Countering Violent Extremism in Video Games with Jessica White

In 2021 online video games produced more than $180 billion in revenue for more than 2.8 billion users. Dr. Jessica White warns that hidden in all of that cash and among all of those users are extremists who encourage and often inspire real-world violence. White is a Senior Research Fellow at the R…

Blood Orange Night: Melissa Bond on Her Journey to Overcome Addiction

In 2021 online video games produced more than $180 billion in revenue for more than 2.8 billion users. Dr. Jessica White warns that hidden in all of that cash and among all of those users are extremists who encourage and often inspire real-world violence.

Leveraging the Power of Scent for Communication with Saskia Wilson-Brown

Noses—and their ability to detect smell—may not be as celebrated in words and songs as our other human senses—but Saskia Wilson-Brown says scents tell stories, too.  Wilson-Brown began her career in music video and production design, going on to serve as festival co-director for Los Angeles’ semin…

Reporting on the War in Ukraine with Anton Troianovski

Russia’s war in Ukraine has killed thousands while displacing millions of Ukrainians.  For many Western journalists, the war has made it untenable to report from Russia amid a crack-down on independent journalism.  Anton Troianovski has seen Russia up close, reporting there first for The Washington…

Identifying Russian Disinformation on Social Media with Darren Linvill

It’s been said that truth is the first casualty of war. As Russia wages its war in Ukraine, Darren Linvill sounds the alarm that social media, which has long had its own problems with the truth, is again a platform for Russian disinformation. Linvill is a social media forensics expert and Associat…

Examining the Threats to American Democracy with Rachel Kleinfeld

Democratic backsliding isn’t limited to weak governments abroad.  Rachel Kleinfeld warns about the dangers facing American democracy, including the growing acceptance of intimidation and even political violence in some communities. Rachel Kleinfeld is a senior fellow in the Democracy, Conflict, an…

Studying Traumatic Brain Injuries Among Survivors of Domestic Violence

Traumatic brain injuries can have lifelong impacts on cognitive and psychological function.  Dr. Eve Valera studies these injuries among survivors of domestic violence and says they have serious mental health impacts. Valera is an associate professor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a r…

Comic Communication with John Atkinson

Cartoons communicate ideas in ways words cannot.  Canadian artist and humorist John Atkinson shares his unique take on the world through his cartoon series, “Wrong Hands” creations. Born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, John Atkinson has been writing and drawing his cartoon series, “Wrong Hands,” for…

Tackling Election Integrity on Social Media with Katie Harbath

A decade ago, social media could be seen as a well-spring of democratic innovation and potential.  Events of the last six years may have changed the public’s perception on that score, but Katie Harbath warns that social media platforms have much more work to do to protect democracy in the United St…

The Blueprint for Autocracy with Ruth Ben-Ghiat

Tyranny comes in many forms, but its central elements of violence, lost glories, and corruption seem to repeat.  Ruth Ben-Ghiat warns that autocrats have risen frequently from democracy over the last century by relying on a simple playbook that has proved as durable as it is menacing. Ben-Ghiat is…