Molly Callahan

Who is at fault when a driverless car behaves unpredictably? Woodrow Hartzog, professor of law and computer science at Northeastern, offers a framework for tracing back where things went wrong. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Who is at fault when autonomous systems behave in unpredictable ways?

As autonomous systems become more ubiquitous in daily life, instances of these systems behaving in unintended ways are also becoming more frequent—or are inherently flawed when behaving as expected. Two Northeastern legal scholars explore the failure points in these complex systems.

by Molly Callahan June 24, 2021

now hiring sign on a Sonic Restaurant sign

Here’s why the US labor shortage may not be such a bad thing

The latest jobs reports in the United States present a puzzling fact: Millions of people remain unemployed even as many employers complain of worker shortage. So, what’s going on? Would-be employees are in prime position to bargain for better wages and working conditions, say Northeastern economics scholars.

by Molly Callahan June 22, 2021

Juneteenth just became a federal holiday in the US. Here’s what that means.

Recognizing Juneteenth nationally “emphasizes that African American history is American history,” says Patricia Davis, a critical and cultural studies scholar at Northeastern. The move serves to connect the country’s history with its legacy in the present, say Davis and legal scholar Margaret Burnham.

by Molly Callahan June 17, 2021

Biden nominates civil rights legend Margaret Burnham for federal Civil Rights cold case review board

President Joe Biden has nominated Northeastern law scholar and renowned civil rights lawyer Margaret Burnham to serve on a new board that will make it easier to access the records of unsolved murders of Black Americans during the Civil Rights era—and possibly solve some of the lingering crimes.

by Molly Callahan June 16, 2021

Northeastern’s Cabot Testing Center is awash this month in rainbow flags, stickers, and face masks to celebrate LGBTQA Pride Month, such as the one Iloisa Teixeira, a swab coach at Cabot, wears. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

There’s a lot to be proud of at Northeastern’s COVID-19 testing centers

It’s hard to see a smile through a face mask, but at Northeastern’s Cabot Testing Center, you just know they’re there. The COVID-19 testing center, which has been scaled down recently as cases of the disease drop and vaccinations rise, is awash this month in rainbow flags, stickers, and face masks to celebrate LGBTQA Pride Month. And the pride includes the teamwork that made the accomplishments of the testing center possible.

by Molly Callahan June 15, 2021

Amazon recently purchased MGM Studios for a whopping $8.45 billion in what amounts to ‘a classic case of musical chairs,’ says Venkat Kuppuswamy, assistant professor of entrepreneurship and innovation at Northeastern. Photo by Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University

Amazon Prime Video doesn’t need to be great. It just needs to be good enough.

Amazon’s recent purchase of MGM Studios comes with a trove of potential content based on beloved film franchises. But the online marketplace doesn’t have to compete with other streaming services for viewers of its movies and shows, say Northeastern scholars—it just has to offer content good enough that families on the fence about subscribing to Amazon Prime decide it’s worth the plunge.

by Molly Callahan June 8, 2021

Will those ‘quarantine 15’ weight-loss ad campaigns backfire?

This summer, a new pressure has emerged: The pressure to lose weight, whiten teeth, clarify skin, and more, after a year spent largely inside. But companies run an especially high risk of backlash if their messaging is seen as out of touch with public sentiment, say Northeastern scholars.

by Molly Callahan June 4, 2021

Photo by Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University

Supreme Court ruling clears path for researchers, journalists who test Facebook and other platforms for discrimination

In a major victory for researchers and journalists, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday narrowed the scope of a federal law that creates criminal and civil liability for violations of website terms of service. “The ruling removes a significant cloud of legal uncertainty around the kind of work we do,” said Alan Mislove, professor of computer science at Northeastern.

by Molly Callahan June 3, 2021

Try summer the hammock way. ‘It’s a laid-back life.’

Ah, summer. The days are longer, the weather is warmer, and the living is easy (just ask George Gershwin). There’s no better time to unfold a hammock and relax in the shade in the arboretum on Northeastern’s Boston campus.

by Molly Callahan May 28, 2021

A woman kneels at the Moment of Reflection for George Floyd

‘The death of George Floyd was this century’s Selma moment’

For nine minutes and 29 seconds on Tuesday, Northeastern University stood still, silently mourning George Floyd on the first anniversary of his death and reflecting on the urgent work toward racial justice that still remains to be done.

by Molly Callahan May 25, 2021

Posts by Molly Callahan