Dyson College of Arts and Sciences News

Dyson Communication and Media Studies Professor Adam Klein pens a widely circulated op-ed in The Conversation examining how today’s cultural icons, including global superstar Bad Bunny, have become vehicles for political expression and catalysts in broader ideological battles. He argues that the convergence of entertainment and political identity has turned artists into frontline actors in America’s intensifying culture wars.

In Newsday, Dyson Political Science Professor Laura Tamman questions whether Mayor Eric Adams can be trusted to do the right thing as his term winds down amid persistent allegations of corruption and self-dealing. She also joined NY1’s Inside City Hall with Errol Louis to analyze Mamdani’s early City Hall appointments and what they signal about his transition priorities.

Dyson Economics Professor Veronika Dolar speaks to PIX11 News about the escalating financial crisis facing seniors, noting that nearly half of Americans nearing retirement have no savings at all. She explains that soaring health-care and long-term-care costs are forcing older adults into untenable choices—especially those with chronic medical conditions—and warns that without meaningful policy action, the nation faces a severe retirement security crisis.

In Newsweek, Dyson Media & Communication Professor Heather Hayes explains why so-called “terrible” television shows—like the polarizing new Kim Kardashian drama—often become viral hits. Hayes attributes the phenomenon to “hate-watching,” in which viewers tune in less for enjoyment and more to mock the content, ultimately boosting visibility and streaming success.