Society & Culture Archives - Page 3 of 44 - News Center

Illustration showing two cargo boats moving in opposite directions against a background that is half white stars against a blue background and half yellow stars against a red background to illustrate the US-China trade war.

Society & Culture

Why the US-China trade war could last another five years

A Rochester economist applies lessons from the 1980s to explain the United States’ current trade war with the potential superpower.

Vector illustration of Lady Liberty with a thermometer in her mouth to show taking the temperature on American democracy.

Society & Culture

Taking the temperature of American democracy

An interview with political scientist James Druckman, an expert on American democracy and polarization.

Society & Culture

Does it matter how much Democrats and Republicans hate each other? Yes, it does.

New research suggests partisan hostility can erode democratic institutions and functioning.

Aerial view of an aircraft carrier at sea with sailors spelling out the words NATO and OTAN.

Society & Culture

NATO at 75—powerful and necessary, or costly and obsolete?

Created as a counterweight to the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc, the military alliance may be more important now than ever. Political scientist Randall Stones explains why.

Close-up of a Native American art replica Mimbres bowl featuring a geometric figure holding a fish aloft.

Society & Culture

That’s not Native American art. Or is it?

A Rochester art historian on the proliferation of indigenous fakes and replicas—and the blurry line between appropriation and admiration.

Black-and-white close up of Michael Jensen in a suit looking at the camera and smiling.

Society & Culture

Michael Jensen ‘transformed the way we perceive and practice economics’

His pioneering research on organizational theory, started at Rochester, has left an enduring mark on the academic and business worlds.

Medieval era-style illustration of two women during the Middle Ages looking at a solar eclipse while stars twinkle in the night sky.

Society & Culture

Surprising facts and beliefs about eclipses during medieval and Renaissance times

Rochester experts offer historical insights into medieval society’s fascination with astronomical and astrological phenomena.

A facsimile of “Astronomicum Caesaream” by Petrus Apianus opened to a spread that shows lots of text on the left page and a colorful compass-like illustration on the right.

Society & Culture

7 rare books to celebrate the solar eclipse

Although you can’t technically check out these volumes—ranging from a medieval anthology to a mid-20th century how-to guide—they’re still worth ‘checking out.’

Alexei Navalny staring ahead with a crowd of people behind him holding Russian flags.

Society & Culture

Scholar in Exile on Alexei Navalny: ‘One day I’ll walk along a street in Moscow named after him’

February 21, 2024

Dmitry Bykov discusses the late Russian opposition leader’s legacy, his own poisoning, and why Navalny posed a threat to the Russian president.

Close up of a framed photo of Alexei Navalny, who led one of the recent opposition movements against Vladimir Putin, surrounded by flowers during a nighttime vigil after reports of his death.

Society & Culture

Why did Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny have to die?

February 19, 2024

Rochester experts discuss Putin’s intense fear of critics, the history of Russian and Soviet opposition movements, and what’s next for Russia’s dissidents.

Society & Culture

University of Rochester receives Mellon Foundation grant to hire Black studies faculty

December 19, 2023

The $3M in funding will help advance innovative and strategic faculty hiring in the Department of Black Studies.

Animated gift showing two wifi signals converging into a heart to illustrate the concept of a relationship app called Agape.

Society & Culture

Can an app improve your romantic relationship?

December 14, 2023

Couples report healthier, stronger relationships after one month of using a relationship app codeveloped by a Rochester psychologist.