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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A white-shouldered bumblebee visits the flowers of a goldenbanner.

Examining plant-pollinator interactions in a Rocky Mountain subalpine

Sept. 11, 2024

CU expert Julian Resasco visited the same Rocky Mountain subalpine meadow weekly for a decade of summers鈥攈ere's what he learned. Read on The Conversation.

Wild horses

Domesticating horses had a huge impact on society鈥攏ew science rewrites where, when it happened

Sept. 3, 2024

New analyses of bones, teeth, genetics and artifacts suggest it鈥檚 time to revise a long-standing hypothesis for how humans domesticated horses. Read from CU expert William Taylor on The Conversation.

a stream

Urban wildfires disrupt streams and their tiny inhabitants鈥攁 warning of bigger problems

Aug. 26, 2024

After wildfires in California and Colorado cities, levels of harmful metals in the water jumped. Nature sent up a red flag. Read from CU expert Lauren Magliozzi on The Conversation.

person shopping on a smartphone

Bipartisan data-privacy law could backfire on small businesses

Aug. 13, 2024

Privacy comes at a price. The American Privacy Rights Act could undermine small entrepreneurs who rely on targeted digital advertising. Read from CU expert John Lynch and colleague Jean-Pierre Dub茅 on The Conversation.

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks to supporters during a campaign rally in West Allis, Wisconsin

Kamala Harris鈥� biracial identity听is a strength or weakness, depending on whom you ask

Aug. 6, 2024

While many voters embrace Kamala Harris鈥� candidacy and the fact that she is a multiracial woman without any biological children, some Republicans are using her identity as fodder for attacks. Read from CU expert Jennifer Ho on The Conversation.

A research assistant at the the German National Metrology Institute studies an atomic clock

Unequal access to quantum education may limit progress in this emerging field

July 24, 2024

Universities are beginning to investigate quantum information science education to develop a workforce ready for the technology, and now is the time to improve access. Read from CU experts Bethany Wilcox and Josephine Meyer on The Conversation.

iron ore deposits in Australia

Australia鈥檚 largest iron ore deposits 1 billion years younger than previously thought

July 24, 2024

How did Australia end up with so much iron ore? What researchers discovered in Western Australia redefines how we think about iron deposits鈥攁nd provides clues on how we might find more. Read from CU expert Liam Courtney-Davies on The Conversation.

Students prepare for their bar and bat mitzvahs at a camp for Jewish children of color

Jewish world much more diverse than 鈥楩iddler on the Roof鈥� suggests

June 13, 2024

Most ideas about Jewish culture in the United States come from Ashkenazi traditions, but there鈥檚 a vast landscape of Jewish cultures around the world鈥攁nd represented in the U.S. Read from CU expert Samira Mehta on The Conversation.

pages of a book shaped into a heart

Inside the rise and fall of one of the world鈥檚 most powerful writing groups

June 6, 2024

In its bankruptcy filing, the Romance Writers of America blamed 鈥渄isputes concerning diversity, equity and inclusion鈥� for its membership declining by an astounding 80%. Read from CU expert Christine Larson on The Conversation.

John Trumbull's painting of the Declaration of Independence with emoticons on every person's face

Why the future of democracy could depend on your group chats

June 3, 2024

Americans associate with each other more online than off these days. How people interact in digital communities could have a big impact on democracy. Read from CU expert Nathan Schneider on The Conversation.

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