“Call in the women! Chrystia Freeland and Kamala Harris’s new roles respond to the times” by Peggy Nash, Ryerson University What a groundbreaking week this has been in North America, with great excitement about two appointments that shatter glass ceilings. In the United States, Senator Kamala Harris, former California attorney general, has just been nominated as … Read More
Bipolar Disorder – “Explainer: what is bipolar disorder?” by Greg Murray, Swinburne University of Technology During a manic episode, the main character of popular television series Homeland, CIA agent Carrie Mathison (played by Claire Danes) colour codes the evidence in a terrorism case, making vital links that could lead to a breakthrough. Creative insights such as … Read More
Senate. “The Canadian Senate briefly reached gender parity — here’s why it matters” by Elizabeth McCallion, Queen’s University, Ontario At the end of 2020, Canada quietly reached a milestone: our first-ever gender-equal house of Parliament, the Senate. Sen. Frances Lankin noted in December that there were 47 women and 47 men in the Senate. The … Read More
“Americans are in a mental health crisis – especially African Americans. Can churches help?” by Brad R. Fulton, Indiana University Centuries of systemic racism and everyday discrimination in the U.S. have left a major mental health burden on African American communities, and the past few years have dealt especially heavy blows. Data from the Centers for … Read More
Thanksgiving. “As we mark Thanksgiving, a study of entrepreneurs explains why we give without receiving” by Rekha Krishnan, Simon Fraser University and Rajiv Krishnan Kozhikode, Simon Fraser University From someone dropping off dinner at the doorstep of a neighbour with COVID-19 to an octogenarian in India giving up his oxygen bed for a middle-aged patient, … Read More
“Pandemic prompts more teachers to consider early retirement or a new career” by Gema Zamarro, University of Arkansas; Andrew Camp, University of Arkansas; Dillon Fuchsman, Saint Louis University, and Josh McGee, University of Arkansas The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work. The Big Idea The COVID-19 pandemic reduced teachers’ commitment to remain … Read More
Homelessness. “The ageing face of homelessness in North American cities” by Sarah Canham, Simon Fraser University In Vancouver last month, more than 400 volunteers walked around, carrying clipboards and wearing bright yellow buttons that read “Homeless Count.” They were out on the streets or in shelters asking homeless people to complete brief surveys for the city’s … Read More
Masculinity. “Beyond the locker room: Coronavirus isolation is an opportunity to teach boys about toxic masculinity” by Michael Kehler, University of Calgary “Boys being boys” is a tired narrative, but one that is still dominant in sport culture. The latest example: The Washington Capitals released Brendan Leipsic after it was revealed he made misogynist comments in … Read More
Travel: “How COVID-19 could impact travel for years to come” by John Gradek, McGill University In late 2019, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) published its “Economic Performance of the Airline Industry” report. It contained a 2020 forecast of 4.1 per cent growth in global air traffic demand and net post-tax profits for North American airlines … Read More
Election. “How women voters could decide the Canadian federal election — again” by Elizabeth Goodyear-Grant, Queen’s University, Ontario Heading into the federal election campaign’s final days, the Liberal and Conservative parties are in a dead heat nationally in a race with an uncertain outcome. In the scramble for votes, the parties have all made gender-based … Read More
