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Illinois schools sought to participate in 2024 Illinois Youth Survey
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — All middle schools and high schools in Illinois are invited to participate in the 2024 Illinois Youth Survey, an anonymous online survey that assesses a variety of health and social indicators among eighth, 10th and 12th grade students. The IYS collects data on factors such as drug use, violence, bullying, depression, school climate […]
Study: Americans struggle to distinguish factual claims from opinions amid partisan bias
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — How well do Americans succeed at distinguishing statements of fact from statements of opinion? The answer: Not very well at all, according to new research co-written by a team of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign scholars. Americans struggle to tell the difference between statements of fact and statements of opinion – a troubling […]
How will generative artificial intelligence affect political advertising in 2024?
It’s estimated that $12 billion will be spent on political ads this election cycle – 30% more than in 2020. The sheer volume of ads is remarkable, and there is vast potential to use this political information to contribute to democracy: to reach more potential voters and provide accurate information. There’s also more potential than […]
Study: Historic racial covenants in property deeds linked to disparities in exposure to dangerous heat
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Historic racial discrimination in property ownership is linked to reduced exposure to dangerous heat today, according to the first study to analyze the environmental impact of racial covenants in property deeds. The study looked at the city of Minneapolis and its suburbs and found that places where historic racial covenants existed had […]
White people more likely to confront authors of racist online posts to set discussion rules
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — White people surveyed in a recent study indicated they would be more likely to confront those who post racist content on social media if their objective were to defend the norms for political discussions rather than to change the person’s prejudiced beliefs. Communication professors Stewart M. Coles of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign […]
Ageism, mistaken beliefs complicate acceptance of older adults’ sexuality
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — More than 25% of the young adults surveyed in a recent study mistakenly believed that sexual activity increases older adults’ risk of heart attack and that disinterest in sex is a normal and inevitable part of aging. While most of those in the study had permissive views about sexual activity in later […]
News media trigger conflict for romantic couples with differing political views
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — By one estimate, as many as 30% of people in the U.S. are in romantic relationships with partners who do not share their political views. In today’s hyperpartisan climate, where Democrats and Republicans have difficulty talking to each other and their views are polarized about media outlets’ credibility, how do couples with […]
Two Illinois professors awarded NEH Fellowships
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Two University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign professors – Julie Turnock and Hermann von Hesse – have been awarded 2023 National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowships. Turnock is a professor of media and cinema studies in the College of Media, and von Hesse is a professor of art history in the School of Art […]
Cultural capital is key to a sense of belonging for college students of color
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — College students’ sense of belonging is believed to have important and far-reaching implications, contributing to academic achievement and persistence at college as well as offering protective effects against anxiety and depression. While belongingness initiatives are becoming commonplace at college campuses as officials strive to bolster student enrollment and retention, there currently is […]
How can Illinois better preserve its cultural identities?
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker recently announced new funding to support communities working to preserve and celebrate their unique cultural heritage. The “State Designated Cultural District” initiative will provide $3 million to selected cultural districts to aid such efforts. U. of I. anthropology professor Helaine Silverman, whose work focuses on the ways that nations and communities […]
Paper: Ancient Maya reservoirs offer lessons for today’s water crises
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — According to a new paper, ancient Maya reservoirs, which used aquatic plants to filter and clean the water, “can serve as archetypes for natural, sustainable water systems to address future water needs.” The Maya built and maintained reservoirs that were in use for more than 1,000 years, wrote University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign […]
State politics, industry drive planetary health education for K-12 students in US
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — As much of the U.S. broils under record-setting temperatures, battles wildfires and is rocked by fierce storms, a new study suggests that the science learning standards for many public schools are not preparing young people to understand and respond to problems such as climate change that will dramatically impact their lives and […]