Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
John Aldrich is a professor of political science at Duke, where he specializes in American politics and behavior. He has written and contributed to several books, the most recent being “Change and Continuity in the 2020 Elections.” We asked him about changes in how the U.S. House of Representatives might operate after a contentious battle to elect a Republican speaker and related concessions Rep. Kevin McCarthy made to hardline Republicans in the House. Q: Just how impactful will be the new rule about a single member… read more » about Explaining What the House’s New Rules Mean for This Congress
Candis Watts Smith has been appointed to an 18-month term as interim vice provost for undergraduate education. In this role, she will provide strategic vision and leadership for the many facets of Duke’s undergraduate educational experience, and will lead the Office of Undergraduate Education and its initiatives to support student success, foster intellectual community, and facilitate experiential education for undergraduates. Smith begins her service this month, working alongside outgoing Vice Provost for Undergraduate… read more » about Candis Watts Smith Appointed Interim Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
A new Duke University study appears to ease concerns that clergy would steer congregants suffering from depression away from mental health providers and instead rely only on their faith. Clergy are often the first point of contact for people suffering from depression. About 90 percent of clergy members surveyed for the Duke study embrace a medical understanding of depression; about 10 percent said they’d counsel their congregation members to address depression solely through religious means. “We consider this good news… read more » about Most Clergy Follow Science on Depression Treatment, Duke Study Finds
read more » about Duke Biologist Discovers How Glass Frogs Weave the World’s Best Invisibility Cloak
With California Republican Kevin McCarthy losing multiple votes Tuesday to become speaker of the House, a final outcome may not come until Wednesday – and may result in a new candidate, a veteran political scientist said Tuesday. Until then, the work of the People’s House will mostly remain on hold. “The focus is now on Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) with no votes cast (these last two rounds) for Rep. Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana). This suggests that Jordan will be the second major figure for a while. He'd have to have a way… read more » about Historic House Speaker Contest 'More Uncertain Than Ever'
DURHAM, N.C. -- Marvel at the tiny nanoscale structures emerging from research labs at Duke University and Arizona State University, and it’s easy to imagine you’re browsing a catalog of the world’s smallest pottery. A new paper reveals some of the teams’ creations: itty-bitty vases, bowls, and hollow spheres, one hidden inside the other, like housewares for a Russian nesting doll. But instead of making them from wood or clay, the researchers designed these objects out of threadlike molecules of DNA, bent and folded into… read more » about Designing With DNA
