The Conversation - Trump may help Ukraine

Racism is such a touchy topic that many US educators avoid it – we are college professors who tackled that challenge head on

Adam Seagrave, Arizona State University; Stephanie Shonekan, University of Maryland

A history course created amid the upheaval of the Black Lives Matter movement invites students to have honest conversations about race. Now in its seventh year, it uses music to build bridges.

Trump voters said they were angry about the economy – many of them had a point

Don Leonard, The Ohio State University

If real, inflation-adjusted wages are up, then why are millions of Americans so down about their economic prospects?

Papal elections aren’t always as dramatic as ‘Conclave’ – but the history behind the process is

Joelle Rollo-Koster, University of Rhode Island

The conclave system may seem dramatic, but it was developed after centuries of outside interference and looting.

Here’s what happens when a school is located near a cannabis dispensary

Angus Kittelman, University of Missouri-Columbia; Gulcan Cil, Oregon Health & Science University

Two researchers examine how students’ behavior changes when cannabis becomes more accessible in the area around their school.

Most US book bans target children’s literature featuring diverse characters and authors of color

Katherine Spoon, University of Colorado Boulder; Isabelle Langrock, Sciences Po

The number of book bans in the US has soared in recent years. A new study shines light on which types of books and authors are the main targets.

Countries spend huge sums on fossil fuel subsidies – why they’re so hard to eliminate

Bruce Huber, University of Notre Dame

Countries have promised to reduce their fossil fuel subsidies to fight climate change, but it’s harder to do than it looks. An energy law expert explains the challenges.

Evidence from Snowball Earth found in ancient rocks on Colorado’s Pikes Peak – it’s a missing link

Liam Courtney-Davies, University of Colorado Boulder; Christine Siddoway, Colorado College; Rebecca Flowers, University of Colorado Boulder

Geologists found evidence in the way enigmatic sandstones called Tava formed in the Rocky Mountains hundreds of millions of years ago.

Jails and prisons often fail to protect incarcerated people during natural disasters

Benika Dixon, Texas A&M University; J. Carlee Purdum, University of Houston; Tara Goddard, Texas A&M University

Prisons and jails are difficult to evacuate when wildfires or storms approach. Many of these facilities lack evacuation plans and may keep incarcerated people on-site instead of moving them to safety.

In hundreds of communities across the US, finding a dentist is like pulling teeth − but in 14 states, dental therapists are filling the gap

Donald Chi, University of Washington

Studies show that people who can easily access dental care are more likely to go for cleanings and other procedures.

How Trump might target DACA recipients and other immigrant groups

I’m a neuroscientist who taught rats to drive − their joy suggests how anticipating fun can enrich human life

Voters in Arab American strongholds likely tipped Michigan in Trump’s favor