric sciences professor and report co-author Atul Jain. What are the legal, practical bounds of free speech on college campuses? Dec 18, 2023 9:00 am One of the problems with university 'speech codes' is that they’re selectively enforced, says Lena Shapiro, the inaugural director of the First Amendment Clinic at the U of I College of Law. 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. Would modifying payment of the earned income tax credit help struggling families? Jan 23, 2020 11:15 am Researchers found that paying the earned income tax credit in quarterly installments reduced financial stress and food insecurity among struggling families in Chicago public housing. Paper: California's proposal to manufacture insulin could curb prices, improve public health Jan 24, 2023 9:30 am Legal scholar Jacob Sherkow argues that the state of California’s proposal to manufacture and distribute insulin at cost could be a game-changer for curbing out-of-control price increases, but there are hurdles to overcome first. How might Freedom Schools promote educational equity in Illinois? Jan 27, 2021 3:30 pm An education reform bill in Illinois establishes a fund for Freedom Schools, which could help address learning gaps children may experience as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Professor Jon Hale. What do we really know about e-cigarettes and vaping? Feb 11, 2019 10:45 am E-cigarettes are relatively untested products with a lot of variability in the kinds of chemicals they contain. So right now, there isn’t a clear picture of the long-term health impacts, says Illinois' Cabral Bigman Can President Biden pass comprehensive immigration reform? Feb 15, 2021 9:30 am Any legislative action on comprehensive immigration reform will face significant headwinds in the Senate, says Lauren R. Aronson, director of the Immigration Law Clinic at Illinois. Should the workweek be shortened to four days? Feb 27, 2023 1:15 pm There’s nothing sacrosanct about the five-day workweek, which is long overdue for an overhaul, says Robert Bruno, a professor of labor and employment relations at Illinois. Consumers across political spectrum share food pricing frustrations Mar 14, 2024 11:30 am 'There aren't many things that the U.S. public agrees on, but this seems to be an exception. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents all feel like they're being overcharged,' says consumer economics professor Maria Kalaitzandonakes. 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. Could social distancing revolutionize online learning and higher education? Mar 25, 2020 10:00 am Education policy experts Mary Kalantzis and Bill Cope talk about how redesigning online courses could reduce costs and broaden access. 'Brexit' is coming – or maybe not. Why is this happening? Mar 26, 2019 10:00 am Illinois political science professor Kostas Kourtikakis explains some of the forces behind 'Brexit' and why it’s so difficult to achieve. Can relationships flourish through technology alone? Mar 31, 2020 9:45 am Technology can be our friend in sustaining close relationships now lacking face time during COVID-19, but it depends on how we use it, says communication professor John Caughlin.