Volt

Research communication is crucial if governments, companies, and society are to use the best evidence to drive change, but ensuring the research finds its way into society in a timely and actionable fashion is no easy job in a world that is flooded with information. The relationship between schools and the media is therefore crucial.

Science has never existed in a vacuum, and now the Trump administration places more pressure on academia than ever before. Couple this with the misinformation crisis, and it’s increasingly important that academia effectively connects its work with the wider public. Researchers no longer just do science; they must communicate it as well. One might think institutions support and reward those who represent science publicly, but that isn’t always the case.

When ChatGPT and other generative AI tools took off a few years ago, it sparked a big push to improve digital skills training across the board. The goal is twofold: to help people create and work with these tools more effectively, and to support those whose jobs are being disrupted by them It was perhaps no surprise that a 2022 Oxford study cited the earning boost when people develop AI skills.

In an era of heightened scrutiny and rapid change, higher education leaders must choose their words—and their silences—wisely. In this episode, hosts Teresa Valerio Parrot and Erin Hennessy talk with Holden Thorp about the critical role of transparency in university leadership, the dangers of staying quiet in the face of controversy, and the responsibility institutions have to communicate their value to the public.

The World Economic Forum‘s report on the future of jobs at the start of 2025 encapsulated some concerns around AI’s potential to disrupt the labor market. The report suggested 170 million jobs might be created, with 92 million lost. Given such churn, the report highlights the challenge posed by people’s skills no longer being relevant, with approximately 40% of skills transformed or redundant by 2030. The challenges of skills mismatches are increasingly on policymakers’ agendas.

It’s like a fever dream now, but on the night of January 18, TikTok stopped working in the United States and stayed gone for around 12 hours. As I wrote a few months ago, this wasn’t the first time a popular social media platform ended. Over the last ten years, I’ve seen plenty of popular platforms fall, but this one felt different. Many content creators have spoken about the political implications of the 12-hour disappearance, so I won’t dive into that.

Welcome back to Season 3 of the Trusted Voices Podcast. In this opening episode, Teresa Valerio Parrot and Erin Hennessy emphasize the importance of strategic planning, effective communication, and ethical decision-making, particularly in light of upcoming election challenges that could shape the future of higher education.

Teresa Valerio Parrot and Erin Hennessy welcome Drs. Kevin McClure and Jorge Burmicky to discuss their recent study on leadership competencies in higher education, which noted the critical role of emotional intelligence, trust and resilience in the success of college presidencies.

While the precise impact of generative AI remains shrouded in a degree of mystery, what seems more certain is that it will continue to impact higher education. The debate is about ensuring that this impact is positive. For instance, the International Monetary Fund recently highlighted AI’s potential to exacerbate existing inequalities.

Kevin Tyler sits down with Carri Twigg to explore how the incoming administration’s policies may reshape higher education. From the potential dismantling of the Department of Education to the nomination of Linda McMahon and the increasing politicization of education, they uncover challenges and opportunities for institutions, marketers, and policymakers.