by Iliyah Maddox | Apr 7, 2025 | arts and humanities, engineering and tech
Words change their meanings over time, but tracking these changes has traditionally required painstaking manual analysis by linguists. In recent years, researchers have been using computational models to automatically detect when semantic change happens, and how much of a change has occurred. Recent research led by Associate Professor Nina Tahmasebi and her colleagues in the Change is Key! program introduces innovative computational methods for detecting qualitative features of semantic change, opening new possibilities for understanding language evolution at scale.
by Iliyah Maddox | Mar 13, 2025 | arts and humanities, social and behavioural sciences
Research by Professor Denise Troutman at Michigan State University examines how race, gender, and social context shape perceptions of politeness and impoliteness in language, particularly focusing on the term ‘sassy’ when applied to African American women and girls. The research challenges traditional theories of politeness and reveals a need for cultural contextualizations to avert harmful stereotypes.
by Iliyah Maddox | Feb 12, 2025 | arts and humanities
Research from Professor Carsten Herrmann-Pillath at the University of Erfurt and Professor Guo Man at Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen Campus reveals how traditional funeral practices are being transformed in Shenzhen, an area of China which has rapidly developed into a huge metropolis. The research shows how government regulations, economic forces, and cultural traditions interact to create new forms of death rituals that balance modern urban constraints with deep-rooted customs.
by Iliyah Maddox | Jan 23, 2025 | arts and humanities, social and behavioural sciences
Research by Professor Will Greaves at the University of Victoria examines how the Trump presidency has impacted the long-standing security relationship between Canada and the United States. His analysis reveals concerning shifts in the foundations of bilateral cooperation and trust between these traditionally close allies, with implications for the future of North American security arrangements.
by Iliyah Maddox | Jan 17, 2025 | arts and humanities, biology, social and behavioural sciences
Research by Professor Magnus S. Magnusson at the University of Iceland demonstrates surprising similarities between the organization of cellular protein networks and of human societies. He reveals how the invention of writing and, very recently, general education, transformed human civilization in ways that mirror ancient biological developments and emphasises how this makes humans unique.
by Iliyah Maddox | Jan 16, 2025 | arts and humanities
Research by Professors Bernd Schlipphak and Oliver Treib, both of the University of Münster, along with Doctor Constantin Schäfer of ifok GmbH, Germany, reveals how people’s sense of global identity influences their support for international organizations. Their work demonstrates that reforms to international organizations can have opposing effects on different groups of citizens, potentially increasing societal divisions about global cooperation.
