The Conversation Daily — June 20, 2026
10 stories · June 20, 2026
In this issue
- 1
Taylor Swift trademarking her voice and likeness points to a new legal frontier in combating AI deepfakes
theconversation.com · Daryl Lim, Associate Dean for Research and Strategic Partnerships, Penn State
Taylor Swift’s filings sit at the messy intersection of copyright, publicity and trademark law, each of which addresses different aspects of AI deepfakes. Luis Gutierrez/Norte Photo via Getty Images…
- 2
Older Americans are often compelled to keep working – and then criticized for not stepping aside
theconversation.com · Lee Ann Rawlins Williams, Clinical Assistant Professor of Education, Health and Behavior Studies, University of North Dakota
In 'The Devil Wears Prada 2,' legendary fashion editor Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep, starts to doubt her abilities and wonders when she should step aside. Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC…
- 3
Is rubbing your eyes bad for you? 2 eye specialists explain what’s behind the urge to rub and what to do about it
theconversation.com · Taylor Starnes, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, University of Illinois Chicago · Neelam Patadia, Visiting Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, University of Illinois Chicago
Eye rubbing may feel good, but it comes with risks. klebercordeiro/iStock via Getty Images Plus You know the feeling – the itchy eye that is just begging to be scratched. Before you start rubbing your…
- 4
Nearly half of maternal deaths in Pennsylvania occur more than 6 weeks after giving birth
theconversation.com · Yenupini Joyce Adams, Associate Professor of the Practice, University of Notre Dame
But women continue to die from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth until one year after birth. Goodboy Picture Company/E+ Collection via Getty Images For too many women, the journey to…
- 5
As more athletes speak openly about depression, anxiety and suicide, a minority of fans are weaponizing it
theconversation.com · Scott Parrott, Professor of Media Effects, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, University of South Carolina
Though Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran received widespread support after revealing a suicide attempt, he's also weathered taunts from fans. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images It’s a cool Tuesday night…
- 6
More universities are disinviting commencement speakers who might challenge students’ ideas, unraveling an apolitical tradition
theconversation.com · Austin Sarat, William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Jurisprudence and Political Science, Amherst College
College commencement ceremonies celebrate students' achievements, but also have become occasionally fraught with politics. photosbyjim/iStock/Getty Images Plus Delivering a university commencement…
- 7
Texas Tech’s new limits on how faculty teach gender identity and sexual orientation challenge more than free speech
theconversation.com · Henry F. Fradella, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Arizona State University
Banning students from writing theses and dissertations on sexual orientation and gender identity could be seen as curtailing students' freedom of speech rights. Malte Mueller/fStop/Getty Images Texas…
- 8
Is baby talk bad? Why ‘parentese’ actually helps babies learn language
theconversation.com · Karen Stollznow, Senior Research Fellow of Linguistics, University of Colorado Boulder; Griffith University
Emphasizing the sounds of certain words to young children can help them retain language, not confuse them about speaking properly. MoMo Productions/DigitalVision via Getty Images Many parents have…
- 9
What makes a good teacher? Ask a Republican and a Democrat, and they are likely to agree
theconversation.com · Gustavo E. Fischman, Professor of Education Policies and Comparative Studies, Arizona State University · Eric Haas, Professor of Educational Leadership, California State University, East Bay · Margarita Pivovarova, Associate Professor of Education Policy, Arizona State University
Support for students is one value that both Democrats and Republicans alike value in a teacher. Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram via Getty Images If you follow the headlines,…
- 10
Black, Hispanic, female and low-income elementary students are less likely to be identified with autism
theconversation.com · Paul L. Morgan, Director, Institute for Social and Health Equity, University at Albany, State University of New York
Understanding whether different groups of kids are more likely to be identified as having autism can help ensure that all students have equal access to the appropriate services at school. Adrian…