听is an independent, nonprofit publisher of commentary and analysis, authored by academics and edited by journalists for the general public. On听a mission 鈥渢o promote truthful information and strengthen journalism by unlocking the rich diversity of academic research for audiences across America,鈥� The Conversation听publishes short articles听by academics on timely topics related to their research. CU Boulder provides funding as a member of The Conversation U.S.听Learn more about the partnership and how and why to write for The Conversation.

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coal power plant

What鈥檚 really driving coal power鈥檚 demise?

March 2, 2021

Contrary to popular belief, falling natural gas prices didn鈥檛 significantly accelerate coal power plant retirements. Here鈥檚 what did. Leeds School of Business professors David Drake and Jeff York share on The Conversation.

Dark matter image from NASA

On the hunt for dark matter

Feb. 25, 2021

In this week鈥檚 episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, postdoctoral fellow Benjamin Brubaker discusses a new way to speed up the search for one of the universe鈥檚 most elusive enigmas: dark matter.

Dark matter image from NASA

The search for dark matter gets a speed boost from quantum technology

Feb. 10, 2021

Researchers have found a way to speed up the search for dark matter using technology from quantum computing. Postdoctoral fellow Benjamin Brubaker shares on The Conversation.

Person uses skis to traverse snowy New York City

What exactly is the polar vortex?

Feb. 9, 2021

The term 鈥減olar vortex鈥� is often used loosely to refer to unusually cold, snowy storms. The stratospheric polar vortex itself won鈥檛 appear in your backyard, but it does influence winter weather. Researchers Zachary Lawrence and Amy Butler share on The Conversation.

Feet standing on dry, cracked earth

Why the US rejoining the Paris climate accord matters at home and abroad鈥�5 scholars explain

Jan. 26, 2021

The U.S. backing of the Paris Agreement has an influence on food security, health and safety, and the future warming of the planet. National Snow and Ice Data Center researcher Walt Meier and fellow scholars share on The Conversation.

Jill Biden holds the Bible as Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States

From Biden鈥檚 giant Bible to Christian flags waved by rioters, 鈥榬eligion鈥� means different things to different people and different eras

Jan. 20, 2021

From the oath-taking on the Bible during the presidential swearing-in ceremony, to the 鈥渁we鈥� and 鈥渞estraint鈥� of the early Christian world, the meaning of 鈥渞eligion鈥� has gone through a long journey. Assistant Professor Sam Boyd shares on The Conversation.

Betsy Devos

Through her divisive rhetoric, education secretary DeVos leaves a troubled legacy of her own

Jan. 12, 2021

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has resigned. Sharing on The Conversation, CU Boulder Professor Kevin Welner and four other experts comment on the impact DeVos has had on education.

Vice President Mike Pence

In Mike Pence, US evangelicals had their 鈥�24-karat-gold鈥� man in the White House鈥攍oyalty may tarnish that legacy

Jan. 6, 2021

As Mike Pence prepares for life after vice presidency, professor and religious scholar Deborah Whitehead looks back at the political and religious conversions that informed the politician鈥檚 worldview.

whale swimming in ocean

Marine protection falls short of the 2020 target to safeguard 10% of the world鈥檚 oceans

Dec. 14, 2020

Global leaders pledged to protect 10% of the oceans by 2020. We鈥檙e nowhere close, but a U.N. treaty and lessons from Antarctica could help. Assistant Professor Cassandra Brooks and a colleague share on The Conversation.

open window in an apartment

Keeping indoor air clean can reduce chance of spreading coronavirus

Nov. 20, 2020

Being indoors with other people is a recipe for spreading COVID-19, but removing airborne particles through proper ventilation and air filtration can reduce risk. Professor Shelly Miller shares on The Conversation.

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