National and Global Affairs

This page features national and global affairs news, as well as the latest research related to social justice and social science topics from across the Columbia campus.

In the News
A graphic design image of type-written letters, the words "Civil Rights," and a photo of a man with a hat

Office of Legal Counsel Opinions Illuminate Government Policy During Civil Rights Era

The Knight First Amendment Institute published for the first time a set of Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) memos pertaining to desegregation policies and civil rights law.

Sandra Black, economics professor, Columbia University
A Pioneering Economist Wants to Level the Playing Field

Professor Sandra Black works on research to help American society understand how to make the United States the land of opportunity for everyone, not just some.

 

 

Social impact Fellows, Columbia World Projects
Columbia World Projects Announces Inaugural Cohort of Social Impact Fellows

The Social Impact Fellowship is the first program to be launched by CWP as part of its Fourth Purpose Academy, a series of education and training opportunities for students and faculty to help advance human welfare and confront the great challenges of our time.

Abortion protest, Washington, DC
What Overturning Roe v. Wade Would Mean

As we await the Supreme Court decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, here’s something to think about.

IN THE NEWS

Food Prices Hit Both Poor New Yorkers and the Food Pantries That Support Them

Columbia Business School's Mark Cohen believes that food prices will remain high for at least another year.

Gothamist
July 24, 2022

A Scientific Basis For Legal Action Against US, China For Climate Damages

Michael Burger, executive director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, said that new research could show the connection between one country's carbon emissions and another one's economic losses.

CNN
July 12, 2022

What the Liberal Justices’ Scorching Dissent Reveals About the US Supreme Court

Columbia Law's Olatunde Johnson stated that the closing lines of the dissent from the Dobbs decision provided a fairly bleak assessment of the current Supreme Court.

The Guardian
July 11, 2022

States and the EPA Can Still Regulate Greenhouse Gases, Despite the Supreme Court’s Ruling

Columbia Law School's Michael Gerrard wrote about how the the Supreme Court's decision on the EPA weakened some of its regulatory power on climate change issues, but not all.

Los Angeles Times
July 7, 2022

Social Justice

Columbia Law School's Black Men's Initiative
Anti-Racism Programs Work For the Future

Two Columbia Law School programs awarded funding through the inaugural round of Anti-Racism Grants—the Black Men’s Initiative and the Law School Pathways Program—are designed to help current and future law students.

Michele Moody-Adams, philosophy professor, Columbia University
A Philosopher Considers the Power of Social Movements in Effecting Change

In her new book, “Making Space for Justice,” Professor Michele Moody-Adams shows how such movements bridge the gap between political thought and political activism.

Low Library at commencement, Columbia University
The Center for Justice Paves a Path to Reentry for Formerly Incarcerated Students

This year, seven formerly incarcerated students affiliated with Columbia's Center for Justice graduated from the university.

Social Science

"What Does Putin Want" panel at SIPA
Russia and Ukraine: What Does Putin Want?

Watch the School of International and Public Affairs expert panel discussion about what the impacts of Russia's aggression in Ukraine.

Vishakha Desai, senior advisor for global affairs to the president and chair, Committee on Global Thought; Marie Myung-Ok Lee, writer in residence at the Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race; Mae Ngai, Lung Family Professor of Asian American Studies and professor of history; Denise Cruz, professor of English and comparative literature; and Jennifer Lee, Julian Clarence Levi Professor of Social Sciences.
Why Academia Should Focus Research on the Asian American and Pacific Islander Experience

Five Columbia faculty members explain why it is important that their disciplines concentrate on Asian American and Pacific Islander issues.

Illustration of a court house with a map of the United States made up of social media icons
Supreme Court Puts Texas Social Media Law on Hold

The Knight First Amendment Institute welcomes Supreme Court’s order.