From the Media

May Day protests have long history in the Pacific Northwest
Protests were planned across the world on May 1 in honor of International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day, including in the Pacific Northwest. Steven Beda, an assistant professor of history at the College of Arts and Sciences, specializes in the history of labor in the Pacific Northwest. He said many in the labor movement came to believe that these men were convicted because they were immigrants, not because they committed a crime.
The folly of Trump taking a 'wrecking ball' to a crucial science advisory board
Mother Jones spoke with College of Arts and Sciences chemist and presidential chair Geraldine Richmond about the state of the National Science Foundation under the current White House administration. "This board is so important for being able to advise Congress as well as the president on issues that are so important to the country,” she said. Richmond was first appointed to the board by President Barack Obama and later by Trump during his first term.
The science behind the Adidas shoes that helped two marathoners break the two-hour mark
Kenyan runners Sabastian Sawe (1:59:30) and Yomif Kejelcha (1:59:41) broke the two-hour marathon barrier at the 2026 London Marathon. College of Arts and Sciences human physiologist Brad Wilkins spoke with the publication Scientific American about the specially made Adidas shoes the two runners wore in the race and broke down why these shoes make such a difference.
‘An incredible force of nature’ or in over her head?: How Oregonians are processing Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s resignation
Longtime Oregonian Lori Chavez-DeRemer's resignation as US labor secretary came after 13 months in office amid a swirl of whistleblowers’ allegations of professional misconduct. Her departure from the Trump administration means less influence for Oregon on the national stage, Chandler James told the Oregonian. James is a College of Arts and Sciences political science assistant professor.
Want to Stay in Your Prime for Longer? Try LeBron James' Post-Game Recovery Strategies
Since 2003, “King James” Lebron, age 41, has continued to rule the NBA without serious injuries since 2003, redefining elite longevity in the process. Lebron plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. “He’s been so successful over the years in large part because he goes the extra yard in the recovery process,” said Christopher Minson, a professor of physiology at the College of Arts and Sciences who trains endurance athletes.
My twin brother was disabled, but I don't consider myself a 'glass child'
March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month and Developmental Disability Awareness Month. For WBUR in Boston, Massachusetts, College of Arts and Sciences Disability Studies Program Director Brian Trapp wrote an essay about his experiences with his twin brother, who had severe cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities.
Political implications of 'No Kings'
What are the political implications of "No Kings" rallies? Portland-area TV news outlet KGW interviewed College of Arts and Sciences political scientist Chandler James. According to James, politicians on the 2026 midterm ballot are paying attention to what's happening at the rallies held across the country.
The dogma of meat
From Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s food pyramid to online influencers, beef has become more than just a source of protein. The New York Times included insight about the history of meat in the US from Hannah Cutting-Jones, a global studies assistant professor at the College of Arts and Sciences Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages.
Hormones influence women's exercise performance, but not as you'd expect, research finds
Mira Schoeberlien, a third-year human physiology doctoral student in the College of Arts and Sciences, had research reported by the outlet Medical Xpress and shared by MSN news. Schoeberlein’s research found that female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone fluctuations through the menstrual cycle don’t change a woman’s ability to exercise hard — but they do influence how difficult it feels.
Kansas revoked transgender people’s IDs overnight — researchers anticipate cascading health and social consequences
L. Zachary DuBois, an associate professor of anthropology in the College of Arts and Sciences, writes about how the number of bills directly targeting and undermining the existing legal rights of transgender and nonbinary people in the US has been escalating, with sharp increases since 2021 and with each consecutive year.
The Magnates of Mahjong
The Dallas-based publication D Magazine featured College of Arts and Sciences History Associate Professor Annelise Heinz, who authored "Mahjong: A Chinese Game and the Making of Modern American Culture," about a luxury retailer Mahjong Line. The Texas-based company faced backlash for allegations of cultural appropriation in 2021.
The myth that women are more naturally empathetic than men
In a BBC article covering scientific research that is upending age-old gender stereotypes about empathy, Sara Hodges is featured. Hodges is a psychologist at the College of Arts and Sciences and co-author of a study that proposes that women may show improved empathic accuracy not due to an innate ability, but because they are more motivated to do so by societal expectations.
The Outdoor Industry Needs Workers, And Workers Need Unions
The online media outlet The Defector spoke with Steven Beda, history associate professor, about organized labor in the outdoors tourism industry. “Workers organizing unions today face a much more challenging legal landscape,” Beda said.
Attention, Parents of Bedrotters: Sleeping in Is Actually Good for Teens’ Mental Health
Good Housekeeping reported on a new study by College of Arts and Sciences and SUNY Upstate Medical University researchers on why sleeping in helps teen mental health. The article features study co-author Melynda Casement, associate professor of psychology.
‘Shrines influence daily life, shaping social ties’
Pakistan-based publication Business Recorder reported on a lecture conducted by Anita Weiss, professor emerita in global studies. According to Weiss, shrines in Pakistan are not just places of worship but also powerful centers that shape everyday life.