Highlights from The Conversation
Faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences are breaking barriers in academia by sharing their expertise with millions through The Conversation, a nonprofit news platform. In 2025 alone, 30 articles authored by members of the college reached global audiences, with translations into multiple languages and republications across hundreds of outlets.
These thought-provoking pieces make complex topics approachable while showcasing our world-class scholarship.
A Variety of Expertise
CAS scholars share their latest research, provide insight into trending topics, and even answer children’s questions.
Dawn Szymanski | Professor of Psychology
With Hooters on the verge of bankruptcy, a psychologist reflects on her time spent studying the servers who work there
Claire Hemingway | Assistant Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Cultivating for color: The hidden trade-offs between garden aesthetics and pollinator preferences
Brandon Prins | Professor of History
Who was the first pirate?
Expanding Global Reach
Several articles achieved international attention through translation:
Associate Professor of English Mary Dzon’s exploration of Jesus’s childhood tales captivated readers worldwide with versions in French and Indonesian.
Chancellor’s Professor Derek Alderman and Assistant Professor Jack Swab, both from the Department of Geography and Sustainability, explained how world maps get Africa’s size wrong and why it’s important to fix that, which resonated globally after being translated into French.
An analysis of Palestinian cinema, written by Associate Professor Drew Paul in the Department of World Languages and Cultures, reached Portuguese-speaking audiences.
These translations underscore the college’s commitment to making scholarship accessible across cultures and languages.
Unique Approaches to Scholarship
Teaching Assistant Professor Molly Granatino in the English department delved into gothic classics like Frankenstein, reminding us why stories of mortality endure.
Associate Teaching Professor Michael Naparstek described how he uses video games to teach students about religion’s role in modern life.
Assistant Professor Steven Lautzenheiser used his knowledge of biological anthropology to answer a child’s question: Why can’t I wiggle my toes one at a time?
