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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Illustration of a human painting a robot, while the robot draws the human with pencil

5 essential reads on the new era of generative artificial intelligence

April 19, 2023

Creativity, job anxiety, misinformation, bias and plagiarism鈥攕cholars are helping society come to grips with the potential benefits and harms of generative AI. Look back on The Conversation archives, featuring CU experts Daniel Acu帽a and Casey Greene.

Sprinklers watering a lettuce field in Holtville, California, with Colorado River water.

The Colorado River drought crisis: 5 essential reads

April 13, 2023

A 23-year western drought has drastically shrunk the Colorado River, leading the Biden administration to consider mandatory cuts to water allocations in some states. Look back on The Conversation archives to better understand what鈥檚 happening and what鈥檚 at stake.

Person reading from the Haggadah while preparing to dip parsley into salt water

Why is Passover different from all other nights? 3 essential reads on the Jewish holiday

April 5, 2023

The Passover Seder has tradition and remembrance at its core, but that doesn't mean it's unchanging. The holiday has been evolving from the start鈥攔ight up to Zoom Seders during the pandemic. Look back on The Conversation archives, featuring CU's Sam Boyd.

A member of the Lakota nation hugging a horse's head

Archaeology, genomics and Indigenous knowledge revise the human-horse story in the American West

March 30, 2023

European colonists chronicled their version of how Indigenous peoples lived with horses. New collaborative research adds scientific detail to Indigenous narratives that tell a different story. CU expert William Taylor shares on The Conversation.

snow geese flying in Maryland

As bird flu continues to spread, what鈥檚 the risk of a human pandemic?

March 16, 2023

Avian influenza viruses have evolved to infect birds, but the current H5N1 outbreak is also infecting a wide range of mammals. This suggests it could mutate into forms that threaten humans. CU expert Sara Sawyer shares on The Conversation.

Sierra Nevada covered in snow

Why rain on snow in the California mountains worries scientists

March 14, 2023

Another atmospheric river is hitting the state, raising flood risks as rain falls on deep snowpack. Rain on snow is also a growing problem as the planet warms. CU expert Keith Musselman discusses on The Conversation.

Visitors file by the inscribed plaques on the outer circle of the Columbine Memorial at Clement Park. Credit: Glenn Asakawa

3 ways to prevent school shootings, based on research

March 6, 2023

Two sociologists from CU Boulder's Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence discuss the circumstances that lead to violence in which an attacker picks a target鈥攍ike a person, group, or school鈥攊n advance. They find that the same patterns of concerning behavior emerge, but that鈥檚 not all. Read more on The Conversation

Illustration of people walking down the street, all connected to the internet

How access to ChatGPT-style tech is about to change our world

March 3, 2023

New technologies are often surrounded by hopeful messages that they will alleviate poverty and bring about positive social change. History shows these assumptions are often misplaced. Three experts discuss in The Conversation podcast.

Screenshot of video footage of the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols

How video evidence is presented in court can sway听juror perception

Feb. 10, 2023

Video footage can play a crucial part in cases such as the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols. Depending on how the evidence is presented, among other factors, jurors can perceive events in a video in different ways. CU expert Sandra Ristovska explains on The Conversation.

A Chinese surveillance balloon in U.S. airspace before it was shot down by the U.S. military

Chinese spy balloon over the US: An aerospace expert explains

Feb. 6, 2023

The U.S. military shot down what officials have called a Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina on Feb. 4, 2023. Professor Iain Boyd explains how such balloons work and what they can see. Read it on The Conversation.

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