Recent Media Coverage

Research scientists and project directors at the Wellesley Centers for Women are experts in their fields. Our research findings and action programs are often featured in news stories by regional, national, and international media outlets. Below are some examples of our media coverage. Journalists can contact our external relations department at news-wcw@wellesley.edu to arrange an interview with an expert from WCW.

The Cut: Pashtana Durrani Won’t Let Afghanistan’s Girls Disappear

Pashtana Durrani talks about her book, "Last to Eat, Last to Learn."

Literary Hub: A Brief History of the Grand Old American Tradition of Banning Books

Laura Pappano shares an excerpt from her book "School Moms: Parent Activism, Partisan Politics, and the Battle for Public Education."

NHK World Japan: Education, the Right To Be Humans: Pashtana Durrani / Founder, LEARN Afghan

Pashtana Durrani is featured in a documentary about her life and her organization, LEARN.

The New York Times: America Is Averting Its Eyes From Something Very, Very Wrong

Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., shares her expertise on how social media use differs by race.

Los Angeles Times: Science doesn’t yet support broad restrictions on teens’ access to social media, experts say

Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., discusses the need for research-based decisions.

The Hechinger Report: The (mostly) Republican moms fighting to reclaim their Idaho school district from conservatives

Laura Pappano writes about a battle over public schools, in an article that also appeared in Vanity Fair.

PBS: Student Mental Health Matters | A Toolkit for Educators

Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., is featured in the Social Media Overview, Social Media Benefits and Risks, and Social Media Classroom Strategies segments.

Wellesley Magazine: A Big Idea

Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., writes about looking to youth as architects of a safer digital world.

Psychology Today: A Nobel Prize, the Supreme Court, and Reproductive Rights

Rosalind Barnett, Ph.D., writes about how the gender pay gap is connected to reproductive rights.

Insider: A woman's chance for equal pay plummets when she has a kid — and never recovers, says the newest Harvard economist to win the Nobel Prize

Sari Kerr, Ph.D., talks about her frequent collaborator, Claudia Goldin, Ph.D.

Global Citizen: Afghanistan Is a Country of Rebels. We Will Never Stop Fighting.

Pashtana Durrani writes about her experience traveling home to Afghanistan.

BabyCenter: As 'childcare cliff' looms, 6-month waitlists and $17K annual fees are already the norm

Wendy Wagner Robeson, Ed.D., speaks about the cost of childcare.

Wired: How to Talk to Your Kids About Social Media and Mental Health

Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., shares practical advice for parents.

As lawmakers try to police social media, SF leaders back off

Dr. Charmaraman discusses various regulations that should be implemented for adolescents using social media.

"Opinion Fatigue" Is Setting In For Twitter, TikTok, & Instagram Creators

Dr. Charmaraman provides insight into the dynamics of online discourse and what drives people to share opinions in the evolving landscape of social media.

Linda Charmaraman, Wellesley College – When It Comes to Teens and Screens, Pets Can Have Surprising Benefits - The Academic Minute

Dr. Charmaraman's study explores the role of pets in middle schoolers' lives during the pandemic, uncovering insights about screen time, emotional support, and social interactions.

Wellesley College: How Linda Charmaraman and the Youth, Media & Wellbeing Lab Are Influencing the Way We Think about Social Media

This Spotlight on Wellesley highlights Dr. Charmaraman's story and work on how social media affects its youngest and most marginalized users.

CEU Names Afghan Women and Girls Winners of CEU Open Society Prize

Pashtana Durrani was one of six activists honored at Central European University’s (CEU) 32nd Commencement Ceremony in Vienna, Austria.

Salon: The tricky timing of a child's first smartphone

Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., shared her expertise with Salon on why there is no "right age" to give kids smartphones.

Wellesley College: Acclaimed WCW Researcher Peggy McIntosh to be Inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame

This Spotlight on Wellesley story features Peggy McIntosh, Ph.D., in conversation with Layli Maparyan, Ph.D., to discuss her life’s work.

Boston Globe: The stage is theirs: At a majority of Boston-area theaters, women leaders have taken charge

Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., project director of the League of Resident Theatres' ongoing study on race and gender representation, comments on the rise of women leaders in Boston-area theaters.

Psychology Today: Bias Against Women Is Rising Across the Globe

Rosalind Barnett, Ph.D., discusses how women's rights are being restricted in the United States and abroad.

USA Today: Florida just expanded school vouchers – again. Here's what it could mean for public education.

Laura Pappano explains the real world consequences of school choice.

Global Citizen Prize 2023: Meet the 5 Remarkable Activists Who Are This Year’s Winners

Pashtana Durrani has been awarded the Global Citizen Prize Citizen Award.

U.S. News & World Report: Social Issues Dominate in the Women’s Hall of Fame’s New Class

Peggy McIntosh, Ph.D., to be inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.

Bloomberg: Addressing the Gender Earnings Gap

Sari Kerr, Ph.D., explains how the gender earnings gap lasts over a lifetime.

The Washington Post: TikTok’s trendy beauty filter ushers in new tech and new problems

Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., discusses how beauty filters can be detrimental to teens and young people.

The Conversation: Research on teen social media use has a racial bias – studies of white kids are widely taken to be universal

White teens and teens of color do not have identical online experiences, explains Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D.

UGA Today: $5M grant will strengthen conservation in Liberia

WCW partnered with UGA to advance gender equality in Liberia’s forestry industry.

Time: America Has Been Going About Stopping Child Sex Abuse The Wrong Way

Shifting Boundaries: Lessons on Relationships for Students in Middle School, co-developed by Nan Stein, Ed.D., is mentioned in a Time Magazine op-ed.

The 19th: Democrats and Republicans agree child care is in crisis. Why can’t they get a bill passed?

Wendy Wagner Robeson, Ed.D., explains that child care is essential for parents and the economy.

Global Citizen: My Organization Empowers Girls Through Education — By Running Underground Schools in Afghanistan

Visiting Fellow Pashtana Durrani shares her story.

Psychology Today: Is Social Media Use Really Problematic for Teens?

Research from our Youth, Media & Wellbeing Research Lab is cited in an article on tips to minimize social media risk.

Women’s eNews: When It Comes to Abortion, It’s a Topsy Turvy World

Rosalind Barnett, Ph.D., discusses the changing landscape of reproductive rights in the U.S.

Griotte's Beat: A Conversation with Layli Maparyan

Layli Maparyan, Ph.D., discusses her upbringing as a biracial Black child, her work on womanism, and the genius of everyday women. 

Ms. Magazine: The Most Anticipated Feminist Books of 2023

Pashtana Durrani’s memoir, Last to Eat, Last to Learn, is among Ms. Magazine’s most anticipated books of 2023.

The Gender Earnings Gap Persists Over a Lifetime

Research from Sari Kerr, Ph.D., asks, what happens to women’s work, careers, and earnings as their children get older and care responsibilities diminish?

Meta: How Meta Is Working to Provide Safe, Age-Appropriate Experiences for Teens

During a summit hosted by Meta, Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., give a deep dive into the latest research on social media and teen wellbeing.

CNN: Major foreign aid groups suspend work in Afghanistan after Taliban bars female employees

Pashtana Durrani discusses women's rights in Afghanistan.

NPR: The highest level of education an Afghan girl can now get is 6th grade

Pashtana Durrani discusses changes to girls' education in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.

NBC News: Agism on Social Media

Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., comments on a TikTok trend and Gen Z's ideas around aging and beauty.

UN Human Rights: Reflecting on progress

On Human Rights Day, Pashtana Durrani discusses the importance of a gender equal world.

Afterschool Alliance: Highlighting the voices of youth workers: New book focuses on the youth development field

Georgia Hall, Ph.D., and Elizabeth Starr, M.Ed., discuss how their new book shines a light on the vulnerability and triumph of youth development work.

Austin Chronicle: APD Sexual Assault Audit Validates Survivor Concerns

The Police Executive Research Forum, Women's Law Project, and WCW completed an audit of the Austin, TX, Police Department's handling of sexual assault cases.

City of Austin: Independent Review Makes Recommendations to Improve Police Handling of Sexual Assaults

WCW partnered on a review of the City of Austin, TX, Police Department's handling of sexual violence cases.

KVUE: Independent review identifies recommendations to improve Austin police's handling of sexual assaults

KVUE News highlights findings from a report co-authored by WCW researchers.

KXAN: Progress made but APD needs improvement in handling sex assault cases, report states

KXAN News highlights findings from a report co-authored by WCW researchers.

Fox7 Austin: APD still needs to improve key aspects of sexual assault response, report finds

A report co-authored by researchers from WCW highlighted ways to improve investigations of sexual assault.

Broadway World: New Field Study Will Examine Racial And Gender Representation In Resident Theater Leadership

WCW has partnered with the League of Resident Theatres to analyze the racial and gender representation of theater leadership and examine barriers to entry.

Detroit Free Press: Inside Detroit's 24-hour child care

Wendy Wagner Robeson, Ed.D., highlights the benefits of a 24-hour child care center while calling for more funding for the industry.

Discover Magazine: Social Media May Be Changing The Way You Communicate

Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., discusses the positive and negative impacts of teen social media use. 

Wellesley College: How Willow Helps Students Manage Stress

Wellesley students who are feeling overwhelmed or stressed can turn to Willow, an online program developed by Tracy Gladstone, Ph.D.

EDC: EDC Awarded $9.4 Million to Continue Leadership of NCASE

NIOST will continue its partnership with EDC to ensure that school-age children across the country benefit from high-quality out-of-school time learning.

The Charlatan: Online anonymity: The internet as a safe space for LGBT+ youth

Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., discusses her research on the positive impacts of social media use for sexual minority teens.

American Prestige: The History of Afghanistan

Pashtana Durrani joins the American Prestige podcast to discuss the history of Afghanistan.

Equal Times: Despite one year of Taliban rule, Afghan women haven’t stopped fighting for equality

Pashtana Durrani discusses the impact of Taliban rule on Afghan women's rights.

VOX EU: When the Kids Grow Up

Sari Pekkala Kerr, Ph.D., discusses women’s employment and earnings across the family lifecycle.

New York Times: Back to School and Back to Normal. Or at Least Close Enough.

Laura Pappano contributes to a collection of stories about the start of the 2022-23 school year. 

Considerations in Conducting Child Care and Early Education Facilities Needs Assessments

A report from the Administration for Children and Families cites research from our Work, Families & Children Research Group on the importance of quality child care facilities. 

Channels Television: From A Street Kid To Int’l Peace Prize Winner, Hauwa Ibrahim Shares Her Story

Hauwa Ibrahim discusses her pathway from growing up in rural, Northern Nigeria to becoming an international human rights attorney. She also discusses her ongoing work to bring STEAM education to youth in Nigeria.

Morgan Stanley: Parenting in the Digital Age: Fostering Well-being and Resilience

Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., spoke on a panel hosted by the Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children's Mental Health. 

Boston Globe: The intersection of trafficking and substance use disorder in Boston’s opioid crisis

Kate Price, Ph.D., encourages the Globe to portray the complexities fueling the intersection of substance use disorder and commercial sexual exploitation.

Washington Post: Online creators are de facto therapists for millions. It’s complicated.

Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., discusses a collaboration to educate creators to help them produce responsible content on social media.

Al Jazeera: How has a year of Taliban rule changed Afghanistan?

Pashtana Durrani discusses the state of girls' and women's rights in Afghanistan after one year of Taliban rule.

ADHD Experts Podcast: Mental Health Out Loud: The Mental Health Fallout from Social Media Use

On ADDitude's ADHD Experts podcast, Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., discusses the unique ways that social media use can offer positives and negatives for neurodivergent youth. 

4 News: Taliban in control: a year of power in Afghanistan

Visiting Fellow Pashtana Durrani discusses the state of girls' education in Afghanistan after one year of Taliban rule.

ScreenStrong Families: How YouTube Impacts Middle School Development with Dr. Linda Charmaraman

In a podcast interview, Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., discusses her research on social media use and youth development.

Boston Globe: Kate Price’s shocking allegations reveal an unaddressed crisis of children trafficked by relatives

After Kate Price, Ph.D., shared her experience of familial child sex trafficking, more victims came forward to share their stories.

International Peace Institute: Rethinking Digital Education with Youth in the Lead

Visiting Fellow Pashtana Durrani spoke on a panel about her work on digital education in Afghanistan.

Community Impact: Multiple improvements recommended for Austin Police Department's sexual assault investigations

WCW collaborated on a report that offered recommendations to improve the Austin, TX, Police Department's approach to sexual assault investigations.

NPR: Girls and women in Afghanistan have been blocked from receiving an education

Visiting Fellow Pashtana Durrani discusses girls' and women's education in Afghanistan.

Psychology Today: Body Image Issues Are Not Just for Young Women

Senior Scholar Rosalind C. Barnett, Ph.D., discusses the prevalence of body image issues among women in their 50s. 

Driving Change: St. Thomas Hosts National SEED Project Workshop

The University of St. Thomas has felt the impact of SEED on its campus.

Boston Fed: What happens when limited child care options force difficult tradeoffs?

A report from the Boston Fed, co-authored by Wendy Wagner Robeson, Ed.D., explores the tradeoffs parents make when seeking child care. 

Boston Globe Magazine: Kate Price remembers something terrible

Visiting Scholar Kate Price, Ph.D., delves into her history and memories to uncover the truth of her childhood. Warning: This story deals with child sexual abuse.

Good Morning America: Parents sue TikTok after daughter dies attempting 'blackout' social media challenge

Dr. Linda Charmaraman shares insights from her research on youth social media use and wellbeing.

The Social Complex: How Digital Media is Affecting Teens & Tweens

In a podcast interview, Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., discusses the resilience of teens and tweens in a digital world.

PBS NewsHour: Afghan women, girls push for education in the face of Taliban resistance

Visiting Fellow Pashtana Durrani discusses how Afghanistan's extremist government has barred girls from attending schools.

Milford Daily News: Lucas Giguere takes over as Franklin schools superintendent

Mood Check, a mental health program of WCW, is one of the ways Franklin Public Schools address student wellbeing.

UMass Lowell: Professors Study Aids and Barriers to Prosecuting Child Sexual Abuse

Linda Williams, Ph.D., and Stephanie Block, Ph.D., share findings from their study on the challenges of prosecuting child sexual abuse cases.

ABC News: LGBTQ+ community facing increased social media bias, author says

Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., shares research findings on LGBTQ teens' social media use.

Now This: LEARN Is a Grassroots Organization Helping Girls and Women in Afghanistan Continue Their Education Amid Taliban School Ban

Visiting Fellow Pashtana Durrani discusses her work to advance girls' education in Afghanistan.

The Academic Minute: For LGBTQ Youth, Social Media Can Have Unexpected Benefits

Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., shares research findings on LGBTQ teens' social media use.

WBUR: New effort will preserve Teen Voices, a Boston magazine that embraced girls' complexities

Materials from Teen Voices, including a documentary produced at WCW will be preserved Schlesinger Library at Harvard Radcliffe Institute.

Brasil de Fato: Como as redes sociais podem fomentar o extremismo em jovens?

Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., discusses her research on youth wellbeing and social media use. (Article in Portuguese.)

Women's eNews: Deep Fakes: The Latest Anti-Woman Weapon

Rosalind C. Barnett, Ph.D., and Caryl Rivers discuss the dangers of fake videos on porn sites that are challenging to detect. 

Forbes: How The Taliban’s New Burqa Order Threatens Economic And Workplace Progress For Afghanistan’s Women

Pashtana Durrani discusses new rules that limit women's rights under the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Business Insider India: How does social media affect teenagers? Understanding the mental health impact — and why it's not all bad

Research on body image from Linda Charmaraman, Ph.D., is cited in an article on teen wellbeing.

Al Jazeera: Sri Lanka: How can the crisis be resolved?

Visiting Fellow Pashtana Durrani discusses the state of women's rights in Afghanistan.

Wellesley Magazine: In Exile, But Undaunted

Visiting Fellow Pashtana Durrani shares her story with the Wellesley Magazine.