Perspectives

In the wake of a mass shooting or act of terror, politicians often respond that they are keeping all in “thoughts and prayers.” The fallout over that sentiment in the wake of the San Bernardino, Calif., shootings illustrates the political and rhetorical chasm dividing the country, writes John Inazu, JD, an expert on law and […]

Biologist Bruce A. Carlson, PhD, of Arts & Sciences, describes in Current Biology the long history of attempts to understand how electric eels evolved the ability to deliver such tremendous shocks that their prey was reduced to quivering jelly.

Anne-Marie McManus, PhD, of Arts & Sciences, writes a blog post about her semester teaching a course on Syrian narratives — from novels to films to Facebook posts — and what she has learned from it.

Leah Merrifield, who oversees the university’s innovative College Prep program, discusses that project, and other efforts to bring more low-income students to campus, with the Hechinger Report, an education news website.

Alex Hittle and Anu Hittle, who teach in University College in Arts & Sciences, write a commentary in The Huffington Post about global climate talks underway in Paris. She is also part of a university delegation attending the talks.

Selin A. Malkoc, PhD, of Olin Business School, offers some insight on “Cyber Week,” including the need to distinguish deals from marketing traps.

Sociologist Adia Harvey Wingfield, of Arts & Sciences, writes in The Atlantic about the lack of racial and gender diversity at STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) companies. She says black men can offer support to women at such companies, and that they bring a unique perspective, being in both a majority and a minority.

American religious historian Mark Valeri, PhD, discusses the harrowing tales of Pilgrim immigrants, and how much our collective vision of the first Thanksgiving matches reality, for a “Hold That Thought” podcast from Arts & Sciences.

Spanish literature scholar Stephanie Kirk, PhD, of Arts & Sciences, writes on the Center for the Humanities site about the cloistered women of Jesús María, a Mexico City convent featured in the 1684 book “Parayso Occidental” (Western Paradise).

American culture critic and essayist Gerald Early, PhD, of Arts & Sciences, writes a review in The Washington Post of Linda Hervieux’s book on an all-black unit of barrage balloonists, “Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-Day’s Black Heroes, at Home and at War.”