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  5. 2023

Our Experts in the News: 2023

2022 2023 2024

  1. Notre Dame professor plans another summer dig for Collier Lodge site in Kouts By Shelley Jones

    April 30, 2023

    The public is invited to an authentic Midwestern archaeological dig at the old Collier Lodge on the banks of the Kankakee River in Kouts this June. The Kankakee Valley Historical Society will again partner with the University of Notre Dame to conduct the dig at what is considered to be one of the most significant archaeological sites in Northwest Indiana. From 2002 to 2012 Notre Dame Professor of Anthropology Mark Schurr led yearly digs. 

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  2. Joe Biden's Approval Rating Among Independents Is Alarming for Democrats

    April 29, 2023

    Independents were also crucial in deciding the outcome of the 2022 midterm elections, according to the Rooney Center for the Study of American Democracy at the University of Notre Dame. Matthew Hall, director of the Rooney Center, pointed to partisan loyalty in a statement about independents' role in the midterms, saying: "In today's highly polarized environment, voters are very loyal to their preferred political party. As a result, elections are almost entirely determined by voter turnout and independent voters."

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  3. The surprising science of climate protests

    April 20, 2023

    One study on the first Earth Day, on 22 April 1970, found a long-term impact on air quality in areas that had good weather that day – which researchers used as an estimate for participation in activities. "Our approach was to use weather to essentially mimic an experiment," says Daniel Hungerman. 

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  4. Learn Your Stripes: Studying Thom Browne at Notre Dame

    April 12, 2023

    “When you’re here, you feel that you’re in such a safe, enclosed environment,” says the designer and CFDA Chairman Thom Browne over a bowl of honey-blended yogurt and granola, his gray knit vest catching and softening the springtime light. He’s discussing his impression of The University of Notre Dame, both 30 years ago, when he was a student, and today, when he’s back in South Bend, Indiana to partake in a class dedicated to him called “Strong Suits: The Art, Philosophy and Business of Thom Browne.” 

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  5. Notre Dame student-written musical 'My Heart Says Go' takes on new life at Civic

    April 12, 2023

    Most musical theater smash hits don't get their start in South Bend, but University of Notre Dame musical theater professor and director Matt Hawkins says that's about to change with "My Heart Says Go."

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  6. As Trump pleads not guilty, Catholic experts weigh in on impact of indictment on 2024 campaign

    April 12, 2023

    Robert Schmuhl, professor emeritus of American studies at the University of Notre Dame who critically observes the modern American presidency, said that “the word ‘unprecedented’ is becoming the most common word associated with Donald Trump and his political career.”

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  7. Our Many Jesuses

    April 07, 2023

    According to Robin Jensen, an art historian and professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame, the Gospels give warrant for such variety, since they never physically describe Jesus and recount that, after his resurrection, some of his own disciples did not recognize him. For Christian Smith, a professor of sociology at Notre Dame, the proliferation of rival ideas of what Jesus stands for undermines the cultural authority of them all, by feeding into the “pluralistic, subjectivistic, relativistic” understanding of religion that prevails in contemporary America. 

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  8. Rewriting the English Curriculum

    April 04, 2023

    The University of Notre Dame, which recently restructured its English major requirements, plans to better integrate traditional literary studies with creative writing courses beginning next fall ... Though the details haven’t yet been fully mapped out, Laura Knoppers, chair of the university’s English department, gave the example of a creative writing professor teaching a course in Caribbean literature that could count as a creative writing course or a literature course, fulfilling the degree’s requirement for a class on cultural literature. 

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  9. Vietnam soldier’s family reunited with dog tag after journey around the globe

    March 29, 2023

    Fifty years ago today, the last American combat troops left Vietnam. Harry Smith shares the remarkable lengths former Senator Jim Webb and a group of Notre Dame students went to return a dog tag from the battlefield to the family of a Vietnam veteran.

     

    Originally published at ndisc.nd.edu.

  10. Catholic colleges cut humanities programs, citing student interest in other fields

    March 24, 2023

    At the University of Notre Dame, Sarah Mustillo, dean of the College of Arts and Letters, questioned the federal data on humanities graduates for the school.

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  11. This is the personality test you should take, says psychologist—it’s a ‘better predictor of behavior’

    March 23, 2023

    “They don’t get into the dirty underbelly of personality,” said David Watson, a professor of personality psychology at the University of Notre Dame.

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  12. Economists believe the Fed will keep raising rates despite the banking turmoil

    March 22, 2023

    “The Fed is really caught between a rock and a hard place,” said Christiane Baumeister, a professor at the University of Notre Dame. 

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  13. The numbers that are too big to imagine

    March 20, 2023

    To get my head around just how big this is, I spoke with the mathematician Joel David Hamkins of the University of Notre Dame in the US, who writes a newsletter about enormous numbers and infinity called Infinitely More.

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  14. Remembering former Rep. Pat Schroeder

    March 14, 2023

    Here & Now's Robin Young speaks with Notre Dame political scientist Christina Wolbrecht about the legacy of Rep. Pat Schroeder, who died at the age of 82.

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  15. Tucker Carlson’s Jan. 6 narrative engages in post-truth journalism, Catholic scholars warn

    March 09, 2023

    Robert Schmuhl, professor emeritus of American studies at the University of Notre Dame who studies journalism and the modern American presidency, told OSV News that Carlson “is using the video that Speaker McCarthy gave him exclusively to try to create an alternate narrative to what happened on Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol.”

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  16. "The mafias enjoy the monopoly of transport and opt for the longest and most dangerous routes"

    March 05, 2023

    (in Spanish only) Given this latest tragedy, we asked migration expert Maurizio Albahari about whether this shipwreck could have been avoided. Albahari, who is a professor at the School of Anthropology at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, explains why the routes to Italy are so risky and recalls that "smugglers enjoy a monopoly on transportation and opt for longer routes and dangerous."

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  17. Cardinal McElroy says church must 'redesign' just-war theory, favor nonviolent action

    March 03, 2023

    Drawing on six decades of papal teaching on peace, the cardinal told an audience at the University of Notre Dame on March 1 that Catholics are facing a "new moment" in history, one that requires finding nonviolent alternatives to prevent war.

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  18. Restored Black Catholic churches show power of Black Catholic tradition to evangelize

    February 27, 2023

    Darren Davis, professor at the University of Notre Dame and co-author of “Perseverance in the Parish?: Religious Attitudes from a Black Catholic Perspective,” estimates that anywhere from 200 to 400 parishes in the U.S. reflect the African American heritage in Catholic life.

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  19. Places with high religious participation have fewer deaths of despair

    February 27, 2023

    A new paper by Tyler Giles of Wellesley, Daniel Hungerman of Notre Dame and Tamar Oostrom of Ohio State bolsters the case that deaths of despair stem in part from weakening social ties. 

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  20. A U.S. Marine lost his dog tag in the Vietnam war. A tour group just found it.

    February 24, 2023

    Former U.S. senator from Virginia and former secretary of the Navy, Jim Webb, took Notre Dame students late last year on an 11-day tour of Vietnam based on his own war experiences. Webb was a platoon commander and first lieutenant in the war, and now is a distinguished fellow at the Notre Dame International Security Center. Michael Desch, international relations professor at the University of Notre Dame, was also with Webb leading the tour.

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  21. Marjorie Taylor Greene's 'Divorce' From Reality | Opinion

    February 23, 2023

    Matthew Hall is the director of the Rooney Center for the Study of American Democracy and the David A. Potenziani Memorial College Professor of Constitutional Studies at the University of Notre Dame. 

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  22. The Catholic right wing takes a wrong turn

    February 22, 2023

    Halfway through Trump’s term, Notre Dame political scientist Patrick Deneen gave voice to the bubbling conservative discontent.

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  23. Vietnam veteran's dog tag found in rice field, returned to family 57 years later: 'Means the world'

    February 18, 2023

    In October 2022, former Virginia Senator Jim Webb and Notre Dame Professor Michael Desch took a group of students to visit the province. While exploring near an airstrip used by the U.S. military, a villager approached them and said he had six dog tags that were found plowing rice fields over the years.

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  24. Hong Kong’s Brand Makeover Leaves Out Mention of Social Upheaval

    February 13, 2023

    “You see the same buildings, the same bustling streets—Hong Kong looks like before. But what’s really important is the soul,” said Victoria Hui, an associate professor of politics at the University of Notre Dame. “The Hong Kong brand has been destroyed, and the Hong Kong soul has emptied out.”

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  25. Hong Kong’s Pro-Democracy Leaders Held an Election. Now They’re on Trial.

    February 12, 2023

    “The trial of the 47 represents a turning point in the crackdown because it reveals the true purpose of the national security law,” said Victoria Hui, an associate professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame who studies Hong Kong.

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  26. Mishandled classified materials have caused an uproar. Here’s why.

    February 09, 2023

    Perspective by Katlyn Marie Carter. Carter is an assistant professor of history at the University of Notre Dame.

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  27. Peace through strength? US rattles China with new defenses near Taiwan.

    February 09, 2023

    While it’s not hard to see why the new announcement on bases seems hostile to Beijing, “we’re not talking about putting intermediate-range ballistic missiles there, which would look like an ability to attack targets in China,” says Eugene Gholz, associate professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.  

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  28. Russia Only Managing Tiny Advances Amid Ammo and Troop Issues: U.K.

    February 07, 2023

    "It is clear the Kremlin thinks it has the capacity to continue the war and resume the offensive," said Ian Ona Johnson, assistant professor of military history at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana.

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  29. Low unemployment or low inflation? The Fed’s dual mandate, explained, and why officials could soon face an impossible choice

    February 01, 2023

    “The Fed wants the unemployment rate to be consistent with what the economy’s potential is, and that’s not zero,” says Eric Sims, economics professor at the University of Notre Dame.

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.

  30. Kansas City’s role in making doomsday weapons is a boon for the local economy

    February 01, 2023

    “There’s a lot of sophisticated electronics, you know, timers, fuses, conventional explosives that help the nuclear explosives go off,” says Eugene Gholz, a political science professor at the University of Notre Dame.

    Originally published at news.nd.edu.