Society & Culture Archives - News Center

Diversity of scientists or researchers discussing their research result data in a laboratory and wearing typical white lab coat.

Society & Culture

When people see themselves in science, they trust it more

December 11, 2025

A new study finds that the demographics of scientists influence public trust and the fate of science-based public policy.

Close-up of a family at a dinner table featuring Hanukkah foods, including latkes and other signature fried cuisine.

Society & Culture

The stories behind Hanukkah’s signature fried foods

December 11, 2025

Hanukkah foods include latkes and fried jelly donuts. Professor Nora Rubel explains how such dishes carry meaning beyond the kitchen.

Illustration of a Human head covered by smoke from factory chimneys to illustrate how socially responsible investors may do more harm than good.

Society & Culture

When socially responsible investing backfires

December 10, 2025

A new study finds that investors may unintentionally give polluting companies a reason to delay going green.

Overhead view of young business professionals tightly grouped and staring ahead, except for one man looking up in dismay to illustrate employee turnover at top firms.

Society & Culture

Why top firms paradoxically fire good workers

November 18, 2025

Elite firms’ notorious ‘revolving door’ culture isn’t arbitrary but rather a way to signal talent and boost profits, a new study finds.

Low angle view of a young group of people in a circle holding cellphones to illustrate crowdsourced fact-checking on social media, including Community Notes on X.

Society & Culture

The most effective online fact-checkers? Your peers

November 17, 2025

Research shows being called out by peers, not algorithms or experts, makes online authors think twice about spreading misinformation.

Archival photo of two water fountains next to each other. The larger one has a plaque above it reading "white" and the smaller fountain has a sign that reads "colored," illustrating American illiberalism.

Society & Culture

Steven Hahn ’73 on America’s illiberal past and present

October 31, 2025

From eugenics to segregation, the Pulitzer Prize winner says America’s ‘darker impulses’ run deep.

Emblem of United Nations with UN member country flags and Secretariat Building in the background.

Society & Culture

After 80 years, is the United Nations past its prime?

October 20, 2025

Randall Stone, an expert on international institutions, explains the UN’s enduring influence—and its limits.

Black graduation cap on top of an American flag.

Society & Culture

Survey: Americans back higher ed—but worry about campus culture

October 15, 2025

University of Rochester’s James Druckman helps lead sweeping 50-state study on public attitudes toward universities.

Outer facade of the Mt. Hope Family Center building with fall foliate in the foreground.

Health & Medicine

8 things to know about the University of Rochester’s Mt. Hope Family Center

October 6, 2025

For 45 years, this national resource has pioneered cutting-edge psychology research while providing support for thousands of vulnerable families annually.

A dandelion grows through the cracks in concrete to symbolize resilience in the face of stress.

Health & Medicine

Understanding stress and resilience from the inside out

September 29, 2025

By studying the effects of persistent stress, URochester researchers are shedding light on how to be more resilient.

A vise tool holding a coin that says United States of America one dollar.

Society & Culture

When Washington tried to starve industries of loans—and failed

September 26, 2025

Federal regulators pressured banks to withdraw from controversial industries. A new study finds companies simply borrowed elsewhere.

Close-up of a newspaper section titled "perspective" to illustrate opinion journalism.

Society & Culture

Opinion journalism in a polarized age: vital or vitriol?

September 9, 2025

Rochester philosopher Zeynep Soysal says opinion journalism helps the public navigate uncertainty—if its role is properly framed.