We’ve been raised to believe that progress is a natural part of our evolving society. We march forward, not backward. But today in The Convesation Canada, Gerry Wright of McMaster University writes about his concerns on the lack of a “forward trajectory of progress in science and medicine,” specifically how there is an increasing threat to humankind in his area of expertise: antibiotics.

The “sexting” scandal involving MP Tony Clement is the focus of an interesting analysis by Clint Burnham of Simon Fraser University, who teaches a graduate course called “Digital Fantasy.” His take on the Clement saga: all texting is sexting.

Kevin Gosine of Brock University grew up in the Toronto neighbourhood of Regent Park, which is often the target of so-called law-and-order political candidates. But what politicians don’t realize is that research shows marginalized communities are marked by a profound sense of community, supportive social networks and resilience.

The recent midterm elections in the United States showed once again that Republicans did well in the parts of the country where coal is still king. Sandeep Pai and Hisham Zerriffi University of British Columbia have researched the political strength of coal communities and why they still have tremendous influence.

And finally…are you a member of the PTA at your kid’s school. If so, what’s the racial makeup of the membership? Carl James and Selom Chapman-Nyaho of York University shoot down the myth created by some public high school administrators and staff that working-class immigrant parents are disinterested and uninvolved in their children’s education.

Regards,