By James Cronin, Professor in Marketing and Consumer Culture Studies, Lancaster University
Sophie James, Lecturer in Security and Protection Science, Lancaster University
Death has never entirely stopped the living from trying to continue a conversation with their loved ones.
Today, AI-powered deathbots and a growing range of “grief tech” bring to market several ways that consumers can recreate the voices of the deceased. They open new commercial opportunities and experiences alongside uncomfortable…
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By Iona Burnell Reilly, Senior Lecturer in Sociology of Education, University of East London
Jackie Carter, Professor Emeritus in Statistical Literacy, University of Manchester
Higher education is not a neutral space. It is built on longstanding histories of classism, elitism and exclusion. Universities in the UK were not designed for the working class, just as they were not designed for many other under-represented and marginalised groups, such as women, people of the global ethnic majority and people with disabilities.
Widening participation has expanded access to students from under-represented…
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By Richard K.F. Unsworth, Associate Professor in Marine Biology, Swansea University
Benjamin Jones, Chief Conservation Officer, Project Seagrass; Florida International University
Leanne Cullen-Unsworth, Research Fellow & Chief Executive Officer, Project Seagrass, Cardiff University
At least 18 million people living in poverty across the Indo-Pacific fish in seagrass meadows, while around 6.5 million rely on them as their only fishing grounds. For these communities, the underwater habitats are not simply part of the natural environment but a source of food and a means of earning a living.
But these important fishing grounds face growing pressure from coastal development, changes in land use and poor water quality. When seagrass meadows are damaged or lost, the consequences…
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By Andy M Morley, Subject Lead: Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Lancashire
Sandi Mann, Senior Lecturer, Psychology, University of Lancashire
When the clocks “fall back” in the autumn, it signals the start of the winter months. And, for many, this time change also signals the start of a difficult period – where the cold weather and long nights wear on their mental health.
To help you adjust to the darker evenings, here are our five top tips for easing your way through the winter:
1. Make the most of the daylight
Natural light regulates our body clock – the internal system which influences our sleep…
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By Stephanie A. (Sam) Martin, Frank and Bethine Church Endowed Chair of Public Affairs, Boise State University
In Donald Trump’s second term, congressional leaders have given up much of their constitutionally endowed power, allowing the president to exercise authority with little fear of consequences.
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By Barbara A. Trish, Professor of Political Science, Grinnell College
A political scientist who studies AI in campaigns explains why data centers have put Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon on the same side ahead of the midterms.
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By Roxanne Prichard, Professor of Psychology, University of St. Thomas
Exercise, avoiding alcohol or even getting enough sleep aren’t the factors most connected to college students’ well-being.
Spending face-to-face time with friends and other people is the strongest predictor of their mental health, according to a 2026 study of nearly 80,000 students that I conducted with the help of my students.
This finding matters because young people are spending less time together in person and more time communicating…
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By Robin Brewer, Associate Professor of Information, University of Michigan
It’s easy to stereotype older adults as tech-averse or novice tech users. Yet a growing number of adults age 60 and older are embracing artificial intelligence, using it for entertainment, planning trips and even accessing health information.
I study how people interact with computers and technology – and specifically, how older adults use voice assistants and AI-powered chatbots like Amazon…
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By Daniel Cohan, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University
Five decades ago, he charted two paths for energy use in the US. His soft path rightly emphasized efficiency and renewables but underestimated the importance of electricity.
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By Katherine Pukinskis, Assistant Professor of Music, Carnegie Mellon University
1 in 4 known pregnancies in the US ends in loss. A composer explains how those numbers, along with doctors’ expertise, became a 60-minute chamber work.
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