Perspectives

Matthew J. Matava, MD, chief of sports medicine, writes that advances in medical research, technology, education and treatment protocols have resulted in fewer injuries and improved health for football players.

Washington University faculty, staff and students gathered last week to delve into the topic of race and ethnicity. Their thoughts and reactions to the speakers and discussions, shared through social media, are gathered here.

Literary scholar Marjorie Perloff, recipient of the university’s 2014 International Humanities Medal, offers her thoughts on writing poetry for the Arts & Sciences podcast “Hold That Thought.”

The PROTO/LOGICS blog showcases the work of students in a Sam Fox School graduate design studio led by Stephen Mueller. They created designs for future energy projects in light of the Keystone pipeline debate.

T.R. Kidder, PhD, chair of anthropology in Arts & Sciences, talks about his research into how changes in the environment shape people — and how the reverse is also true — for a “People Behind the Science” podcast.

Leslie Laskey, an artist and professor emeritus, helps launch the new arts and culture podcast “Cut & Paste” on St. Louis Public Radio. Laskey talks about where he finds inspiration for his work.

Katherine Henderson, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in English in Arts & Sciences, writes about the multiple perspectives in the hit show “Downton Abbey” for the Center for the Humanities website.

American culture critic Gerald Early, PhD, reviews Scott Saul’s book “Becoming Richard Pryor” in The Washington Post.

Linda Van Dillen, PhD, associate director of musculoskeletal research in physical therapy, talks in a “People Behind the Science” podcast about her research aimed at helping people with low back pain.

Mariah Cushman and Dera Ikeme, both undergraduate students studying engineering, chronicle their lives dealing with classes, seeking internships and daily life around the university.