In the News
-
September 4, 2025
“Gray rocking” — a communication tool that involves responding to goading comments with a blank expression and calm, neutral tone — can be effective in situations where you don’t feel unsafe but do have to interact with a difficult person, said Sandra Graham-Bermann, professor of psychology and psychiatry: “You don’t give extra attention; limit your engagement and protect yourself.”
The Washington Post -
September 4, 2025
“Sadness is associated with that feeling of being at the mercy of outside forces, usually nonhuman forces or external forces. Those feelings of a lack of control can keep the sadness going. Shopping is just a very common and tempting way to exert personal control,” said Scott Rick, associate professor of marketing, whose research suggests that retail therapy may actually reduce sadness.
MarketWatch -
September 3, 2025
“I think if I were to say there’s any single design feature that I would like to change, it would be to break away from this model of the isolated person speaking to the chatbot and find a way to make it more of a group conversation,” said Webb Keane, professor of anthropology, weighing in on “AI psychosis,” following recent high-profile cases of users losing touch with reality during conversations with bots.
KCRW Los Angeles -
September 3, 2025
“I wasn’t surprised by the onslaught of responsiveness from brands, but a part of me just sort of sighed,” said Marcus Collins, clinical assistant professor of marketing, on the reaction of myriad companies to capitalize on the Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce engagement by offering well-wishes on social media and special online deals. “It comes to a place where it’s like, OK, there’s nothing sacred. It’s like we’re jumping on things to be opportunistic, not to contribute anything.”
National Public Radio -
September 3, 2025
“America may not be fully authoritarian, but by no means can we consider it to be a functioning democracy. There will be no announcement, no headline saying ‘America Not A Democracy.’ But if you are willing to look clear-eyed at the cumulative evidence, the inescapable conclusion is that our deeply held beliefs about American democracy no longer match our present reality,” wrote Don Moynihan, professor of public policy.
Substack -
September 2, 2025
“Each invention report we receive and every startup we launch represents a critical step in transforming publicly funded research into real-world impact that improves and even saves lives,” said Kelly Sexton, associate vice president for research for Innovation Partnerships and economic impact. Arthur Lupia, vice president for research and innovation, said, “University of Michigan researchers and faculty are … continually developing innovative ways to solve some of today’s greatest problems.”
Crain's Detroit Business -
September 2, 2025
“President Trump’s demand for a new Census that excludes undocumented immigrants is not just immoral and regressive, but unquestionably unconstitutional,” co-wrote Tyler Simko, assistant professor of political science. Ironically, “likely changes in apportionment from a new Census do not clearly benefit Republicans in the way that supporters might hope … a new Census would likely diminish political representation for Republican areas.”
The Hill -
September 2, 2025
The evolving online language of younger generations is often a repeat of words and phrases with little discernment about where they came from. “The internet is just one big gigantic seventh grade where you are looking for the coolest kid and you’re going to follow what they do without thinking real hard,” said Jessi Grieser, associate professor of linguistics.
Business Insider -
August 29, 2025
“Ultra-processed, highly rewarding foods have way more in common with a cigarette than they do with an apple or an orange or black beans,” said Ashley Gearhardt, professor of psychology, whose research shows that pizza, chocolate, cookies, chips, ice cream and french fries are among foods that trigger the most “addictive-like eating behaviors.”
NBC Today -
August 29, 2025
Research suggests having meals earlier in the day improves sleep quality and that eating closer to bedtime increases the time it takes to fall asleep. Erica Jansen, assistant professor of nutritional sciences, said it’s easier to associate eating with the daytime and nighttime with sleeping: “When you have a clearer separation between day and night, the brain has an easier time recognizing that it’s time for sleep.”
BBC
