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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- Opinion: The climate leadership race — Microsoft’s climate moonshot and Amazon’s climate pledge | Forbes3 days ago
"The competition among the two Seattle-based tech giants seems to be headed in an unexpected direction: climate leadership. On September 19, 2019, Amazon announced its Climate Pledge. Today, Microsoft outlined its climate initiative," write Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW. - Analysis: Identifying aquatic plants with drones could be the key to reducing a parasitic infection in people | The Conversation3 days ago
"Since the 1980s, efforts to eliminate schistosomiasis have primarily focused on distributing drugs to infected people. But recently, the World Health Organization formally recognized that this strategy isn’t working in many places, because the treatment provides no protection against future infections," writes Chelsea Wood, assistant professor of aquatic and fishery sciences at the UW. - Why generations of children love 'The Snowy Day' | The Atlantic4 days ago
"Kids and families love Ezra Jack Keats’s The Snowy Day so much that they’ve checked it out of the New York Public Library system more than any other book in the NYPL’s 125 years of existence—485,583 times since it was published in 1962," writes Michelle Martin, professor in the UW's Information School. "What makes this quiet picture book so well loved?" - Opinion: Threats of nuclear conflict — a global review | Global Policy Journal5 days ago
"Overall, decay of the post-WWII global order, and with it the weakening of liberal democratic mores and institutions, are making for a more conflict-oriented world at present," write U.S. Ambassador Thomas Graham, Jr. and Scott Montgomery, a lecturer of international studies at the UW. - Analysis: Meet the narwhal, 'unicorn of the sea' | The Conversation5 days ago
"Narwhals are often called the unicorns of the sea. The long tusk of the male narwhal sets these whales apart, but it’s not the only thing that makes Monodon monoceros among the most intriguing and mysterious marine mammals," writes Kristin Laidre, associate professor of aquatic and fishery sciences at the UW. - Analysis: Why the US-Iran conflict isn’t driving oil prices higher — and why it probably should | The Conversation6 days ago
"Assassinations, militaries on high alert, geopolitical tensions at the boil. Any one of these in Persian Gulf countries would have roiled oil prices a few years ago. Today, even in combination, they hardly register," writes Scott Montgomery, lecturer of international studies at the UW. - Opinion: How a volunteer gig as a ‘barback’ changed my perspective in grad school | Science1 week ago
"I don’t think I’ll ever be a professional barback. But I’ll never forget the lessons I learned that night. Graduate school takes a lot of work and skill, but it doesn’t exercise all the muscles of your brain, body, or spirit. Sometimes it’s OK — even necessary — to find other, decidedly unscientific, ways to fill your cup," writes Lila Westreich, a doctoral student in environmental and forest sciences at the UW. - Analysis: Asians are good at math? Why dressing up racism as a compliment just doesn't add up | The Conversation2 weeks ago
"On the surface, the “Asians are good at math” narrative sounds like a compliment. After all, what’s wrong with saying that someone is good at something? But as I explain in a recent article, there are two problems. First, the narrative is false. And second, it is racist," writes Niral Shah, assistant professor of education at the UW. - Opinion: 2020 New Year’s resolution: Fly less | Forbes3 weeks ago
"Greetings for the holiday season. Here is our pitch for the 2020 New Year’s resolution: let’s fly less, even though airlines account for only 2.5% of global carbon emissions," write Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW. - Letter: Flight shame uses flawed logic | The Seattle Times3 weeks ago
"As a former federal Air Pollution Control program official, I know that airplane pollution contributes to global warming. However, if an individual foregoes flying, the plane will fly anyway. The only carbon saved is the tiny increment due to the weight of one passenger and luggage," writes Philip Bereano, professor emeritus of technology and public policy at the University of Washington, in a letter to the editor. - Opinion: No place to flee | Eos1 month ago
"The Syrian refugee crisis has had far-reaching consequences for geologic risk in neighboring Lebanon, providing insights into the interplay between forced displacement and natural disasters," write the UW's Joseph Wartman, professor of civil and environmental engineering, and William Pollock, a graduate student in civil and environmental engineering. - Analysis: Where does beach sand come from? | The Conversation1 month ago
"There’s more to beach sand than meets the eye. It has stories to tell about the land, and an epic journey to the sea. That’s because mountains end their lives as sand on beaches," writes David Montgomery, professor of Earth and space sciences at the UW. - Democratic presidential hopefuls are promising to ramp up funding for public schools | The Conversation1 month ago
"As a scholar of school finance, I study the role of resources in schools. The research is clear that spending more on students over the long haul would bring about long-term benefits," writes David Knight, assistant professor of education at the UW. - Opinion: Senate confirms FDA head Stephen Hahn despite his silence on the vaping crisis | NBC News1 month ago
"In what amounts to a profound disregard for the literal health of our nation, senators from both parties confirmed Dr. Stephen M. Hahn as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday despite his steadfast refusal to answer even basic questions on the vaping crisis that has struck nearly 2,300 Americans and caused almost 50 deaths," writes Dr. Vin Gupta, assistant professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine at the UW School of Medicine. - Analysis: Even in sporty Seattle, most kids aren't getting enough exercise | The Conversation1 month ago
Federal guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention call for all kids between 6 and 18 years old to be physically active for at least an hour every day," writes Julie McCleery, research associate and lecturer in the UW Center for Leadership in Athletics. "Despite this, we found that only about a fifth of (King County's) youth get enough physical activity." - Opinion: How to maximize purpose-driven leaders at your company | Fast Company1 month ago
"At some point in their careers, your employees will reach a breaking point: Are they happy with their jobs and careers, or is it time to move on, to try something new? Too often, companies are letting excellent employees leave, rather than enabling them to reach their full potential," writes Mark Horoszowski, CEO of MovingWorlds.org and adjunct faculty at UW Tacoma's Center for Social Responsibility and Leadership. - Analysis: 5 new ways for schools to work with families | The Conversation1 month ago
"As scholars and parents, my colleagues and I research the intersection of families, schools and racial inequities. We have learned new ways for schools and families to work together to help realize children’s potential. And the answer isn’t fundraising, checking the latest school app or listening to robo-calls," writes Ann Ishimaru, associate professor of education at the UW. - Analysis: What happens when black Americans leave their segregated hometowns | The Conversation1 month ago
"Where someone grows up is profoundly important for their life chances. It influences things like the schools they attend, the jobs, parks and community resources they have access to and the peers they interact with," writes Christine Leibbrand, acting assistant professor of sociology at the UW. - Opinion: The Central District has lost over a dozen of its Black churches — the rest may still be saved | Crosscut1 month ago
"There’s little doubt that The Nehemiah Initiative faces an immense challenge combating the displacement of African Americans from central Seattle. When you drive through the Central District today, you see gentrification in its stark reality," writes Donald King, a UW affiliate professor of architecture. Work by UW graduate students in the College of Built Environments is referenced. - Opinion: Turn holiday shopping green by gifting tree certificates instead of more ‘stuff’ | Forbes2 months ago
"Humans are social animals. Rituals are an important part of our social persona. Across cultures, rituals often involve exchanging gifts. We give gifts to celebrate accomplishments, birthdays, marriages, and religious and secular occasions. How might we leverage this quintessential human activity to support the culture of climate protection?" write Nives Dolšak, professor of marine and environmental affairs, and Aseem Prakash, professor of political science at the UW. - Opinion: Don’t blame tech bros for the housing crisis | The New York Times2 months ago
"Rising housing costs predate the tech bubble. And it will take more than Apple and Facebook’s billions to fix it," writes Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the UW. - Opinion: Deaths from antibiotic drug resistance are at historic highs, aided by Trump's policies | NBC News2 months ago
"This decade is ending with a dubious distinction: Deaths from antibiotic drug resistance have now reached an all-time high, with 35,000 people dying in the U.S. each year alone, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," writes Dr. Vin Gupta, assistant professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine at the UW School of Medicine. - Opinion: Opioid treatment in King County jails can reduce crime and suffering | The Seattle Times2 months ago
"No city in America is immune to the anguish caused by addiction. But, for Seattle and King County, the street-level and public safety impacts are worse than in much of America," writes Dorothy Bullitt, lecturer of public policy and governance at the UW. - Opinion: We must rethink what a ‘student athlete’ is and teach entrepreneurial skills | The Seattle Times2 months ago
"In September, California lawmakers passed a bill that would permit college athletes to get paid for their name, image and likeness, while many other states, including Washington, have passed or are weighing legislation," writes Jennifer Hoffman, associate professor of education at the UW. - Make lifesaving cancer-risk genetic testing accessible to all Americans | The Seattle Times2 months ago
"In the United States, clinical tests for hereditary cancer risk have been available for more than 25 years. Even so, patients typically undergo this family-risk screening after they receive a cancer diagnosis, rather than before," write the UW's Dr. Elizabeth Swisher, professor of obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Barbara Norquist, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and Deborah Bowen, professor of bioethics and humanities. - Opinion: How to stop the brain drain of artificial intelligence experts out of academia | Inside Higher Ed2 months ago
"Universities have long been a source of talented leaders for industry, but an accelerating exodus of professors with expertise in artificial intelligence has caused concerns," writes Oren Etzioni, CEO of the Allen Institute for AI and a professor of computer science and engineering at the UW. - Opinion: The cowardice behind Trump’s vaping-ban retreat | The New York Times2 months ago
"Vaping devices have been on the market since the late 2000s, and yet the Food and Drug Administration has not examined a large majority of these products for their health or safety impact on humans. This is a failure of leadership on both sides of the political aisle," writes Dr. Vin Gupta, assistant professor of health metrics sciences at the UW. - Opinion: The college-or-bust message leaves a majority of our students behind | The Seattle Times2 months ago
"Our best estimate is that only 40% of Washington high school freshmen will go on to get any sort of postsecondary degree," writes Tom Halverson, principal lecturer of education at the UW. - Opinion: The EPA and a threat to clean air and water | The New York Times2 months ago
"Setting aside for a moment that the proposed Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science rule is clearly a threat to evidence-based decision making, I find the idea of spending valuable time and resources on justifying efforts to weaken our nation’s environmental protections to be foolish at best," writes Olivia Sanderfoot, a research fellow in environmental and forest sciences at the UW. - Opinion: Seattle’s advanced learning program saved me — fix it, don’t nix it | The Seattle Times2 months ago
"I acknowledge the many problems with the district’s current model of advanced learning. But dismantling the Highly Capable Cohort program is not the solution," writes Zoë Mertz, an English major at the UW.
