Gabriel Lockett, University of Florida; Jules Sostre, University of Florida, and Roberto L. Abreu, University of Florida Throughout history, transgender people of color have had a place of honor in many indigenous cultures around the world. This changed in many places, however, as European colonizers began forcing indigenous people to follow white social norms. TheseContinue reading “Transgender people of color face unique challenges as gender discrimination and racism intersect”
Monthly Archives: March 2022
The Losing Mongolian Language
Author: Guan Zhihan Having a population of 5.8 million, Mongols in China are the ninth largest ethnic minority groups, who are mainly distributed across Inner Mongolia. Though Mongolian Chinese were incorporated into China for centuries, they still feature a distinct and long-standing nomadic culture. However, these days, after a long period of living with HanContinue reading “The Losing Mongolian Language”
Even after lockdowns eased, pandemic depression persisted across social classes – new study
Catherine Ettman, Boston University and Sandro Galea, Boston University The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work. The big idea One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, we found that more than 1 in 5 U.S. adults reported probable depression in both spring 2020 and spring 2021. We also found that financial assetsContinue reading “Even after lockdowns eased, pandemic depression persisted across social classes – new study”
Red gold: the rise and fall of West Africa’s palm oil empire
For thousands of years, the oil palm – indigenous to West Africa – has had an intimate relationship with people. An explosive expansion of oil palm groves throughout western and central Africa in the wake of a dry period around 2,500 years ago enabled human migration and agricultural development; in turn, humans facilitated oil palm propagation through seed dispersal and slash-and-burn agriculture.
Many Ukrainians face a future of lasting psychological wounds from the Russian invasion
Arash Javanbakht, Wayne State University “Polina came to our bedroom awakened by the sound of explosions. I didn’t know and still don’t know what to tell her. Her eyes today are full of fear and terror; eyes of all of us.” Alina, a family friend who is a marketer and mother of two children fromContinue reading “Many Ukrainians face a future of lasting psychological wounds from the Russian invasion”
Colleges routinely fail to ask about new hires’ history of sexual harassment
Susan Fortney, Texas A&M University and Theresa Morris, Texas A&M University When three graduate students sued Harvard University in early 2022 for sexual harassment by a tenured professor, they claimed the school hired the professor despite knowing that he allegedly harassed students at the last school where he worked. The students also claim Harvard ignoredContinue reading “Colleges routinely fail to ask about new hires’ history of sexual harassment”
Four Black women who have advanced human rights
Around the world, the activism of Black women has been instrumental in shaping social justice agendas and promoting human rights. Their work has improved the health and welfare of women and girls, protected the environment and elevated the voices of the oppressed, both in their communities and further afield.
Discovering the forest wonders of Africa – and the threats they face
Africa’s forests are some of the natural wonders of the world. As someone who has spent decades studying the ecology and management of tropical forests, I’m constantly amazed by the unique forest ecosystems on the continent.
Clearing alien trees can help reduce climate change impact on Cape Town’s water supply
Droughts in water scarce regions are being aggravated by human-driven climate change. While rainfall reduction is the main driver, increased temperature and evaporation can also play a role.
Yemen war now ‘chronic emergency’ as millions face hunger
After more than seven years of war, Yemen is living in a chronic state of emergency, marked by hunger, disease and other miseries that are rising faster than aid agencies can reverse, UN relief chief Martin Griffiths told the Security Council on Tuesday, as the Special Envoy for the country called for joint efforts by Yemenis and the international community to break the entrenched cycle of violence.