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August 1, 2023

Research

Understanding Facebook’s impact on politics

Posted on
Wisconsin Public Radio

A series of Meta-supported are finding Facebook’s algorithms alone weren’t responsible for harmful polarization in the 2020 presidential election cycle. But an independent audit found Meta maintained strong control over what data to provide researchers for study. We talk with Mike Wagner, a professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at UW-Madison, about research into the power of social media algorithms and what makes an independent study.

Climate change could collapse a key Atlantic Ocean current. How that could affect Wisconsin

Posted on
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Feng He, a senior scientist with the Center for Climatic Research within the Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said Wisconsin would see some pretty abrupt changes under a collapsed current, likely mirroring the major warming episode between 48,000 and 68,000 years ago.

Community

Hold-outs no more? Madison police body camera test run to face final City Council vote

Posted on
Wisconsin State Journal

UW-Madison Professor Keith Findley, who co-chaired the Body-Worn Camera Feasibility Review Committee, said despite the pilot program’s differences, it largely reflects the committee’s recommendations.

“It’s taken so long to get to this point we can’t keep dragging our feet on this,” Findley told the Civilian Police Oversight Board on Monday. “I think Madison has fallen behind on the times.”

Opinion

Commentary: Young people deserve a seat at the table

Posted on
Tribune News Service

The myriad crises we collectively face demand innovative and collaborative solutions. It is time for the expertise of teens and young adults to take center stage. Our future depends on it.

About the writer: Linnea Hjelm is a PhD Candidate at the University of Wisconsin School of Human Ecology. She has worked in violence prevention in high schools, colleges and nonprofit organizations with youth and adult leaders. This column was produced for Progressive Perspectives, a project of The Progressive magazine, and distributed by Tribune News Service.

UW Experts in the News

Were fired Waukesha teacher Melissa Tempel’s First Amendment rights violated? Experts weigh in

Posted on
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Quoted: Whether public employees’ speech is constitutionally protected depends on the context they are acting in, said Robert Dreschel, University of Wisconsin-Madison professor emeritus of journalism and mass communication.

“It doesn’t take long before things get complicated and difficult to sort out,” Dreschel said. “It’s certainly quite a clash of interests.”