色界吧

色界吧 faculty are experts in their field and regularly provide commentary to domestic and international media outlets. Read about their latest contributions to public dialogue!

2023

The lawsuit hoping to retract approval of the abortion drug mifepristone is spearheaded by a group claiming the authority of "Hippocratic medicine." In a for Nursing Cleo, Kristi Upson-Saia , who holds the David B. and Mary H. Gamble Professorship in Religion, examines the historical precedents of framing pregnancy as an illness.

Peter Dreier -- the E.P. Clapp Distinguished Professor of Politics and Professor of Urban  and Environmental Policy -- and coauthor wrote about baseball for . They examine the history of labor struggles between professional baseball players and team owners during the Gilded Age. 

Associate Professor of History Jane Hong was by Melissa Harris-Perry on NPR's The Takeaway about her work on Asian American conservatism. Professor Hong discussed the  role of religion and its intersection with politics in Asian-American communities. .

Professor of History Marla Stone was by Sylvia Poggioli of NPR about the persistent presence of Fascist monuments in Rome. Professor Stone points out that Italian fascists used monuments to expand messages of nationalism, strength, and masculinity.

Billington Visiting Professor of U.S. History Thomas Balcerski why the State of the Union address exists to The Miami Herald and the 20-year anniversary of George W. Bush's 2003 State of the Union Address, which foreshadowed the Iraq War, for The National News.

Marla Stone , Professor of History, to the Associated Press article on the firing of a Florida charter school principal for showing a photo of Michelangelo's David. Professor Stone argued that censoring the principal reflected a larger moral panic about art and sexuality.

Billington Visiting Professor of History Thomas Balcerski the remarkable life and service of former president Jimmy Carter. His commentary for Connecticut News Junkie highlights President Carter鈥檚 oft-overlooked achievements in office.

The Golden Goose awards go to scientific research that sounds trivial, but in fact changes the world. Radiolab covered this year鈥檚 winners, and Professor of Biology Joseph Schulz about his research studying cone snails.

Assistant Professor of Physics Sabrina Stierwalt appeared in of PBS Nova to describe the work her group is doing with the James Webb Space Telescope.

Sierra Leone鈥檚 2023 elections were the first to feature a new gender quota law, requiring that women must comprise 30 percent of parties鈥 candidates for office. Associate Professor of Politics Jennifer Piscopo Foreign Policy about whether and when such 鈥榞ender quota laws鈥 can be successful.

Assistant Professor of Politics Isaac Hale is frequently seen and heard in state and national outlets, unpacking the politics of the day! Recently, Professor Hale appeared on Spectrum News and LiveNOW to discuss the and of California Senator Dianne Feinstein's extended Senate absence, President Joe Biden鈥檚 that he is seeking reelection, and the of former President Donald Trump. In another LiveNOW appearance, Professor Hale immigration policy, the debt ceiling, Trump鈥檚 ongoing legal battles, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis鈥檚 campaign launch.

Associate Professor of Music Shanna Lorenz works with Indigenous communities on digital privacy. Scientific American Professor Lorenz about how digital applications can support research by and about Indigenous communities while maintaining data sovereignty.

A major Democratic super PAC鈥檚 announced its plans to spend $35 million on California House races in 2024. For Roll Call, Assistant Professor of Politics Isaac Hale how vulnerable House Republicans have held their seats in recent cycles.

In an for The Boston Globe, E.P. Clapp Distinguished Professor of Politics and Professor of Urban  and Environmental Policy Peter Dreier analyzes Boston Mayor Michelle Wu鈥檚 housing policy. Professor Dreier and coauthor argue that Mayor Wu鈥檚 rent control proposal - which requires approval of the state legislature - is both pro-business and pro-tenant and will help address the city's serious housing crisis.

Billington Professor of History Thomas Balcerski the long strange history of contested elections for Speaker of the House for CNN. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is the first house speaker in exactly a century who failed to be elected on the first ballot.

Associate Professor of Politics Jennifer Piscopo on the Democracy Paradox podcast to discuss Chile鈥檚 stalled efforts at writing a new constitution. Building on her in The Journal of Democracy, Professor Piscopo argues that Chile鈥檚 new constitution offered a standard blueprint for social democracy, but fell victim to fearmongering and fake news.

2022

Arts & Humanities

Billington Professor of U.S. History Thomas Balcerski continues to explain the Biden Administration to the American public. Professor Balcerski about the White House wedding of President Biden鈥檚 granddaughter, explaining how weddings help humanize the holders of high office. For The National News, Professor Balcerski Biden鈥檚 political career on the eve of the president鈥檚 birthday, commenting that the President has shown the public that 鈥80 is not what it used to be.鈥

Billington Professor of History Thomas Balcerski analyzed the history behind President Biden's decision of whether or not to run for reelection in 2024. In his , Professor Balcerski notes that, if Biden decides not to run, he would be the first first-term incumbent president since 1876 to decline.

In a for Public Religion Research Initiative, Associate Professor of History Jane Hong remembers the March 2021 Atlanta spa shootings and discusses how differing racial perceptions of Asian Americans may affect Georgia officials' approach to prosecuting the shooter.

Sciences

Assistant Professor of Chemistry Raul Navarro was named one of Chemical & Engineering News Magazine's LGBTQ+ . In his with the magazine, Professor Navarro discusses developing his identity as a queer scientist.

Social Sciences

Associate Professor of Politics Jennifer Piscopo is the invited international investigator on a Uruguay-based project investigating backlash to abortion rights in the Americas. In December, the Uruguayan newspaper La Diaria and published a feature-length interview with her about the U.S. Supreme Court鈥檚 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson.

Black communities have been targeted for sales for some of the most toxic beauty products. In the , Associate Professor of Urban and Environmental Politics Bhavna Shamasunder reflected on the slow rate of progress in eliminating hazards from the products. While the clean beauty industry is ramping up, Black communities are being left behind.

Associate Professor of Politics Jennifer Piscopo Morning Consult about Mexico President Andres Manual Lopez Obrador鈥檚 ongoing popularity. Piscopo Piscopo highlights how Lopez Obrador鈥檚 infrastructure investments and social programs maintain popular goodwill, even as he attacks well-liked institutions like Mexico鈥檚 Federal Electoral Institute.

Billington Visiting Professor of History Thomas Balcerski has been explaining results of the 2022 U.S. midterm elections. Professor Balcerski was the National News about the relative underperformance of candidates backed by former President Trump and NBC Connecticut's "Face the Facts" to discuss how midterm elections usually constitute a loss for the incumbent president-- and why this year was different.

Associate Professor of Politics Jennifer Piscopo talked about Trump, Republican losses, and Democratic gains in the U.S. 2022 midterm elections Santiago, Chile, on Estacion Central 94.5 fm, and to reporter Dan Balz of .

Assistant Professor of Politics Isaac Hale was about California鈥檚 ballot Propositions 26 and 27, both of which would have legalized sports betting in the state. Professor Hale noted that Proposition 27 is now the most expensive ballot measure in California history.

Following Brazil鈥檚 congressional elections, Associate Professor of Politics Jennifer Piscopo NPR鈥檚 Carrie Kahn about why Brazil elects so few women to Congress. Professor Piscopo highlighted problems related to Brazil鈥檚 election law and persistent discrimination against women candidates.

Assistant Professor of Politics Isaac Hale and his coauthors wrote a for the London School of Economics鈥 United States and Public Policy blog about their recent article on COVID-19 attitudes and the 2020 presidential election. Professor Hale and coauthors found that economic concerns trumped public health for many voters.

Associate Professor of Economics Andrew Jalil California鈥檚 KCRW to discuss rising inflation in the United States. Professor Jalil explained that the Federal Reserve is striving for a 鈥淕oldilocks moment,鈥 where they raise interest rates enough to slow inflation but not so much as to provoke a recession.

While Biden allies have said he will seek a second term, the president has shied away from making any public declarations. Thomas Balcerski, the Billington Professor History, Travis Smiley on KBLA 1580 to unpack the great risk that has come with Biden鈥檚 waffling on a future presidential run.

Will the Supreme Court abortion ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson bring more women voters to the polls in November? Not necessarily, Associate Professor of Politics Jennifer Piscopo in The Washington Post. Other issues--like climate, gun control, and inflation--will also shape how women vote.

Assistant Professor of Politics Isaac Hale appeared on about California Propositions 26 and 27, which are competing measures to legalize sports better either in-person or online. If approved, the propositions would make California a major destination for sports gambling in the United states and globally.

Stop blaming women for failing to run for office, and start blaming parties for failing to nominate them, argues Associate Professor of Politics Jennifer Piscopo in , which appeared in The Toronto Star. The analysis contributes to the new Gender Balance campaign, which aims to elect more women to office in Canada.

Assistant Professor of Economics Jorgen Harris published in The Conversation describing his research on gender and employment in the judiciary. The article highlights a by Harris and his coauthors, published in the Journal of Labor Economics, which found that male judges on appellate courts are more likely to hire women as clerks when they share the bench with female judges.

Associate Professor of Politics Jennifer Piscopo appeared on Al Jazeera鈥檚 showto talk about Chile鈥檚 constitutional referendum, held on September 4, 2022. Professor Piscopo stressed the outsized role played by fake news, misinformation about the new constitution鈥檚 effects that contributed to its defeat.

Associate Professor of Economics Andrew Jalil was (a producer of economic and business news for NPR) about the Federal Reserve's recent interest rate hikes and the likelihood of recession. Professor Jalil explained how high inflation will lead to higher borrowing costs, which in turn depresses investment and consumer spending.

Associate Professor of Politics Jennifer Piscopo鈥檚 latest op-ed criticizes Canada鈥檚 claims to lead the globe on gender equality, given that Canada ranks 59 in the world for the number of women in politics. Her op-ed appeared in the , the leading newspaper in the federal capital, was translated into French by , and inspired a new social media campaign to elect more women to office in Canada.

Assistant Professor of Politics Isaac Hale was interviewed on the NBC-affiliate KCRA about California Propositions and . Later, he repeated his appearance on . Both propositions are on the ballot in November, and Professor Hale explains the different approaches that each would take to legalizing sports betting.

Chile has written a new constitution--but one that has embolden an anti-democratic right wing, explains Associate Professor of Politics Jennifer Piscopo in in Foreign Policy. The essay (co-authored with Peter Siavelis at Wake Forest University) discusses how the new constitution advances towards justice while deepening political polarization.

Associate Professor of Urban and Environmental Politics Bhavna Shamasunder appears in the new HBO Max documentary. The series highlights Professor Shamasunder鈥檚 expertise by focusing on the hair, skin, nails and personal care products industries. The show aims to raise awareness about chemicals and inspire consumers to make choices that better safeguard their and the planet鈥檚 health.

Associate Professor of Politics Jennifer Piscopo鈥檚 in The Washington Post examines the rise of Francia Marquez, an Afro-descendant feminist, lawyer, and environmentalist vying for the vice-presidency in Colombia鈥檚 May 2022 elections. Piscopo and coauthor argue that Marquez鈥檚 ascendancy marks a shifts in Colombian politics, as voters look to members of traditionally marginalized groups to chart a new, more progerssive path for the country.

Professor of Politics and Urban and Environmental Studies Peter Dreier reassesses Norman Mailer's controversial 1957 essay, "The White Negro" in for Common Dreams. Dreier reflects on the essay as both an historical artifact and a measure of the changing ways American society, and the American Left, has dealt with racism.

Associate Professor of Politics Jennifer Piscopo鈥檚 in the Washington Post marked International Women鈥檚 Day by discussing governments鈥 startling lack of progress in addressing the gendered inequities in the COVID-19 pandemic. Piscopo explained that longstanding norms associating care work with women's work explains governments' reluctance to provide care services in the form of public goods.

Assistant Professor of Urban and Environmental Politics, Seva Rodnyansky, appeared on ABC7. The highlighted Professor Rodnyansky鈥檚 research on how Bay Area out-migration has increased super-commuting in the Central Valley. Destinations for lower-income migrants show higher rates of having long commutes.

Associate Professor of Politics Jennifer Piscopo appeared on NPR鈥檚 All Things Considered, in an discussing the large numbers of women holding elected office in Mexico. Professor Piscopo spoke with Carrie Kahn about how women from Mexico鈥檚 left and right parties won the adoption of a gender parity rule, where half of all elected and appointed offices across government must be filled by wome

Contact Center for Research & Scholarship
Aleksandra Sherman
Associate Professor, Cognitive Science; Director, Center for Research & Scholarship