Ěýis an independent, nonprofit publisher of commentary and analysis, authored by academics and edited by journalists for the general public. OnĚýa mission “to promote truthful information and strengthen journalism by unlocking the rich diversity of academic research for audiences across America,” The ConversationĚýpublishes short articlesĚýby academics on timely topics related to their research. CU Boulder provides funding as a member of The Conversation U.S.ĚýLearn more about the partnership and how and why to write for The Conversation.

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original Beanie Babies in someone's home

Why are some Beanie Babies worth more than others? It's about supply and demand

July 5, 2023

CU Boulder expert Christophe Spaenjers answers Theo, age 8, In this Curious Kids installment of The Conversation, explaining why certain collectibles can become valuable as well as how they can lose worth. Read more.

Tree of Life

The tree of life—a powerful image in Judaism for thousands of years—signifies more than immortality

June 20, 2023

Jurors recently delivered a guilty verdict for the gunman who killed 11 worshippers in Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue—the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history. Tree of Life has almost become shorthand for the tragedy, yet it highlights a symbol from the Bible that has transformed over time. CU scholar Sam Boyd discusses on The Conversation.

Military vehicles carry an earlier version of China’s hypersonic missile during a 2019 parade

Aerospace engineer analyzes unique threats posed by China’s hypersonic missiles

May 25, 2023

China’s newest hypersonic missile, the DF-27, could sideline U.S. aircraft carrier groups in the Pacific. CU expert Iain Boyd discusses how the weapons work on The Conversation.

dark storm cloud

Cloud seeding can increase rain and snow, and new techniques may make it more effective

May 4, 2023

Cloud seeding—spraying materials into clouds to increase precipitation—has been around for nearly 80 years. But only recently have scientists been able to measure how effective it really is. CU’s Katja Friedrich lends expertise on The Conversation Weekly podcast.

Person holding a phone with Twitter logo in front of a Silicon Valley Bank sign

Twitter played a role in the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank—new research

May 4, 2023

Social media provides both a forum for communication and a public signal about what a bank’s customers believe. That means Twitter can facilitate coordination in real-time. CU expert Tony Cookson shares in The Conversation's Research Brief series.

The outline of a human hand trapped behind a grid of tiny intersecting circuits

Artificial intelligence is exciting—and an ethical minefield

April 28, 2023

AI is poised to reshape parts of U.S. culture and society, but have tech developments raced ahead of our ability to understand the consequences? Here are four essential reads from The Conversation archives.

a person wearing AI glasses

Artificial intelligence has social consequences, but who pays the price?

April 21, 2023

Generative artificial intelligence is designed to produce the unforeseen, but that doesn’t mean developers can’t predict the types of social consequences it may cause. CU expert Casey Fiesler shares on The Conversation.

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—scholars 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 Acuña 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’s happening and what’s 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—right up to Zoom Seders during the pandemic. Look back on The Conversation archives, featuring CU's Sam Boyd.

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