Faculty in the News
Fall 2026
Wanting to go out on a high note, some people are dead serious about their funeral playlist
The Boston Globe
11/09/2026
Associate Professor of Music Frank Lehman explains the “dark appeal” of planning one’s funeral music noting, “It’s a way to really share what you are all about with a captive audience.”
Finding Our Way – Hayyei Sarah 5787
The Times of Israel
11/09/2026
This blog post features a story from Professor of Political Science Eitan Hersh’s book Politics Is for Power.
‘Food is community': How immigrants in Massachusetts find comfort in familiar dishes far from home
The Boston Globe
11/08/2026
Professor of Urban & Environmental Policy Julian Agyeman is quoted about the important role food plays in helping immigrants stay connected to their culture and identity. Agyeman is co-editor of the book “The Immigrant-Food Nexus: Borders, Labor, and Identity in North America.”
‘I heard a barnacle' – how paying attention to nature's background noise can reveal animal secrets
The Conversation
11/06/2026
Associate Professor of Biology Phil Starks reflects on some of his experiences observing nature and animal behavior and offers advice for becoming a better naturalist.
Q&A with political scientist Jeff Berry: ‘The scope of it was shocking'
WBUR Boston 90.9 FM
11/06/2026
Professor Emeritus of Political Science Jeffrey Berry discusses the election outcomes and implications in this issue of the Cognoscenti newsletter. Berry is co-author of the 2025 book Everyday Democracy, along with A&S Dean Emeritus James M. Glaser and Professor of Political Science Deborah Schildkraut.
A mysterious toxic fungus is plaguing the Massachusetts cheese caves. The cheese doctors are on the case.
Boston.com
11/06/2026
Associate Professor of Biology Benjamin Wolfe discusses his collaborative research to determine that the toxin-producing species of fungus Aspergillus westerdijkiae is behind the mysterious mold problems for cheesemakers in the Northeast.
Michael Levin Blends Biology With Physics To Conquer Human Disease
Investor's Business Daily
11/05/2026
This article highlights Professor of Biology Michael Levin’s work on cancer and regeneration in the Levin Lab.
Decency, Diversity Over Dollars Win The Midterms
Forbes US
11/04/2026
This article cites 2006 research from late Psychology Department Chair and Professor Samuel Sommers that explored the role of racial diversity in the jury decision-making process.
It’s finally Election Day — and prediction markets may show ‘too much confidence in a good night for Democrats’
Marketwatch
11/03/2026
Professor of Political Science Brian Schaffner comments on prediction market indicators ahead of the midterm elections, noting that “predictions seem a bit more bullish on Democrats than the prominent forecast models out there.”
Why Did Snakes Lose Their Legs? And 9 More Animal Mysteries
The New York Times
11/02/2026
Professor of Biology Michael Levin comments on deer regrowing their antlers each year, noting the potential for humans as scientists learn more about regeneration in animals.
A toxin-producing mold is rotting artisan cheese in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont
The Cool Down
11/01/2026
Associate Professor of Biology Benjamin Wolfe is quoted from a Popular Mechanics article on his collaborative research to determine that the toxin-producing species of fungus Aspergillus westerdijkiae is behind the mysterious mold problems for cheesemakers in the Northeast.
30 Issues in 30 Days: "Diversity" in American Colleges
WNYC
10/30/2026
Lenore Stern Professor in the Humanities and Social Sciences Natasha Warikoo joins this episode of The Brian Lehrer Show to discuss the two distinct groups that are fighting for diversity and how candidates are talking about the concept of diversity in the run-up to election day.
New restrictions on purchases with SNAP benefits in some states mean fewer convenience stores are accepting them
The Conversation
10/28/2026
Community Health Assistant Professor Benjamin Chrisinger co-authors this piece on his new collaborative research that found the number of convenience stores authorized to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits was 1.4% lower than would be expected after 10 states began to add new restrictions to what people could buy with benefits in early 2026.
Climate comedian aims to break through eco-anxiety, start conversations
Maine Calling
10/28/2026
Professor of the Practice of English Emily Strasser comments on participating in "Sustainable Standup," a program for people with no comedy background and are working to communicate more effectively about the climate crisis.
The booming African city you’ve probably never heard of
The Irish Times
10/27/2026
A 2016 paper by Professor of Economics Douglas Gollin exploring the concept of Africa’s “consumption cities” is mentioned in this article.
The music industry is solving the wrong bottleneck
Music Business Worldwide
10/27/2026
Associate Professor of Anthropology Nick Seaver explains how different music algorithmic recommender systems operate and their role in the new artist discovery process.
A Toxic Invader Is Poisoning Our Cheese
Popular Mechanics
10/23/2026
Associate Professor of Biology Benjamin Wolfe discusses his collaborative research to determine that the toxin-producing species of fungus Aspergillus westerdijkiae is behind the mysterious mold problems for cheesemakers in the Northeast.
Setting the career compass for transgender and nonbinary scientists
Physics Today
10/19/2026
Professor of Physics and Astronomy Timothy Atherton is quoted about trans and nonbinary scientists in academia saying, “There’s very good reasons why you want to be inclusive of a wide variety of people in the scientific enterprise, because at the end of the day, all hands on deck makes for better science.”
Abortion Ban States Saw Homicides of Women Exceed Expected Levels After Dobbs, but the Analysis Cannot Show Cause
Medical Daily
10/19/2026
This article highlights new collaborative research from Community Health Assistant Professor Liana Woskie that found that homicides of women and girls ages 15 to 44 in states with near-total abortion bans rose above what researchers expected after the Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs decision.
October 16, 2026 - Week in Review: Kelly Clarkson's Brooklyn shop beef, Shane Gillis, and Winnie the Pooh's 100th
PBS GBH TV
10/17/2026
Professor of the Practice of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies and Director of Undergraduate Studies Maurice Parent joins this episode of the Culture Show podcast to discuss the week’s arts and culture headlines.
Fall River Symphony begins 102nd season this month
Fall River Herald News
10/17/2026
Music Lecturer Douglas McRay Daniels will be conducting the Fall River Symphony for its 102nd season.
UK, US varsity teachers demand Imaan, Hadi's release
Dawn
10/09/2026
Mary Richardson Professor of History Ayesha Jalal and Assistant Professor of Political Science Fahd Humayun are among the signatories of a statement calling for the immediate release and withdrawal of charges against human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha.
A Mysterious Fungus Threatens Cheese in the Northeast US
The Scientist
10/08/2026
Associate Professor of Biology Benjamin Wolfe discusses his collaborative research to determine that the toxin-producing species of fungus Aspergillus westerdijkiae is behind the mysterious mold problems for cheesemakers in the Northeast.
What happened when Boston students were bused to suburban schools?
Chalkbeat
10/06/2026
Associate Professor of Economics Elizabeth Setren discusses her latest study that demonstrates positive outcomes for students in Boston’s METCO program.
100 Unanswered Questions About Ourselves, Our World and Our Universe
The New York Times
10/05/2026
When asked by the New York Times Science Desk for a big unanswered question in his field, Professor of Biology Michael Levin responded, “How can we learn to recognize—and communicate with—unconventional intelligences in cells, tissues and other unfamiliar substrates?”
As Twin Cities suburbs grow more diverse, some old political patterns persist
The Minnesota Star Tribune
10/05/2026
Professor of Political Science Brian Schaffner is quoted at length about racial and socioeconomic disparities prevalent in many city council bodies across the U.S. His 2020 book, Hometown Inequality: Race, Class and Representation in American Local Politics, is referenced.
‘This is dangerous': slime moulds and the bitter debate over the nature of intelligence
AOL UK
10/05/2026
Professor of Biology Michael Levin is quoted throughout this in-depth exploration of the scientific debate regarding cognition and intelligence in nature--from slime molds and cells to plants and animals.
Scientists Found a “Third State” Of Being Between Life and Death
Yahoo! US
10/01/2026
This Gadget Review article examining research that shows post-mortem gene activity in cells can continue and reorganize after organismal death, leading to the discovery of a "third state" of cellular activity, highlights collaborative studies from Professor of Biology Michael Levin.
Why Xi Jinping's Spiraling Economy Signals Trouble Ahead
The Daily Wire
10/01/2026
This article cites Associate Professor of Political Science Michael Beckley’s term “peak China” to refer to China’s waning economic power.
Opinion: Stop blaming rogue bots. Hold their human developers accountable.
The Mercury News
09/29/2026
Professor of Urban & Environmental Policy & Planning Justin Hollander co-authors this opinion piece calling for governments to regulate and hold accountable human developers when artificial intelligence bots go rogue.
1 in 8 Cancer Cases Worldwide Linked to Infections, Study Finds
Newsweek International
09/28/2026
Professor and Chair of Developmental, Molecular & Chemical Biology Karl Munger calls a new study finding that one in eight cancers globally in 2024 was caused by infection "significant,” highlighting that “many infection-associated cancers are preventable."
Susan Collins's Maine Money Machine
The New Yorker
09/25/2026
Professor of Political Science Eitan Hersh is quoted at length about the political platform of Troy Jackson, the U.S. Senate candidate challenging Susan Collins in Maine. Hersh also discusses a “hobbyist tendency” among voters, meaning they cast ballots based on emotion rather than strategy.
Trump Makes Republicans More Racist and Democrats Less So
The New York Times
09/22/2026
This opinion piece references 2020 research from Professor of Political Science Brian Schaffner that shows being exposed to Donald Trump's prejudiced rhetoric causes people to express more prejudice themselves.
Week in Review: Macklemore v. Bob Kraft, Sydney Sweeney, and Bob Mackie
PBS GBH TV
09/19/2026
Professor of the Practice Maurice Emmanuel Parent joins this episode of The Culture Show Podcast to discuss the past week's arts and culture news.
The phrase ‘Free Palestine' sparked the Ed Sheeran tour controversy. Why?
The Boston Globe
09/18/2026
Professor of Anthropology Amahl Bishara is quoted in this article looking into the controversy around the phrase “Free Palestine.”
Students shouldn't fear speaking up on campus
The Boston Globe
09/17/2026
Professor of Political Science Eitan Hersh is quoted about his Center for Expanding Viewpoints in Higher Education, which this editorial board piece cites as an example of how can schools restore a spirit of open inquiry on campus.
Deportation decision for Salah Sarsour expected before end of September
States Newsroom
09/15/2026
Professor of Anthropology Amahl Bishara testified at the federal immigration court hearings for Salah Sarsour, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, as an expert on Palestinian political expression and resistance in the context of Israeli occupation.
At Harvard and Northeastern, different approaches to speech — with different results
The Boston Globe
09/13/2026
Professor of Political Science Eitan Hersh is quoted about new rankings by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) that assesses colleges based on the climate for speech on campus.
Thinking Inside the Box; Wordplay, The CROSSWORD COLUMN
The New York Times
09/12/2026
Professor of the Practice of Biotechnology Frank S. David, alongside his son, co-created Sunday’s New York Times crossword puzzle.
Neural response measurements may offer new clues to how depression-related thoughts become automatic
Medical Xpress
09/10/2026
Professor of Psychology Gina Kuperberg discusses her collaborative experiment with fellow psychologist Victoria Sharpe and GSAS PhD student Apoorva Vallampati that showed rapid neural responses to personal depression-related words reveal inner feelings, which could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of depression.
Charlie Kirk's legacy is taking root on college campuses
The Boston Globe
09/10/2026
This opinion piece quotes A&S second-year student Mack Kozlowski, president of the Tufts Republicans club, about expected membership this year, and it links to Professor of Political Science Eitan Hersh’s February 2026 Boston Globe Ideas piece on the Center for Expanding Viewpoints in Higher Education, of which he is director.
How ‘Sesame Street' and other children's shows addressed 9/11 to help kids cope
The Independent US
09/09/2026
Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study & Human Development Lecturer Julie Dobrow examines how youth-focused media responded to 9/11, highlighting that many lessons remain relevant for helping children and teens navigate anxiety around today’s news cycle.
‘This is dangerous’: slime moulds and the bitter debate over the nature of intelligence
The Guardian UK
09/08/2026
Distinguished Professor of Biology Michael Levin is quoted throughout this in-depth exploration of the scientific debate regarding the concept of cognition and intelligence in nature--from slime molds and cells to plants and animals.
You can't shield kids from scary news – here's what ‘Sesame Street' and other children's shows did after 9/11
The Conversation
09/08/2026
Eliot-Pearson Department of Child Study & Human Development Lecturer Julie Dobrow examines how youth-focused media responded to 9/11, highlighting that many lessons remain relevant for helping children and teens navigate anxiety around today’s news cycle.
Week-in-Review: Gloria Steinem, Cassandra Wilson, and Making MapQuest Great Again
WGBH Boston FM
09/05/2026
Professor of the Practice of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies Maurice Emmanuel Parent joins this episode of The Culture Show Podcast to discuss the past week's arts and culture news.
Before the Record: Proofs as Ritual
Inside Higher Ed
09/03/2026
Associate Professor of Biology Philip T. Starks writes this piece reflecting on why he loves the proof stage of publishing a paper.
Transcript: Trump Hasn't Killed DEI in America
The New Republic
09/03/2026
Lenore Stern Professor in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Sociology, Natasha Warikoo joins this episode of Right Now With Perry Bacon to discuss how efforts to achieve greater diversity and equity continue as the Trump administration works to defeat those causes.
‘Not-quite primordial’ black holes may explain baffling JWST discovery
New Scientist
09/03/2026
This article highlights collaborative research from Assistant Professor of Physics & Astronomy Soubhik Kumar that found an explanation for why the James Webb Space Telescope seems to have discovered more ancient black holes than theory had predicted.