After living in war-torn countries toppled by military coups, ASU’s Nicole Anderson is concerned about the future of U.S. democracy. And she’s taking action to preserve it.

A new year is traditionally a time for looking forward, but in these challenging times, it can be exhausting to stay hopeful about the future. For a dose of optimism, we asked researchers at ASU to share what gives them hope from within their research fields.

How can you fight misinformation on social media? What’s going on inside of volcanoes? How affectionate are you and why does it matter? How does science fiction influence technology? Our most popular stories show that our readers are widely curious. Read on if you are, too.

Being hopeful doesn’t just feel good — it can improve your health and relationships. ASU researchers explain how they study hope and share tips for unleashing its power in your own life.

Following the devastation of the Black Plague, the Renaissance was a period of intense creativity and social change. ASU experts share what we can learn from the past about our own emotions, language and pastimes, as well as how it might apply to our post-pandemic world.