A&S scholars sharing their expertise in the media

From a new partnership with Harvard to a groundbreaking telescope’s first images, experts from a range of disciplines across the Faculty of Arts & Science are sharing their expertise on a variety of issues in the media.

Here’s some of what they had to say this week

June 27

• Department of History assistant professor Lilia Topouzova talks to CBC: Ideas about her work documenting the stories of people who survived Bulgaria’s Gulag.
• The Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy receives coverage for its partnership with the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, with comments from Janice Stein, founding director of the Munk School The New York Times (paywall), Reuters, Al Jazeera online, Xinhua news agency, The Guardian, The Times of India (paywall), Inside Higher Ed (paywall), Straits Times, Economic Times India, Indian Express, CTV News, Global News, CBC News online, Toronto Star (paywall), FOX online, Newsweek, Forbes, Global online, CTV News online and The Logic (paywall).
• Department of Computer Science University Professor Emeritus Geoffrey Hinton debates the future of AI with alum Nick Frosst at Toronto Tech Week as reported by The Logic (paywall).   
• Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy distinguished fellow Peter Warrian writes in the Hamilton Spectator (paywall) about what’s next for Canada’s steel industry.

June 28

• In The New York Times (paywall), Timothy Snyder discusses his new course on authoritarianism, Brian Rathbun and Nina Srinivasan Rathbun share why they moved to Toronto from California, and founding director Janice Stein comments on the recruitment of U.S. academics, with mention of Marci Shore and Jason Stanley, all of the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy.
• Department of Philosophy professor Mark Kingwell advises Toronto Star (paywall) readers on cottage guest etiquette and getting involved in family matters.

June 29

• Ensuring a successor in new U of T president Melanie Woodin was one of his most important tasks, Meric Gertler says as he reflects on the end of his presidency, with The Globe and Mail (paywall).

July 2

• The School of Cities — led by Department of Geography & Planning professor and School of Cities director Karen Chapple — partners with four universities to advance human-focused urban research, as reported by the Straits Times.

July 3

• Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy affiliated faculty Aurel Braun discusses on Maclean’s video Canada’s defence spending.
• Department of Philosophy professor Mark Kingwell writes in the Toronto Star (paywall) about the ethics behind giving advice.
• Victoria College professor Ira Wells writes in The Walrus about Alberta’s book ban.
• Department of Geography & Planning professor and School of Cities director Karen Chapple comments for the Toronto Star (paywall) on multiplex buildings in Toronto.

July 4

• Department of Political Science professor and director of the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy’s Citizen Lab Ron Deibert writes in The Globe and Mail (paywall) about Canada’s stance on transnational repression, with mention of Citizen Lab senior research associate Kate Robertson.
• Department of English professor and provostial advisor on civil discourse Randy Boyagoda writes in The Walrus about Pope Leo XIV’s stance on AI and discusses the differences between Canadian and American patriotism.

July 5

• Department of Computer Science professor Daniel Wigdor talks to the Toronto Star (paywall) about how AI will reshape the workplace.

July 7

• Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy senior fellow John Ibbitson writes in The Globe and Mail (paywall) about Ontario’s economy.

July 8

• Citizen Lab researchers of the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy document attempts to impersonate U.S. diplomats using AI, as reported by CNN online.
• Department of Geography & Planning professor and School of Cities director Karen Chapple The Globe and Mail (paywall) shares downtown recovery data.

July 9

• Department of Geography & Planning professor Deborah Cowen writes in The Globe and Mail (paywall) about Canada’s support of Palestinians.
• Department of Anthropology PhD candidate Walter Callaghan talks to Bell Media radio about the RCMP uncovering an alleged “anti-government militia” in Quebec.

July 10

• Department of Computer Science professor Daniel Wigdor talks to BNN Bloomberg online and BNN Bloomberg: The Street about how he aims to advance AI commercialization in Canada through his venture studio, AXL.
• Department of Philosophy professor Mark Kingwell advises Toronto Star (paywall) readers on parking lot accidents and the meaning of being “too nice.”
• Department of History associate professor Rebecca Woods explains on Global radio the science community’s fascination with the woolly mammoth.
• David A. Dunlap Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics PhD candidate Ethen Sun discusses with the Toronto Star (paywall) factors that impact the Earth’s rotational speed.

July 11, 2025

• Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy professor Drew Fagan discusses on BNN Bloomberg: The Open the latest tariffs on Canadian goods.
• Department of Economics professor Joseph Steinberg comments for the Canadian Press on the latest tariffs on Canadian goods.
• Victoria College professor Ira Wells discusses with The Globe and Mail (paywall) and The Washington Post (paywall) censorship and his book, On Book Banning.

July 13, 2025

• Department of History PhD student Koby Song-Nichols shares with CBC: Sunday Magazine his research exploring archived restaurant menus.
• School of Cities adjunct professor and senior researcher Carolyn Whitzman discusses with CBC: Sunday Magazine and CBC News online real estate cooldown and affordable housing in Alberta.

July 14, 2025

• Department of Computer Science professor Daniel Wigdor talks to CP24 and Bell Media radio about his AI commercialization work.
• Department of Psychology professor Paul Bloom writes in The New Yorker (paywall) about AI’s role in solving loneliness.

July 15, 2025

• Department of Near & Middle Eastern Civilizations PhD candidate Jun Yi Wong shares with CNBC Indonesia his research on Queen Hatshepsut.
• Department of Sociology professor emeritus Robert Brym shares with The Globe and Mail (paywall) and the National Post (paywall) his survey on antisemitic incidents in schools.
• Department of Political Science professor and director of the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy’s Citizen Lab Ron Deibert talks to CBC: Click Here podcast about the lab’s mission to uncover the world of cyber espionage.

July 16, 2025

• Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy professor Drew Fagan discusses on CHCH News Canada’s plans for the steel industry.
• Centre for Industrial Relations & Human Resources professor Rafael Gomez comments for the Toronto Star (paywall) on Canada Post’s latest contract offer.
• Department of Philosophy professor Mark Kingwell advises Toronto Star (paywall) readers on the expectations of party hosts and guests.