Academics forced to leave academia often feel like failures. The environment fostered by higher education both pins the blame on aspiring professors for not being able to get into academia, and leaves those who wish to transition out of academia in the dark as to where they can move on next. For those who feel lost, however, “Lead from the Outside” offers a new perspective: it’s possible to transform systems even as academic outsiders, through humanities work.
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Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here