For a generation of college students, 9/11 is history rather than memory.

As the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks approaches, most of today’s college students were not yet born when hijacked planes struck the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and a fourth crashed in Pennsylvania. At Florida State University, Professor of History Paul Renfro is helping students understand an event they did not experience firsthand but whose consequences have shaped much of their lives.

In his “U.S. in the 21st Century” course, Renfro uses firsthand accounts and online conversations from Sept. 11 to show students not only what happened, but how people experienced and made sense of the attacks in real time. Two important sources include the Columbia University 9/11 Oral History Project and the Metafilter community blog.

As the internet continued its rapid acceleration in 2001, Metafilter’s pioneering blog was flooded with user comments and speculation from the first moments of 9/11, offering a parallel to today’s social media world that also tends to circulate misinformation during extraordinary moments.

Renfro says these early-source documents and forums help to write historical events and understand real-time reaction.

“In that way, it’s not only a wonderful primary source document, it also kind of exemplifies how history is made, and how the first draft of history is written,” he said.

While there is no way for much of Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, to recollect the day, the aftermath is easier to understand. Renfro discusses how the memory of 9/11 has created broader foreign policy actions that are still felt today.

“I think that is where students kind of intervene, or they understand how that happened, because they do comprehend what the global war on terror has done; that’s something that has impacted their lives,” Renfro added. “As a single day, 9/11 is not something they’re going to be entirely familiar with.”

One of Renfro’s most salient points in educating his students about 9/11 is how national trauma can inform decision-making. He believes this is an outcome Gen Z can relate to based on traumatic events that have unfolded in recent years, referring to a history podcast he listens to that defines the immediate aftermath of 9/11 as a period of national psychosis.

“I think to a lot of students, that really resonates with them, not because they understand that feeling on a fundamental level, but they can see how that might happen,” Renfro said of nationwide terror. “That this fear and confusion can grip the country. That formula is something I really want them to understand, and I think they start to get it when they see that national trauma can sadly open the door for more trauma.”

Media interested in interviewing FSU Professor of History Paul Renfro on the path to 9/11 education for Gen Z can reach out to him via email at prenfro@fsu.edu.

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The phenomenon of transforming a college dorm room into a personalized living space has flooded social media, creating a flourishing market driven by fervent online communities. Behind the viral #DormTok trend lies masked benefits and consequences that go beyond remaking an Instagram-worthy room.

In a 2023 study published in “Anxiety, Stress, & Coping,” research showed students whose dorm rooms were less aligned with their ideal vision of a living space reported more depressive and anxiety symptoms and lower overall well-being. The closer a student’s living space matches their desired environment, the better their mental health outcomes tended to be.

Florida State University’s Stephanie Sickler, an associate professor at the FSU School of Design, centers her work on student success in design education and beyond. According to Sickler, personalizing living spaces on campus have both positive and negative consequences for mental and emotional health.

“Personalization of space creates a supportive environment that can be restorative in times of need and activating in times of growth,” Sickler said. “Students benefit when their private spaces are enhanced even in small ways. However, elaborate decorative dorm room appointments can quickly become weaponized as a delineator of perceived worth and value among campus housing residents when the disparity between individual spaces is as vast as the examples being promoted in the media.”

Sickler adds that students may take great pride in portraying a strong personal self-image in how they appoint their space. However, social media can contribute to them feeling like they cannot keep up with the aesthetics required for perceived acceptance, creating a lack of self-esteem.

Sickler, a recent inductee into the Council of Fellows of the Interior Design Educators Council, says research shows that redesigned living spaces can still be correlated to student success because of important predictors like having a campus community to identify with and living at least one year in campus housing.

“Students electing to live on campus are already ahead of their peers as it pertains to their chance for student success,” Sickler added. “Possessions are an important component to protecting one’s sense of self — an aspect students are building afresh with their start to college. Studies have shown that students’ well-being is positively influenced by their ability to personalize their private spaces with possessions that have value to them.”

Media interested in understanding how dorm room redesigns affect student mental health may reach out to FSU School of Design Associate Professor Stephanie Sickler via email at ssickler@fsu.edu.

Stephanie Sickler, associate professor, Florida State University School of Design

What are some of the most impactful design shifts — from a standard university dorm room to a customized living space — that you notice often in these dorm room makeovers? How can these redesigns benefit students?

“Standard campus housing provides furniture for students and a standard window covering such as mini blinds. Students only need to bring bedding, clothing and personal belongings to be able to move into their room. Highly customized spaces now include features such as upholstered headboards, window treatments, custom bedding, rugs and specialized furniture items such as upholstered ottomans and convertible chairs. These items, while beautiful, are luxury items used in private residences. Including them in a dorm room may make certain students feel more at home, if they have such features in their family home, but at the same time creates a false sense of what the world may be like when they graduate.”

“Custom soft goods vary greatly in cost, and since many are only used in the dorm for one year before students move to off campus housing or another residence hall, the expense is high for such a temporary housing scenario. That said, the soft headboard may make it more comfortable for a user to sit and study or watch tv in bed. Window treatments may offer better light control and sound insulation. Soft furniture may make it more comfortable to gather with friends in the room.”

“Some proponents of the trend have posited that students will no longer be using their dorm rooms for the live-work-sleep scenario as before, which seems a waste of the curated features. If the goal is to personalize the space to the point that the student feels they are back at home, it doesn’t make sense to never spend any time in the luxury space that was curated.”

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It can happen in fields, restaurants, hotels and construction sites — a type of human trafficking often hiding in plain sight and receiving far less media coverage.

Labor trafficking is a human rights violation in which individuals are forced to perform labor or services through force, fraud or coercion. The National Human Trafficking Hotline identifies examples including domestic workers forced to work in homes, farmworkers coerced through violence as they harvest crops or factory workers held in inhumane conditions with little to no pay. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 27.6 million people were victims of human trafficking in 2021, with 77 percent of them subjected to forced labor.

Florida State University’s Terry Coonan is the executive director of the FSU Center for the Advancement of Human Rights (CAHR), which focuses on human rights education, student field placements and pro bono legal advocacy for vulnerable populations. According to Coonan, labor trafficking is often overlooked because it can be difficult to recognize, investigate and explain to the public.

“Labor trafficking is vastly underrepresented in media coverage,” Coonan said. “Forced labor is harder to see; it hides in plain sight in legitimate industries. Forced labor is harder to investigate; it can require more law enforcement resources over extended periods of time. And forced labor may be harder to convey as a compelling victim story, in comparison to sex trafficking.”

CAHR has provided legal assistance to victims of labor trafficking exploited in Florida agriculture, hotels, golf resorts, restaurants, roofing industries as well as in private homes.

Coonan said forced labor can often occur in industries that rely on subcontracting, with companies hiring outside crews to perform work such as harvesting crops or providing cleaning services.

“What we’ve seen are subcontractors that can submit a low bid because they are exploiting forced labor in their work crews,” Coonan said. “Often the corporation does not know — or chooses not to know — that their profits are the result of labor trafficking by their subcontractors.”

Although forced labor accounts for most human trafficking cases worldwide, a 2016 study in the Journal of Human Trafficking found it appeared in only about 11% of trafficking-related media coverage. Media interested in understanding how labor trafficking can be difficult to spot and why it’s underrepresented in daily coverage may contact Terry Coonan via email at tcoonan@fsu.edu.

Terry Coonan, executive director of the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights, Florida State University

While cases often involve subcontractors, what are some examples of labor trafficking that fall outside that scope?

“Here in Florida, we’ve also seen labor trafficking in cases that don’t involve subcontractors. These have included forced labor committed by traveling sales crews, by religious organizations and by private citizens who exploit women or children as house slaves.”

What are some of the most effective ways for these corporate supply chains that use child labor to be held accountable?

“We continue to see children exploited worldwide by corporations that rely on sweatshop labor, cocoa harvesting and cobalt mining. We’ve learned that far more is needed than voluntary codes of corporate conduct. What is really required is mandatory supply chain diligence and supply chain transparency by corporations. Countries like the United States have historically banned the importation of goods that are produced by slave labor, and that is important to continue enforcing.”

“Finally, and importantly, people should make very informed choices about where we spend our consumer dollars. Avoid fast fashion, cosmetics, chocolate or sports products that may have been produced by illegal child labor. Check company websites to see what they are doing to eliminate child labor or forced labor in their supply chains. Be selective about the brands you purchase.”

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After six years of raising their family in California, the next chapter for Prince Harry and Meghan includes returning to the U.K. for an extended period at a non-royal residence. Their six-year estrangement from the Royal Family — and the possibility of reconciliation — reflect dynamics that are relatable to many non-royal families.

Family estrangement is becoming common in American families. Last year, a YouGov poll found that 38% of Americans adults say they are currently estranged from either a sibling, a parent, a child, a grandparent or a grandchild. Included in that poll, which surveyed 4,395 U.S. adult citizens, 16% of respondents said they are currently estranged from a parent.

Florida State University’s Nari Jeter is a licensed marriage and family therapist and an associate teaching professor in human development and family science. She has become a nationally recognized relationship expert who has been featured in USA Today, Newsweek, SELF Magazine, HuffPost, Fox News and more.

In 2020, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’ estrangement from the Royal Family began due to several factors, including lack of palace support and constraints within the family that led to their decision to leave for the United States. According to Jeter, family dynamics where there is disagreement are relatable to families outside the spotlight.

“What’s especially familiar is the in-law dynamic,” Jeter said. “When a family doesn’t fully welcome a new partner, the person in the middle feels torn — to protect their spouse and translate actions on both sides. Often, that person feels like they can never win and keep both sides content, so they give up. This is where estrangement follows; it’s a way of reducing the immediate conflict within them and their family.”

Within the same YouGov Poll, individuals estranged from a child (70%) or grandchild (66%) were more likely to say they would consider reconciling with their family member. For Prince Harry, he remains estranged from his brother, William — The Prince of Wales. The Sussexes are expected to remain private citizens while in the U.K. However, there is a possibility of healing the family rift with his father, King Charles III.

The pathway to reconciliation, according to Jeter, often begins with humility and acceptance.

“Most reconciliation that I’ve seen starts with someone recognizing that wanting to be ‘right’ isn’t working,” Jeter said. “There is humility in recognizing that they could have done some things wrong or hurtful, even unintentionally. They don’t completely give up their views, but they accept that the other person can see things differently and it doesn’t have to be a threat to the relationship.”

Media interested in understanding family estrangement and reconciliation through the lens of the Royal Family may reach out to Nari Jeter via email at nari.jeter@fsu.edu.

Nari Jeter, licensed marriage and family therapist, Florida State University

Family estrangements involving notable figures can be quite different from everyday situations because they play out in front of the public. But in a situation like the Royal Family, what are some relatable concepts?

“It’s a common story that one person decides to step away from the family they come from to protect the family they made. That’s a pattern I see in my office every week. This kind of estrangement typically doesn’t come from one single blow-up, but from many moments where someone doesn’t feel seen, heard, or respected when it comes to their new family boundaries. This is especially true when that family member feels pressure to choose between being loyal to themselves (and their new family) or the family they come from.”

“Contrary to popular belief, estrangement isn’t about an absence of love. Many people who are cut off from their families feel grief, sadness and longing long after estrangement happened. Estrangement happens when love doesn’t feel safe, protected and respected.”

The pathway to reconciliation can be a long process. When you see families reconcile, what are some of the things that often lead to that final step?

“Another step usually comes with an apology or acknowledgement without justification or excuses. This is where emotional validation goes a long way. “I’m sorry I hurt you” or “I can tell I really disappointed you” isn’t an agreement on how they saw it, but it’s recognizing impact. People feel seen and heard when we accept their feelings. Most estranged family members aren’t looking for grand acts in reconciliation. One good apology or acknowledgement can really push the door open to reconnection.”

“Lastly, it’s common to see a significant life event cracking the door open: family sickness, a wedding, a birth, a death. Time and separation won’t heal estrangement, but an event that brings shared purpose or meaning to the family can motivate families to try. It’s important to not jump back into old roles and routines. Family members need to clearly communicate what wasn’t working before and talk about new expectations and boundaries. Small, sustainable, successful changes are the target. Short visits and weekly phone chats are a good starting point to rebuilding trust and connection. Reconciliation takes effort on both sides. It requires grace and humility, and the ability to see past our own hurts to the landscape of someone else’s life.”

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As GLP-1 drugs become increasingly common for weight loss, researchers are beginning to examine what these medications may reveal about eating behavior beyond the scale, including why some people experience persistent urges to binge.

Florida State University’s Pamela Keel, the Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of Psychology, has developed emerging research suggesting GLP-1 drugs may help reduce binge-eating symptoms in some patients by addressing a biological factor rather than simply targeting willpower or behavior.

Keel led the research team whose work last summer established that overlooked biological components in bulimia could be targeted by FDA-approved treatments for Type 2 diabetes. Their research concluded that in addition to targeting psychological factors in treatment, screening patients for biological conditions like high weight suppression — the difference between highest and current body weight — can help clinicians identify who might benefit most from GLP-1s.

The finding could help explain why certain patients experience improvements in bingeing when treated with GLP-1 drugs, and why binge eating should not be framed simply as a lack of self-control.

“Most treatments for eating disorders focus on psychological factors,” Keel said. “Our much-needed research allows clinicians to better understand what biological factors to target when treating patients with eating disorders.”

Keel’s study recently gained attention in the Wall Street Journal for a feature on how GLP-1s assisted one person who was battling bulimia — an illness marked by uncontrolled episodes of bingeing and purging. The article highlighted the research team’s finding that some people with bulimia experience a reduced release of the body’s natural GLP-1 hormone after eating — the same hormone these drugs are designed to mimic. The finding suggests that the persistent urge to binge may stem not from psychological weakness, but from a measurable hormonal deficit that medication could help address.

Keel, who conducts translational research in eating disorders, confirmed that her research provides a possible pathway for bingeing improvements for some individuals targeted with GLP-1s.

“These findings suggest that GLP-1 drugs might help some women stop bingeing by correcting problems with lower GLP-1 release while eating,” Keel said.

“These findings suggest that GLP-1 drugs might help some women stop bingeing by correcting problems with lower GLP-1 release while eating.”

– Pamela Keel, Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of Psychology

A recent Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index shows the percentage of U.S. adults currently taking GLP-1s for weight loss has risen to 11% in 2026. Keel’s emerging research supports studies testing GLP-1s for their potential efficacy in individuals with bulimia and related syndromes.

Media interested in learning more about Keel’s research and its importance in navigating treatments for eating disorders may reach out to her via email at keel@psy.fsu.edu.

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Returning to work before breastfeeding is fully established presents an enormous challenge for mothers, according to Florida State University researcher and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Mirine Richey. As National Breastfeeding Month highlights the benefits of breastfeeding for infants and mothers, Richey says workplace policies can play a critical role in whether mothers are able to meet their breastfeeding goals.

Richey, a faculty member at the FSU Center for Prevention & Early Intervention Policy, has presented at state and national conferences and served as an international delegate to the World Health Organization, where she discussed infant formula market regulations and breastfeeding protection. She says many U.S. workplace and parental leave policies can make it harder for mothers to continue breastfeeding by disrupting pumping schedules, reducing milk supply and increasing stress.

“We spend a lot of time telling women that breastfeeding is important,” Richey said. “What we don’t do is provide enough support to help them reach their goals.”

While public health campaigns consistently promote the benefits of breastfeeding, many mothers return to work within weeks of giving birth. The early postpartum period is critical for establishing and maintaining milk supply, which depends on frequent breastfeeding or pumping. When mothers face demanding schedules, inadequate break time, limited privacy or insufficient workplace accommodations, maintaining that supply can become increasingly difficult.

“Milk-supply hormones can take six to eight weeks to reach their optimal levels, and this is done by feeding the baby every two to three hours,” Richey said. “Women who return to work during this time may not be able to pump this often due to workplace policy or just career concerns.”

The challenges are not only physical. Richey says workplace policies can affect maternal mental health. Many women feel pressure to provide breast milk because of its well-documented benefits. When work responsibilities interfere with breastfeeding goals, mothers often experience guilt, stress and feelings of failure. Mothers who work in extremely demanding fields, such as emergency workers and first responders, are often faced with an even greater burden.

Richey says healthcare providers need more training to help mothers navigate workplace challenges related to breastfeeding.

“Healthcare providers need more training to help care plan for women with unique workplace challenges, especially when returning to work in the first six months when baby is recommended to have only breast milk,” she added.

Richey can discuss how early return-to-work policies affect breastfeeding outcomes, the relationship between stress and milk supply, maternal mental health challenges during the postpartum period, and the workplace policies that can better support mothers and babies. She can be reached via email at m.richey@fsu.edu.

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The rise of pickleball has been rapid, growing in popularity since the pandemic. While the game is mostly promoted for its physical benefits in older adults, its greatest effect is shown in the social connections it builds.

According to the National Poll on Healthy Aging conducted by the University of Michigan and the AARP, 1 in 3 adults aged 50 to 80 reported feeling lonely or lacking companionship some of the time or often. Now known as a public health risk, loneliness is defined as the feeling that results from a perceived gap between a person’s desired social connections and their actual relationships.

Distinct from loneliness is the other public health risk of social isolation — an objective lack of social connections, encompassing few social roles, infrequent interactions and minimal participation in community activities. Further examinations on social connection point to both loneliness and social isolation in older adults presenting a major risk for premature mortality.

Florida State University’s Amy Chan Hyung Kim is an associate professor in the Department of Sport Management whose research focuses on promoting sport for health from a social epidemiological perspective. Of her many research projects, Kim has worked exclusively with the United States of America Pickleball Association and has produced research on pickleball’s benefits for retirees in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity.

While noting all the physical benefits of pickleball, from improved strength to cardiovascular health, Kim believes the less obvious one comes from a cognitive angle.

“Research has shown that playing pickleball strengthens older adults’ social connections and sense of community while reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation,” Kim said. “Part of this comes down to the court itself, which is considerably smaller than a tennis court and keeps players close enough to talk easily with partners and opponents throughout a match/rallies. This sets pickleball apart from activities such as running or walking alone, which improve fitness but rarely bring people together in the same way.”

An advocate for expanding the sport’s growth, Kim believes the solution to continued momentum is accessibility.

“The more durable path is a network of accessible courts and welcoming local programs that make it easy for anyone to pick up a paddle and stay with it,” Kim added. “Court access remains the single largest barrier, as many communities still rely on tennis courts marked with temporary lines or a handful of public courts that fill up before most people arrive. Dedicated courts, whether built from scratch or converted from underused facilities, would do more than any advertising campaign to sustain growth. Beyond facilities, the next step is to make the game welcoming to people who assume it is not for them, including younger adults, families and those who have never considered themselves athletic.”

To learn more about how pickleball bridges much-needed social connections in older adults, as well as how the sport has grown in popularity, media may reach associate professor Amy Chan Hyung Kim via email at kamy@fsu.edu.

Amy Chan Hyung Kim, associate professor, Department of Sport Management

How does the setup of a pickleball court help in building social connections?

The format of the game reinforces a sense of closeness, since players can rotate partners, share courts and often stay to talk long after the last point. These social connections, in turn, are closely tied to better mental health and psychological well-being, with studies reporting lower levels of depression, stress and anxiety among regular players, along with greater happiness and life satisfaction. For older adults, the combination of movement and companionship may be the most valuable aspect of playing pickleball.

While it’s clear that the benefits outweigh the negatives, what are some things older adults should be weary of when playing pickleball?

Injuries are the most common concern, particularly strains and sprains of the ankle, knee, shoulder and Achilles tendon, which often occur when players lunge or backpedal for the ball rather than letting it go. Falls deserve special attention as well, since a single fall can lead to a fracture that takes months to recover from. Footwear helps guard against both, and proper court shoes are worth the investment because running shoes are built for forward motion and offer little support during the side-to-side movement the game demands. Heat is another factor, especially in Florida, where playing in the middle of the day can lead to dehydration or heat exhaustion. Sunscreen matters just as much for anyone playing outdoors, since regular sun exposure over time raises the risk of skin damage and skin cancer. Finally, older adults managing heart conditions, joint replacements or balance problems should talk with their physician before starting, not to be discouraged from playing, but to set sensible limits. With a warm-up, appropriate footwear, sensible pacing and attention to the body’s signals, most of these concerns can be managed rather than avoided.

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As wildfire smoke spreads across parts of Canada and the United States, Florida State University experts are available to discuss the conditions fueling the fires, the risks to communities and the science behind wildfire response.

Extreme heat, below-average rainfall and dry vegetation have accelerated wildfire activity in Canada, sending intense smoke south across the border and into the Northeastern and Upper Midwestern United States. While wildfires are common in Canada, a heat dome in late June has increased the number of outbreaks. Nearly 950 active wildfires are burning according to the Government of Canada’s National wildland fire summary.

Simultaneously, an active wildfire season has taken place in the U.S. Close to 40,000 fires have burned through more than 3.6 million acres in 2026 — above-average activity for mid-July. A USA Today analysis of Monitoring Trends in Burn Severity (MTBS) data shows that by the early 2020s, the average annual acres burned in the U.S. had nearly tripled compared to the 1990s.

Reporters seeking expert insight may contact the FSU faculty members listed below. Their expertise is organized by topic to help media quickly identify sources on fire modeling, disaster response, firefighter safety and catastrophic risk financing.

Fire modeling

Kevin Speer, former Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Institute (GFDI) director and professor of scientific computing

• Email: kspeer@fsu.edu
• Speer is an expert in climate change, from global ocean circulation to the dynamics of hydrothermal plumes. Recently retired, he served as director of the GFDI from 2011 to 2026 and was a leading expert on the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires.

Disaster response

Yushun Dong, assistant professor of computer science

• Email: yushun.dong@fsu.edu
• Dong is part of FSU’s Resilient Infrastructure & Disaster Response Center (RIDER). As head of the Responsible AI Lab, Dong is leading a team working on a publicly available data-driven platform of U.S. nationwide wildfires empowered by AI technologies. 

Firefighter safety

Meredith McQuerry, director of the ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab

• Email: mmcquerry@jmc.fsu.edu
• McQuerry’s research uses the functional design process to engineer better performing protective clothing for first responders, military personnel, healthcare workers, and athletes. She tackles personal protective equipment (PPE) issues that many firefighters face, ranging from improper fit, reduced mobility, overexertion/heat strain, poor material durability, and gear maintenance. Her work published the first study on wildland firefighter PPE cleaning habits, informing the first edition of NFPA 1877. 

Catastrophic risk financing

Charles Nyce, professor and Florida Surplus Lines Insurance director, Risk Management & Insurance Center

• Email: cnyce@wertheim.fsu.edu
• Nyce has authored numerous articles on risk management and insurance topics, including title insurance, IPOs, enterprise risk management, predictive analytics and natural hazards. He is a leading insurance expert on catastrophic risk financing and one of the nation’s top voices when it comes to insurance topics related to natural disasters.

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As Space Exploration Day approaches on July 20, global space agencies are advancing technologies that make discovery cheaper and safer. Still, human space exploration continues to capture the public’s imagination.

In 2018, the Pew Research Center conducted a study showing that 58% of adults feel human astronauts are essential to the future of the U.S. Space Program. The findings highlight the current dilemma faced in modern space exploration: balancing the efficient reality of robotic exploration against the cultural demand for a human presence.

Florida State University Professor of History Ronald E. Doel is a historian of science who has written about the history of planetary and space exploration. He has appeared in several media outlets, including C-SPAN, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Space.com and more.

Doel affirms that space missions involving humans invite a certain romanticism that robotics technology cannot duplicate.

“Space missions lacking human crews do not create strong memories or emotional connections, even if robotic missions have yielded much of what we now know about the Earth and other planets and moons in the solar system,” Doel said.

Robotic landers and rovers have become essential tools for collecting planetary data. But Doel argues that crewed missions offer something machines cannot fully replicate: a human perspective that helps audiences connect with unfamiliar worlds.

“Crewed missions offer audiences a different kind of understanding of foreign places – emotions and insights that are understandable in ways that scientific data is not,” Doel added. “There are times when the human eye can do better than available instruments to discern sudden, brief, discrete changes. Sketches of planetary features from the 19th century until quite recently that were done by humans using telescope eyepieces could capture more detail than photographs, since the eye could discern features that momentarily became visible in instances of remarkable atmospheric stability and stillness. Certain NASA leaders still believe humans can do science in ways that machines cannot.”

Media interested in interviewing professor Ronald E. Doel on the cultural demand for human space exploration in a world of advancing robotics may reach out to him via email at rdoel@fsu.edu.

Ronald E. Doel, professor of history, College of Arts and Sciences

With how much technology has advanced, sending a rover to space would likely be more efficient financially and far more risk averse. But the human element of space exploration remains so important, especially to the public. Why does sending humans to space remain so important despite the advancements we’ve made?

What do Americans know about space exploration? Ask many citizens, and they can describe and tell stories about the Apollo lunar landings and the space shuttle program. They are aware that an International Space Station is orbiting the earth with human beings on board. Older Americans can recall where they were, and how they felt, when Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon in July 1969, and when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded soon after liftoff in January 1986.

But ask about exploration of our solar system by unmanned robotic spacecraft – one of the major achievements of the 20th century into our own time – and many people draw blanks. Some are aware in general terms that spacecraft have visited Venus and Mars, and that probes reached planets in the outer solar system. Yet compared to familiarity with manned space missions, few Americans are familiar with the Viking, Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance landers and rovers on Mars, the Voyager mission of the 1970s and 1980s that visited Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, or the New Horizons exploration of Pluto in 2016. Fewer still know that a robotic lander parachuted through the thick atmosphere of Saturn’s largest moon Titan in 2005, photographing mountains, branching channels and dry riverbeds.

The Space Race captured the public’s attention while taking massive physical risks during the Cold War. As robotics continues to accelerate, and possibly handle more missions that humans once did, could this ultimately dull the excitement of space exploration?

It’s certainly possible. Even the novelty of humans flying to the moon wore off after the initial lunar landings (Apollo 11 and Apollo 12). When Apollo 13 flew towards the moon in April 1970, the major television networks of the time did not broadcast the early live telecast its astronauts beamed back to Earth – going to the moon had become routine. The subsequent oxygen tank explosion that ended the planned Apollo 13 landing and threatened the lives of its three astronauts did generate intense public interest, but this was a story of a possible shipwreck unfolding in real time – not a typical space mission.

When I teach “Space: A History,” I ask my students to informally interview a grandparent (or someone a few generations earlier) to share their memories of space missions. Their reports confirm a much greater familiarity with crewed space fights compared to robotic planetary missions (although some awareness of robotic probes was evident). A familiar response my students received – on robotic explorations – was ‘I heard something about this but didn’t follow it.’ 

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Following the U.S. Men’s National Team’s (USMNT) recent World Cup exit, Florida State University coaching expert and former FIFA-certified referee Tim Baghurst says the tournament highlighted longstanding challenges in the nation’s youth soccer development system.

Baghurst directs the FSU Center for Athletic Coaching (FSU COACH), which prepares coaches and sports professionals at all levels. The USMNT’s run to the Round of 16, including its first knockout-stage win since 2002, energized soccer fans across the country. But the team’s 4-1 loss to Belgium also renewed debate about whether the U.S. youth soccer development system is limiting the country’s ability to compete with the world’s best.

Baghurst’s research examines health modeling in sport, stress and burnout in coaching and methods for coach evaluation and certification. He argues that improving youth soccer in the U.S. requires stronger physical education programs and more accessible recreational sports for teens, not just changes at the elite club level.

“The quantity and quality of physical education programming, combined with a lack of recreational sports for teenagers, are forcing youth and parents to choose and specialize in a sport far too soon,” Baghurst said.

Baghurst said one consequence is the country’s growing reliance on expensive club soccer, which can limit who gets access to meaningful development opportunities.

“In the U.S., there has been a systematic shift away from high school soccer toward club-based play,” he said. “This is in part due to the quest to seek ‘better competition’ or be seen by college scouts. Club soccer in the U.S. is more of a pay-to-play system than European models.”

Media interested in speaking with Baghurst about the U.S. youth soccer development system can contact him at tbaghurst@fsu.edu.

Tim Baghurst, FSU COACH Director, Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences

In the U.S., youth soccer is more of a pay-to-play product, while in Europe, professional clubs tend to fund development. Can this difference tend to drain the talent pool in the U.S.?

Yes. In Europe, youth are often recruited to professional academies, many of which are funded by professional clubs, with parents not paying. Professional clubs view the cost as a potential investment in their future, recognizing that emerging talent could contribute to their adult teams or even be sold to another team for significant profit. Conversely, in the U.S., participation is often limited to those parents who can afford the costs. This can also weaken the talent pool, as clubs are incentivized to keep players on their teams regardless of their skill level or potential, because fewer players mean less revenue. 

How can both youth physical education and recreational opportunities be modified to enhance youth development in soccer in the U.S.?

As a former physical education professor and teacher who has taught abroad, I’m well aware that there isn’t enough quality physical education in U.S. schools compared to other nations. Physical education is made optional for students in many states far too early, despite evidence of its long-term benefits for health and academic success. 

Second, by the end of middle school, recreational sports for youth are an afterthought in most communities. By then, it is expected that they know which sport they are good at and are competing for their school and club teams, often both. If a child has not shown promise by the end of middle school, there is little chance they will have opportunities to develop those skills in a recreational setting unless participating in adult leagues. Without opportunities to learn with other recreational-level players their own age, it is unlikely a high school-aged athlete will ever learn a new sport, even if it is the one they are most suited to. 

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Staying fit can become more challenging as you enter your 40s, when natural biological changes begin to affect muscle mass, metabolism and more.

A massive Swedish study that tracked participants for nearly 50 years found that fitness, strength and muscle endurance begin declining around age 35. But the study also found that adults who became active later in life improved their physical performance by 10%.

Michael Ormsbee, director of the Florida State University Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine (ISSM), is one of the nation’s top nutrition experts. He has appeared in numerous interviews sharing his expertise on topics that range from nighttime pre-sleep feeding strategies, the importance of protein, maximizing human performance, metabolic health and more.

Ormsbee says people don’t need to abandon workout routines that served them well in their 20s and 30s. They simply need to adjust them as they age.

“I don’t think you need a completely different playbook. You just need to be a little smarter about how you apply it,” Ormsbee said. “One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking they must train harder as they get older. In my experience, most people in their 40s are not overtrained. They’re under-recovered.”

The key, Ormsbee said, isn’t doing more. It’s recovering better and being more intentional about the habits that support long-term strength and health.

“Recovery starts to matter more,” Ormsbee emphasized. “Your body can absolutely adapt and get stronger, but you must give it the resources to do that. The fundamentals really don’t change. Strength training is still one of the best things you can do. Aerobic fitness is still incredibly important. Protein still matters. Sleep is still king.”

Media interested in interviewing ISSM Director Michael Ormsbee about ways to stay fit through your 40s and later may reach out to him via email at mormsbee@fsu.edu.

Michael Ormsbee, FSU Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine Director, Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences

Does your body require a different type of training/dietary regimen as you age in your 40s?

What changes is how intentional you must be. If you’re sleeping six hours a night, skimping on protein, always rushing from one thing to the next, and trying to train like you did at 25, eventually that’s going to catch up with you. I’d rather see someone train consistently, recover well and stay healthy for years than go all out for a few months and end up injured or burned out.

What would be three of the most critical pieces of advice for those looking to stay in shape and live a healthy lifestyle in their 40s?

First, make recovery part of the plan. Exercise is the stimulus. Recovery is where your body actually adapts. Everyone wants to know about the latest recovery gadget, but the biggest wins are still the basics. Get enough sleep. Eat enough calories and protein. Stay hydrated. Plan recovery weeks when needed. Keep moving on your off days. Manage stress. Those simple habits consistently outperform the flashy stuff.

Second, don’t stop lifting weights. As we get older, maintaining muscle becomes one of the most important things we can do for our health. Muscle supports metabolism, bone health, physical function, and helps you stay active as you age. You don’t have to train like a competitive athlete, but you should challenge your muscles a few times each week. It’s one of the best investments you can make in your future. You don’t stop moving because you get old, you get old because you stop moving.

Third, stop chasing perfection and focus on consistency. Health is built from what you do most of the time, not what you do once in a while. You don’t need the perfect workout or the perfect diet. You need habits you can stick with for years. A few quality workouts each week, enough protein, good sleep, and staying active will beat the all-or-nothing approach every time.

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Shark Awareness Day, observed every year on July 14, encourages a better understanding of sharks and the important role they play in healthy marine ecosystems.

Summer fears often focus on shark attacks instead of far more common dangers such as rip currents, extreme heat or even dehydration. On average, shark attacks cause one to two fatalities nationally per year, while rip currents result in more than 100 annual deaths and heat-related illnesses contribute to nearly 2,400 deaths each year, according to 2023 data from the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Florida State University Associate Professor of Psychology David March studies threat perception, or how people judge and respond to danger. He leads the March Research Laboratory that examines how automatic and deliberate thinking shape perception, decision making and behavior. March says people naturally process dramatic events such as shark attacks differently than more common but less visible dangers, shaping how they think about risk before they ever step onto the beach.

“There is an evolved bias toward acute, identifiable physical threats,” March said. “A shark is a clear and imaginable agent of harm. It has teeth, movement, intentional behavior and the capacity to cause immediate bodily harm. In contrast, rip currents and dehydration are more diffuse, gradual and harder to visualize as ‘attackers.’ They do not fit the evolved threat prototype, even though they may be more dangerous in practical terms.”

That imbalance, March said, is especially clear among beachgoers who may understand the ocean more as a place of recreation than as a changing natural environment with less visible risks.

“Threat perception is not simply a response to objective danger. It is shaped by experience, attention, cultural messages and how easily a threat can be imagined,” March added. “For tourists, the beach may feel generally safe and recreational, while the most emotionally available danger is the shark. The result is misallocated fear, leading to vigilance toward the wrong threat and underpreparedness for the risks most likely to cause harm.”

Media interested in interviewing associate professor of psychology David March about the misplaced summer fears of shark attacks may reach out to him via email at march@psy.fsu.edu.

David March, associate professor, Florida State University Department of Psychology

Statistics show shark attacks are rare, yet rip currents and extreme heat claim far more lives. Why do so many people worry more about sharks at the beach?

Sensationalized news coverage contributes to an overperception of how often shark attacks occur. This reflects the availability heuristic: because shark attacks are dramatic and widely reported, examples of them come to mind easily, which makes them feel more common than they actually are. In contrast, dangers like rip currents or dehydration may be statistically more frequent, but they are less likely to receive the same kind of vivid media attention.

This availability effect is paired with the especially vivid and emotionally intense nature of shark attacks. The idea of being attacked by a large predator is easy to imagine, visually graphic, and associated with fear and pain. Those affective reactions can make the risk feel more immediate and serious, even when the actual probability is low. As a result, when someone is at the beach, they may become more vigilant about signs of sharks than about less dramatic but more likely dangers.

Together, media sensationalism, availability, vivid affect, and evolved sensitivity to acute predators prepare us to overperceive the risk of shark attacks, leading to greater concern that is oversized relative to the actual danger. This is especially the case when we are at the place where such a threat may occur.

One behavioral data point suggests that a large portion of rip current fatality victims are out-of-state tourists — many who visit beaches more for leisure. How much does mindset play a role in these types of fatalities, and how does this tie into threat perception overall?

Experience likely plays an important role because it shapes both how people approach the beach and which threats they know how to recognize. Tourists with less regular beach exposure may see the beach primarily as a leisure setting rather than a dynamic natural environment with changing surf, currents, heat and other hazards. They also have fewer ordinary, uneventful beach experiences to counter the cultural narrative that sharks are the major ocean danger. At the same time, they may be less familiar with rip currents, less likely to recognize their warning signs, and less likely to have encountered public messaging that treats them as a serious threat. This stacks the deck toward underperceiving common but less vivid dangers while overperceiving dramatic but rare ones.”

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