Perspectives

Our work is far from done. But lowering the barriers to higher education benefits St. Louis, benefits Missouri and benefits WashU itself. Most of all, it benefits talented and deserving students, writes Chancellor Andrew D. Martin.

Wells may have been right about the unending demands of freedom. In many ways, we continue to fight her fight against the erasure of Black history in American history. She was also right that it is a heroic act to care for our fellow humans while we pursue a more just world, writes Amy Gais.

Ultimately, our study is a step toward understanding how transparency and visibility can shape economic outcomes. It highlights a diversity initiative that has benefited both customers and businesses, and provides a road map for companies that want to design initiatives that matter, writes Oren Reshef.

Richard Chapman is a senior lecturer in Film and Media Studies in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. He has written more than 200 hours of network television as well as the Emmy-nominated HBO film “Live From Baghdad” (2002) and the documentary “Dateline-Saigon” (2020).

It is fair to say that America should be healthier again and that transparency, a rebalancing of interests toward the American people, and a reframing of health as a cornerstone of future prosperity and freedom should form key parts of that goal, writes Sandro Galea.

Ephraim Gau, a graduate student in physics in Arts & Sciences, writes in a National Institute of Standards and Technology blog about placing transition edge sensors — and a scientific refrigerator needed to cool them down — onto a balloon that would fly high above most of Earth’s atmosphere.

Happiness expert Tim Bono, associate dean in Arts & Sciences, writes about ways to combat a gloomy mood during this cold time of year. Simple things such as visiting a friend or getting some exercise can make a difference, he said.

Anna Wassel, a doctoral student in biology in Arts & Sciences, takes part in a podcast to explain her research on how pawpaw trees affect the diversity of the plants around them.

There’s so much potential to build upon and expand on long-standing partnerships, establish new ones, and activate the talents of our students and faculty in service to and alongside our region, said Chancellor Andrew D. Martin.

Making a healthier country means putting prevention at the heart of our health agenda, in addition to delivering high-quality, accessible health care to all who need it, writes Sandro Galea.