UW News
Opinion and analysis
Recent opinion and analysis pieces written by UW-affiliated experts. See The Conversation for only the analysis pieces.
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- Analysis: Zoom work relationships are a lot harder to build — unless you can pick up on colleagues' nonverbal cues | The Conversation5 days ago
"Workers who communicate with their colleagues mainly through videoconferencing are far less effective at building relationships than when the communication is done face to face, according to a study we recently completed and just submitted for peer review. We also found two important ways employees can overcome the downside of video meetings," write Nancy Buchen of the University of South Carolina, Wendi Adair of the University of Waterloo and Xiao-Ping Chen, professor of management at the UW. - Opinion: Vision to expand medical education advances in Spokane, with new building underway | The Spokesman-Review5 days ago
"As you are likely aware, the current strain on rural health care is exacerbated by a long-term shortage of providers for these areas. Across Eastern Washington, there has never been a greater need for more doctors, nurses, physician assistants and other health care professionals to provide care to these communities. Against this sobering truth, the recent groundbreaking for a new hub for medical and health education for the University of Washington – Gonzaga University Health Partnership takes on new significance," write UW President Ana Mari Cauce and Gonzaga University President Thayne McCulloh. - Analysis: A white supremacist coup succeeded in 1898 North Carolina, led by lying politicians and racist newspapers that amplified their lies | The Conversation1 week ago
Kristine Gustafson, associate teaching professor of interdisciplinary arts and sciences at UW Bothell, and Kathy Roberts Forde, of University of Massachusetts Amherst, write of the U.S. Capitol siege and a coup in North Carolina in 1898, "These two events, separated by 122 years, share critical features. Each was organized and planned. Each was an effort to steal an election and disfranchise voters. Each was animated by white racist fears. And each required the help of the media to be successful." - Opinion: Use gun laws to protect our communities from violence | The Seattle Times1 week ago
"There is something we can do to prevent escalating violence while at the same time protecting individual rights, including Second Amendment rights, and that is to use existing laws to lessen the risk of the potential firearm-related injury and harm caused by insurrectionists," write The UW's Dr. Fred Rivara, professor of pediatrics; Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, associate professor of epidemiology; and Dr. Monica Vavilala, professor of pediatrics and of anesthesiology and pain medicine. - Opinion: Banning Trump from Twitter and Facebook isn't nearly enough | Los Angeles Times1 week ago
"Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and every other social media company have known for over a decade that their tools would be used in ways that lead to violence — they’ve seen it happen. And they did too little, for too long," write Ryan Calo, professor of law at the UW, and Woodrow Hartzog of Northeastern University. - Opinion: Anti-aging effects of protein restriction unpacked | Nature1 week ago
"The idea that dietary restriction can be used as a tool to increase lifespan has been a centerpiece of aging research for decades. But the mechanisms by which dietary restriction might act, and the specific nutritional components involved, remain unclear ... [Two studies add] to our understanding of the effects of specific dietary components on ageing and connects previous observations into a coherent model," write Matt Kaeberlein, professor of pathology in the UW School of Medicine, and Louisiana State University's Cristal Hill. - Opinion: U-Turn — Survey of 477 districts shows surge in COVID-19 cases is reversing reopening progress in America's schools | Patch1 week ago
"The incoming Biden-Harris administration laid out the goal of reopening most schools within the first 100 days of their term. Unfortunately, as of last month, the nation's school districts are moving in the opposite direction," write Betheny Gross, associate director of the Center on Reinventing Public Education at UW Bothell;. Alice Opalka, a research analyst at the center; and Padma Gundapaneni, a junior research analyst at the center. - Analysis: Is impeaching President Trump 'pointless revenge'? Not if it sends a message to future presidents | The Conversation2 weeks ago
"As a scholar who writes about the moral justifications of social and legal institutions, I argue that there may be good moral reason for this impeachment – even if it cannot be completed before Trump leaves office," writes Michael Blake, professor of philosophy and of public policy and governance at the UW, of the question of whether to impeach President Trump. - Opinion: Our state constitution’s surprising right-to-bear-arms language | The Seattle Times2 weeks ago
"Washington’s 1889 Constitution includes very special language that establishes a strong right to bear arms coupled with strong language reinforcing the Legislature’s power to control or even ban private militia groups," writes Hugh Spitzer, professor of law at the UW. - Analysis: Executions don't deter murder, despite the Trump administration's push | The Conversation2 weeks ago
"Death penalty advocates most frequently focus on deterrence [as a justification for the death penalty]– but as research including my own work shows, it has not been shown to be effective," writes David Barash, professor emeritus of psychology at the UW. - Opinion: Study accurately cites Growler noise | Kitsap Sun2 weeks ago
"We understand that the Navy might be concerned with the implications of these data, but we object to the apparent attempts in the Op-Ed to avoid the simple factual conclusions of the research and discredit the science," write the UW's Lauren Kuehne, a research scientist in aquatic and fishery sciences, and Julian Olden, professor of aquatic and fishery sciences, in response to an Op-Ed by Matt Arny, commanding officer of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. [A similar piece ran in The Seattle Times on Jan. 8.] - Letter: Seattle Children’s — anti-racism starts at top | The Seattle Times2 weeks ago
"Dr. Ben Danielson symbolizes the Black experience of retaliation for resisting the status quo. He has sounded the alarm on a culture of racism that Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), particularly Black people, have reported for decades at Seattle Children’s hospital. Similar issues exist at University of Washington Medicine," writes L'Oreal Kennedy, a student in the UW School of Medicine. - Analysis: Why Trump's challenges to democracy will be a big problem for Biden | The Conversation2 weeks ago
As scholars who study democracy historically and comparatively, we predict that the biggest threats to democracy Trump poses won’t emerge until after he exits the White House – when Biden will have to face the Trump presidency’s most serious challenges," write the UW's James Long, associate professor of political science, and Victor Menaldo, professor of political science. - Opinion: Navy should use our data on Growler noise, not dismiss it | The Seattle Times2 weeks ago
"We understand that the Navy might be concerned with the implications of these data, but we object to the apparent attempts in the Op-Ed to avoid the simple factual conclusions of the research and discredit the science," write the UW's Lauren Kuehne, a research scientist in aquatic and fishery sciences, and Julian Olden, professor of aquatic and fishery sciences, in response to an Op-Ed by Matt Arny, commanding officer of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. [A similar piece ran in The Kitsap Sun on Jan. 10.] - Opinion: Biden making Merrick Garland attorney general isn't the best idea — it also isn't the worst one | NBC News2 weeks ago
"The choice of Garland is a good indication — both for better and for worse — of what can be expected of a Biden administration: competent governance that is more moderate than the progressive wing of the Democratic Party would prefer," writes Scott Lemieux, assistant teaching professor of political science at the UW. - Analysis: Gaming has benefits and perils – parents can help kids by playing with them | The Conversation2 weeks ago
"As the pandemic forced many Americans to hunker down at home, the video game industry saw record spending and profits in 2020. Interacting with other people through gaming became, for some players, essential for social connection," writes Katie Headrick Taylor, associate professor of education at the UW. - Opinion: Blind spots in climate policy — EV supply chain and climate adaptation | Forbes3 weeks ago
"Might a singular focus on zero emissions lead to the neglect of climate adaptation policies that have less media appeal? As we enter the third decade of the 21st century, climate policy should pay attention to two important but neglected issues: how the electric car industry will source inputs such as copper, cobalt, nickel and lithium; and, because climate change is already underway, how prepared countries and cities are to adapt to different dimensions of climate change," write Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs at the UW, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW. - Ed Taylor and Phil Ballinger: What should count in college admissions: the quality of future leaders we most need | The Spokesman-Review3 weeks ago
"Even though colleges value higher education as a primary means of improving the common good, many teens and parents perceive that our institutions value only the highest levels of academic and other personal achievements in a competitive environment... What if colleges selected academically prepared students not primarily because of metrics reflecting their individualized, competitive achievements, but rather because of their lived commitments to the welfare of others and their communities?" write Ed Taylor, vice provost and dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs and Phil Ballinger, retired vice president for enrollment management at the UW. - Attacks on public-health workers are attacks on the health of the public | The Seattle Times3 weeks ago
"In recent weeks and months, we have heard stories about local public health leaders (and even their families) who have been undermined, threatened and fired, leaving health departments and staff reeling, and impairing their ability to effectively do their jobs. The current attacks on these professionals should not go unanswered by any of us," write the UW's Betty Bekemeier, professor of nursing; Hilary Godwin, dean of the UW School of Public Health; and Dr. Jeffrey Harris, professor of health services. - Opinion: Milton Friedman versus Jeff Bezos on climate leadership | The Regulatory Review4 weeks ago
"For [Milton] Friedman, managers are agents who work on behalf of owners: their principals. Because all shareholders want to maximize their return on investments, the Friedman logic goes that managers have a duty to focus solely on profit maximization. Should, then, managers support climate actions in response to stakeholders’ pressure?" write Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs at the UW; Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW; and Jennifer Griffin of Loyola University Chicago. - Opinion: Silicon Valley isn't over just because tech companies are moving away | The New York Times4 weeks ago
"Silicon Valley’s obituary has been written prematurely before; boom-and-bust cycles have defined the region’s economy for decades," writes Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW. - Opinion: Statewide standardized testing during a pandemic is unwise | The Seattle Times4 weeks ago
"As Gov. Jay Inslee and state officials look ahead to reopen schools, the Washington Office of Superintendent for Public Instruction has yet to make a determination about how statewide testing will take place this academic year or how results will be used. In this time of uncertainty and unprecedented pressure on educators and students, the state should remove any stakes associated with these standardized tests and consider canceling the test administration all together," write the University of Texas at Austin's David DeMatthews and David Knight, assistant professor of education at the UW. - Opinion: Let’s work together during the holidays to combat coronavirus | The Spokesman-Review1 month ago
"At my rural Idaho hospital, we are seeing a 28% positivity rate and fear this will only increase after the holidays... So please consider the risks when thinking about how you’ll spend time with friends and family. We recommend keeping in-person celebrations to only those in your household and celebrating virtually or over the phone with others," writes Dr. Haley Minnehan, a clinical assistant professor of family medicine at the UW. - Opinion: Over time, Buddhism and science agree | Nautilus1 month ago
"All things, especially living ones, are marinating in the river of time. We see and understand that our bodies will wear out and we will die... But there’s another perspective, surprisingly in harmony with science, that helps us revisit that huge and ancient terror — fear of time itself — in a new and perhaps even reassuring way. And that is the perspective offered by Buddhism," writes David Barash, professor emeritus of psychology at the UW. - Opinion: Ending a lost year | Real Change1 month ago
"There is no yearend retrospective that will give this year its proper send-off. To be honest, I am eagerly anticipating a new year that offers fewer 'lifetime' events that have been shoehorned into a very traumatic 12 months," writes Oscar Rosales Castaneda, a UW graduate student in social work. - Opinion: The green revolution is in trouble — Here’s why Indian farmers are protesting | Forbes1 month ago
"India has enacted new laws that lift restrictions on where and to whom farmers can sell their crops. Why are then Indian farmers protesting instead of celebrating their new economic freedom?" write Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs at the UW, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW. - Opinion: Tacoma police budget should be cut more | Tacoma News Tribune1 month ago
Ken Cruz, assistant professor of social work and criminal justice at UW Tacoma, writes of the Tacoma City Council's cuts to the police department budget, "At best, the 1% cut was a token gesture. This action by the City Council won’t disrupt future police violence and won’t provide the alternative services that Tacomans have asked for, repeatedly." - Opinion: Different styles of philanthropy: MacKenzie Scott and Jeff Bezos | Forbes1 month ago
"[MacKenzie] Scott and [Jeff] Bezos are not impulsive philanthropists. Their advisors have pored over lots of data to identify the beneficiaries. Yet, they fund different causes and organizations. Why so and what does this reveal about their priorities?" write Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs at the UW, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW. - Opinion: Are net-zero emission pledges credible? | The Regulatory Review1 month ago
"President-Elect Biden’s July 2020 climate plan outlined a zero emission pledge. States, such as California and Washington, and companies, such as Microsoft and Google, have also announced net-zero emission pledges. But there is a catch," write the UW's Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs; Aseem Prakash, professor of political science; and Inhwan Ko, a doctoral student in political science. - Opinion: Let doctors and patients choose the right HIV treatment | The Seattle Times1 month ago
"Here in Washington state, bureaucrats and even physicians have imposed draconian rules and restrictions that limit access by patients on state Medicaid to the newest treatments and therapies for HIV ... If the [Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee and Drug Utilization Review] board is serious about ending the HIV epidemic in Washington state — and has any thought for patients — it must stop the continued implementation of these restrictions," writes Dr. Peter Shalit, clinical professor of medicine in the UW School of Medicine.
