The resignations of all but one member of the board of the US Fulbright Program is concerning. Their resignations followed claims of political interference with the Program from the White House.[1] Let me explain why everyone should care about its future, even if you are not a ‘Fulbrighter’. When I was a professor at the … Continue reading The Fulbright Program: Why Should We Care?
MSU
Universities for All
Harvard and other elite universities in the USA are targets of Donald Trump and his administration, accusing them of biases in their treatment of students based on their ideological views. This attack builds on efforts to control the governance of private universities, such as members of the Ivy League and other top ranked universities. In … Continue reading Universities for All
USA Senator Elissa Slotkin
US Senator Elissa Slotkin’s response to President Donald J. Trump’s speech to Congress was a breath of fresh air and good sense. A young senator with great experience, particularly in national security, Senator Slotkin exhibited a care for the truth, knowledge of her subjects, an effort to communicate across partisan lines, while conveying a sincere … Continue reading USA Senator Elissa Slotkin
Saving Strunk and White
Looking into one of my College’s hallway recycling bins, as one does, I found a fourth edition paperback of Strunk and White’s The Elements of Style. Arguably, for my generation, as Strunk died the year before I was born, this has been one of the most useful and inspiring books for any young writer or … Continue reading Saving Strunk and White
Raising Awareness of Social Media for Positive Social Change
My colleagues and I involved with the World Internet Project (WIP) are looking for some inspiring initiatives in the use of the internet and social media for effecting positive social change. A thesis by Ms Emilia Askari in the College of Education at Michigan State University alerted me to this potential, and discussions within WIP … Continue reading Raising Awareness of Social Media for Positive Social Change
How People Look for Information about Politics
The following lists papers and work in progress flowing from our research, which began at MSU, and was funded by Google Inc., on how people get access to information about politics. It was launched when I was director of the Quello Center at Michigan State University, but continues with me and colleagues at Quello and … Continue reading How People Look for Information about Politics
Quello Center Advisory Board
Great first meeting as a new member of the Quello Center Advisory Board, 9 May 2019. It was a great opportunity to thank Gary Reid, who is retiring, for his contributions to the Center, and to see members of the Board, who continue to contribute to the Center's success. Merit Innovation Award to the Quello … Continue reading Quello Center Advisory Board
Who Named MSU Spartans? Stephen George Scofes
Mystery Solved: The Spartan Who Named Michigan State University’s Spartans: Stephen George Scofes After the second world war, Stephen George Scofes ran a restaurant in Lansing, Michigan, called ‘The Famous Grill’, where he became friends with coaches and athletes at Michigan State University. He came up with the nickname for MSU – the Spartans. Here is … Continue reading Who Named MSU Spartans? Stephen George Scofes
New Position as Quello Chair at MSU
After 12 great years at Oxford, I am delighted to be joining MSU as their new Quello Professor. Not sure how my former USC Trojan colleagues will react to me joining the Spartans! The current Director of the Quello Center, Professor Steve Wildman, a recent Chief Economist at the FCC, posted a much appreciated announcement … Continue reading New Position as Quello Chair at MSU