EurekAlert! News by Subject: Policy & Ethics - News by Subject: Policy & Ethics

Policy & Ethics

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 30-Mar-2026 16:15 ET (30-Mar-2026 20:15 GMT/UTC)

With history standards prone to politicization, 'minimalism' approach would benefit teachers, scholar argues

University of Kansas
Peer-Reviewed Publication

History education standards were originally meant to ensure students received the highest quality history education possible. But they have become part of the culture wars, with politicans sometimes writing standards line by line, Stephen Jackson of the University of Kansas argues in a new study. There is little evidence the standards have improved education and complicated matters for teachers, Jackson argues, therefore a "standards minimalism" approach, like that taken in Kansas and Maine's standards could give educators the support they need to teach students and avoid politicization.

Journal: Journal of American History

New study provides first practical guide to conducting umbrella reviews in education

ECNU Review of Education
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new study introduces the first step-by-step methodological guide for conducting umbrella reviews in education, addressing a major gap in evidence synthesis. Combining theory with a real case study on digital diaries, the publication supports novice researchers and strengthens evidence-based decision-making in education by offering a clear, structured, and field-specific approach to advanced research synthesis. It highlights the relevance, originality, and value of umbrella reviews for producing comprehensive, policy-relevant insights, while identifying key research gaps and advancing methodological rigor in educational research.

Journal: ECNU Review of Education

Pinpointing Europe’s Digital Dependencies

University of Bonn
Reports and Proceedings

From computer chips and cloud computing to artificial intelligence, Germany and the rest of Europe want to become less dependent on digital technologies from abroad by driving forward their own innovations. The Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) at the University of Bonn has now prepared a policy brief, in cooperation with the Vodafone Institute for Society and Communications, Vodafone’s European think tank. The paper tackles the continent’s “digital trade deficit” and shows how hidden trade dependencies on the US and China are raising questions about the effectiveness of current European strategies.

Study challenges neo-liberal higher education model by revisiting Confucius’ dual ideals of the ideal individual and social order

ECNU Review of Education
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The dominant Anglo-American Research University model has long been criticized for failing to address contemporary global challenges. A new study by researchers from Southern University of Science and Technology and The University of Hong Kong revisits Confucius’ dual imaginaries—the ideal man (Junzi) and the ideal social order (Tianxia)—to propose a reimagined framework for higher education. The study argues that Confucius’ ideals offer a relational, contextual, and internally driven alternative to prevailing neo-liberal models.

Journal: ECNU Review of Education

A new practical introductory guide on green roofs and walls to EU member states and local stakeholders launched to support the implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation

Pensoft Publishers
Reports and Proceedings

A new knowledge synthesis report prepared by the Science Service for Biodiversity under BioAgora, in response to a policy request by DG Environment to the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD), shows that green roofs and green walls are effective, scalable nature-based solutions that can enhance climate resilience, biodiversity, energy efficiency and human wellbeing in European cities, while providing practical guidance to support the implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation.

Normative messaging bridges the partisan gap in pandemic risk-taking, study shows

University of Plymouth
Peer-Reviewed Publication

New research led by the University of Plymouth (UK) demonstrates that clear messages can align public behaviour during a health crisis, effectively bridging gaps previously associated with political voting records. The research was carried out around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic and recruited more than 800 United States citizens who had voted for either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Presidential Election.

Journal: Journal of Behavioral Decision Making

Choosing embryos based on genetic predictions raises new ethical and legal concerns

Hokkaido University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The article examines the emerging use of genomic testing to predict complex traits in embryos, such as intelligence or the risk of developing conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or Alzheimer’s disease later in life. As embryo testing moves beyond disease prevention toward the prediction of complex human social characteristics, the author argues that stronger oversight and clearer regulations are needed.

Journal: Frontiers in Reproductive Health

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