The Thread
Where policy, equity, and culture come together
Becoming America: Marielena Hincapié on Writing Her Family’s Immigration Story
The Night Shift at Reykjavik: What ‘The Brink of War’ Tells Us about Arms Control
Could the Iran War Accelerate the Energy Transition?
What’s In Your Wallet? If You’re a Parent, It Should Be a Library Card.
Editor’s Picks
The SAVE Act Is the Wrong Way to ‘Nationalize’ Elections. There’s a Better One.
Four Ways to Protect Yourself from the Deepfakes Taking over the Internet
Is Trump Really a Fascist? Examining the Controversial Claim
The Cost of Beauty: Inside the Broken Promise of Cosmetology School
How Netflix’s ‘A House of Dynamite’ Might Change Our Thinking on Nuclear War
On-Screen Representation Means More Than Just Identity. It’s About Context.
The Latest
130 Years of Labor Day: What to Read and Watch to Understand Workers’ Rights
Get inspired this Labor Day with key insights and resources on labor unions and the future of work.
Paid Leave Is Back on the Agenda: Exploring the Economic and Social Benefits
Vicki Shabo explores how the 2024 election is reigniting the paid leave debate and highlights its key benefits for workers and families.
The Case for Shorter U.S. Election Campaigns: What Kamala Harris’s Brief Run Can Teach Us
Oscar Pocasangre examines Kamala Harris's short campaign as a sign for U.S. election reforms to shorten cycles and boost voter engagement.
How AI-Powered Mental Health Apps Are Handling Personal Information
OTI’s Erika Solis explores the crucial role mental health apps serve and their varied approaches to data privacy and transparency.
Examining the Political Dynamics Behind Russia’s Paris 2024 Olympics Ban
Andrés Martinez examines how Russia’s Olympic sanctions aim to limit their precedential impact amid IOC concerns about politics in sports.
Community Colleges Are Key to an Equitable Future of Work in America
Learn from Shalin Jyotishi about the NSF’s pivotal support to community colleges' critical role in enhancing tech diversity and innovation.
Gender Lines “Tested”: Rose Eveleth Examines Gender Rules in Sports
Rose Eveleth explores the history of gender verification in women's sports on Tested & implications as 2024 Paris Olympics approach.
Why Recent Abortion Access Supreme Court Rulings Are Status Quo for Deteriorating Rights
Vicki Shabo and Julia Craven navigate the complexities of today's abortion rights landscape in America and recent SCOTUS decisions.
Cowboy Carter: Beyoncé’s Bold Reclamation of Country Music and the American Identity
Jazmyne Owens explores Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning “Cowboy Carter” as an album that expands and redefines the American narrative.
Protecting LGBTQ Youth Online: A Conversation on Identity, Community, and Policy
Explore the impact of tech policy on LGBTQ youth online in this Q&A with Jasmine Heyward on identity, challenges, and digital community.
The Juneteenth Read-and-Watch List
Ted Johnson's curated list chronicles America's pursuit of justice and equality post the belated emancipation of enslaved Black people.
Protecting Your Mental Well-Being in a Turbulent World
Better Life Lab’s Jasmine Heyward shares recommendations for managing your mental health during an election year.
Asian and American: Navigating Dual Identities in the Digital Age
Through her experience as a Hong Kong American, Bridget Chan explores protecting AAPI communities online in the age of misinformation.
Bolstering Our Climate Havens: How Cities Can Prepare for Climate Migration
Climate migration patterns will reshape U.S. communities—affecting millions—prompting cities to prepare for an influx of climate migrants.
Fossil Fuel’s New Weapon: Climate Change “Delayism”
Global temperatures surpassed the critical 1.5°C threshold for the first time, the time to prioritize sustainable energy solutions is now.