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Making science more visible
As he enters a laboratory with saltwater pools full of fish, Luka Žuvić explains how climate change is affecting the feeding ecology and reproductive biology of Atlantic bluefin tuna, and how the species is adapting.It is a topic that may seem remote to many people. But in a country where fishing and aquaculture are important to the economy and national identity, Žuvić’s research is at the intersection of science and society. “In Croatia, marine and environmental science are closely connected to people’s lives because fisheries, aquaculture, tourism and coastal development are a big part of our lives,” explains Žuvić, a doctoral student working at the Croatian Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries in the Adriatic coastal city of Split. He also serves as one of Croatia’s ambassadors to Science Comes to Town (SCTT), a European Commission-funded project that aims to make scientific research more accessible, while inspiring young people to study the sciences. The project kicked off in Spilt on 20 January with a conference attended by partner institutions, community representatives, policymakers and scientists. Along with Split, Brest (in France) and Kiel (in Germany) will host a year of activities connecting scientists with the public.Žuvić, 31, is part of the Young Researchers' Career Development Project, a doctoral programme funded by the Croatian Science Foundation. His research on Atlantic bluefin tuna builds on a foundation-backed project focusing on the reproductive potential of farmed tuna, including their sexual maturation and spontaneous spawning in captivity, which has implications for the restoration of the Adriatic Sea's natural tuna populations. He also studies the tuna's feeding ecology through stomach-content analysis, using DNA metabarcoding and morphological approaches, and employs geometric morphometrics to improve the identification of juvenile tuna and related species. The research aims to enhance understanding of the tuna farming ecology, improve fish farm management and contribute to sustainable aquaculture and fisheries research.Engaging with local communitiesConnecting with the community is crucial for Žuvić’s research. Conversations with fishermen help him better understand the bluefin tuna's habits and how marine pollution affects the fish. “They are also curious about the biology and ecology of bluefin tuna,” he says of local fishermen, adding that sharing research with non-scientists benefits everyone. “Sometimes scientific research is invisible,” he explains. “That's why we as researchers need to go out from our institutions and labs to the public so that we can show them what we are working on. This helps create more trust in the scientists and their research.”Engaging the public also raises awareness about the anthropogenic changes to the marine environment resulting from human activities and pollution. Žuvić helps remove plastic and other rubbish from the Adriatic Sea that pose a direct threat to marine species. Predators, such as bluefin tuna, are especially vulnerable to ingesting waste churned up by fishing trawlers. “They are very opportunistic fish that follow trawlers and ingest everything,” he notes. To illustrate the impact, he has shown students the contents of bluefin tuna stomachs. “Finding a plastic bottle cap in the stomach of a bluefin tuna is concerning,” he says. "Science can be a powerful way to turn curiosity into practical solutions,” Žuvić adds, and sharing research outcomes “helps increase public awareness and improve understanding of human impacts on the marine environment.”The research also has implications for Croatia's economy. The Atlantic bluefin tuna’s rich, flavourful meat is highly valued for sushi and other raw fish dishes. However, overfishing nearly brought its population to collapse by the early 2000s. Although the species has made a comeback in the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions, catches continue to be managed through agreements with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. Croatia was a pioneer in developing commercial aquaculture as an alternative to open-sea fishing and accounts for about 10% of the EU’s farmed production of the bluefin tuna, with Japan being a key export market.A history of European collaborationCroatia has participated in Europe’s framework programmes for research and innovation since 2007, six years before officially joining the EU. Žuvić believes that EU funding and collaboration with other European researchers is vital for Croatian science. As part of the SCTT opening conference, the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, the University of Split and other local institutions were part of a science fair to showcase research on topics, such as robotics and an EU LIFE project on the protection of sharks and rays in the Mediterranean. “I hope that Science Comes to Town will help increase scientific literacy and curiosity among citizens, particularly students, and show that science is not something that is distant or abstract, but something that directly affects everyday life,” Žuvić concludes. “Ultimately, I hope that projects like it contribute to building a society that values knowledge and critical thinking, and that we can think about long-term sustainability using knowledge from science.”Science|Business, which connects policymakers, academics and industry through its news reporting, analysis and events, is an SCTT partner.
West Virginia students shine in regional Science Bowl event
The Science Bowl is a national academic competition hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy that tests high school and middle school students on their knowledge across all areas of STEM, and winner…
King School student named a finalist in Regeneron science competition
Leon Wang's grandfather died due to the effects of Alzheimer's, so the King School senior set about finding a way to slow the progress of the disease for his winning project.
JPS science fair highlights student creativity
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Students put their creativity and critical thinking on display at the Jackson Public Schools’ (JPS) Science Fair and S.T.E.A.M. Expo. The students gathered at the Mississippi T...
JPS science fair highlights student creativity
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Students put their creativity and critical thinking on display at the Jackson Public Schools’ (JPS) Science Fair and S.T.E.A.M. Expo. The students gathered at th…
Quinnipiac University offers free youth heart health screening
HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Hundreds of families, young adults and students gathered at Quinnipiac University on Saturday to check in on their heart health. “It’s like your car, right,”…
Balch Finds Her Place Behind the Scenes of Sports’ Biggest Events
With the Super Bowl back in Santa Clara, Santa Clara alumna Nicolette Balch is watching from a different vantage point than the one she had nearly a decade ago — not as someone working the event, but as a former student-athlete whose career once took her to the NFL's biggest stage.
Healthy Habits Challenge
The Healthy Habits Challenge is an annual challenge held in March. The Healthy Habits Challenge is a month-long program that can be completed virtuall...
LAPS Announces 2026 Los Alamos County Science Fair Results
Science Fair participants in the junior division with their awards. Photo Courtesy LAPS Los Alamos High School students Linus Plohr, Lilia Viteva and Tate Plohr won first place awards for their pro…
MUSC Health and Clemson University break ground on comprehensive health care facility that will elevate student wellness and care delivery
New complex slated to open in Fall 2027 New complex slated to open in Fall 2027
Illinois State students merge art and science in Image of Research competition
Students from across Illinois State's campus displayed artworks displaying their scholarship and creative activity at the seventh annual Image of Research Exhibit and Reception held February 5 at University Galleries.
Dairy Business Association leader says WI ag bills need to pass soon
The executive director of the Dairy Business Association says several bills need to cross the finish line during the final weeks of the Wisconsin legislative session. Chad Zuleger tells Brownfield legislation close to getting final floor votes would help veterinary students pay for their education if they work in rural Wisconsin. “They’re free to do […]
iHeartPodcasts & Imagine Entertainment Enter ‘The A Building’ With Doc Series On Morehouse College Student Uprising
iHeartPodcasts & Imagine Entertainment have aunched 'The A Building', a podcast series about the 1969 Morehouse College student uprising.
Business Students Help Panamanian Entrepreneurs
Northern Michigan University College of Business students participated in a January short-term study-abroad experience in Panama, where they worked alongside rural and Indigenous entrepreneurs to strengthen and grow local businesses.
Dublin schools limit AP and honors classes, citing student mental health
Virtual Enterprise Conference showcases future business leaders as high school students compete
Bill could affect history and social science lessons for students across Virginia
A bill being discussed in Richmond could impact what students across Virginia learn in history and social science classrooms.
Sisters In Science: How One UMBC Lab Kindled A Family Tradition Of Discovery - UMBC: University Of Maryland, Baltimore County
On the fourth floor of UMBC’s Meyerhoff Chemistry Building, where students are hard at work exploring the intricacies of RNA molecules that may hold the...
The College Board Is Banning Students From Using Smart Glasses During the SATs
Smart glasses are the ultimate cheating tool, and colleges know it.
Roanoke introduces Master of Science in psychology
The two-year, terminal master’s degree will provide students with a robust set of skills and expertise, setting them up for success in their future careers.
Viking Athletics Has 58 Fall Sports Student-Athletes Earn Academic Honors
Portland State Athletics had 58 student-athletes recognized as Academic All-Big Sky Conference honorees for fall sports as released by the league today. Among fall sports teams, the women's volleyball program excelled with a 3.54 team GPA.
WPS announces top-scoring projects at WHS Science and Engineering Fair
This year’s WPS Science & Engineering Fair was one of the largest in recent memory, with over 100 judges, 350 students, and 228 projects. The projects that will move on to regionals have yet to be determined at this time, but Westfield will be bringing up to 17 projects to the regional fair, which will take place on March 6th at Western New England University.
Student Health Center at University of Nevada, Reno
The Student Health Center provides convenient, high-quality care — medical, mental health, nutrition, and sports medicine — for student well-being.
San Antonio’s prized student-athletes celebrate National Signing Day for Class of 2026
Student-athletes across the 210 area code signed their financial aid agreements, formerly known as National Letters of Intent, on Wednesday’s National Signing Day to continue their careers at the collegiate level.
Regional science fair explores musical chickens, AI, cybertrucks and cereal brands
The 68th annual San Juan Basin Regional Science Fair brought together more than 80 students from over a dozen schools Wednesday at Fort Lewis College. Students shared their findings from a range of un...
Decatur schools launch new security measures and mental health support for students
In response to rising concerns over school safety, Decatur City Schools is rolling out a new 24/7 reporting system and expanding mental health services for students.
NFL athletes help students celebrate new sports field in East Palo Alto
NFL player Mekhi Blackmon of the Colts and brothers Rejzohn and Nahshon Wright of the Saints and Bears, all played on the field as kids and were at the celebration. "This is where I learned to be a teammate," Bears CB and East Palo Alto native Nahshon Wright said. "This is how I learned to be selfless."
USU Uintah Basin Sponsors Successful Uintah Basin Science & Engineering Fair
More than 150 middle school students took part in the Uintah Basin Science and Engineering Fair, a regional event designed to encourage young learners to explore scientific discovery and engineering innovation.
Volunteer judges needed for Region 8 Science Fair
Volunteers can play a vital part in ensuring the success of the annual Illinois Junior Academy of Science Region 8 Science Fair on Feb. 24. Faculty, staff, SIU students and community member judges are needed as more than 150 students from across the region from grades 7-12 will be competing.
Ruckersville Elementary to host annual Science Night with over 100 student presentations
Students will demonstrate projects covering topics from the solar system to electric circuits to ocean life and living systems.
Public health officials take steps to limit measles spread in Dane Co.
MADISON — Public Health Madison Dane County confirmed Monday that a University of Wisconsin-Madison student was infected with measles, marking the county's first confirmed case since 2024.
UChicago Welcomes Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy to Hyde Park Labs - Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
New presence in the UChicago Science Incubator expands opportunities for high school STEM students and supports the South Side innovation ecosystem The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago announced today that the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) will establish its first Chicago-based office at Hyde Park Labs, located within
Ten teams of student innovators awarded impact funding
The program provides an opportunity for students to advance community health while building skills in social entrepreneurship and community partnership.
Benjamin Logan students advance to regional science competition
Benjamin Logan High School hosted its annual Local Science Day on Tuesday, featuring 18 student-led research projects. By the end of the event, 10 projects […]
Quantum wonders enthral science enthusiasts
Experience the wonders of quantum science at the Quantum Century exhibition in Malappuram, attracting thousands of enthusiasts and students.
Liberal Arts, Conservative Wallets: How College Majors Steer Students’ Politics
Surveys from over 300,000 college-goers show that humanities and social science majors drift left, while those studying business largely stand pat.
136 schools nationwide awarded grants to improve student, faculty health
DALLAS, Feb. 4, 2026 — Physical activity is vital to American students’ physical health and emotional well-being, helping them learn, concentrate and manage stress throughout the school day, yet most youth are not getting enough movement. According to...
How Universities and States Are Increasing Surveillance of Professors
Scrutiny of university classrooms is being formalized, with new laws requiring professors to post syllabuses and tip lines for students to complain.
Selected UK students invited to take 2026 Health and Wellness Kentucky Survey
Select University of Kentucky students will soon see an email inviting them to take part in the 2026 Health and Wellness Kentucky (HAWK) Student Assessment — a short, anonymous statewide survey designed to better understand student health and well-being.
Titans Athletics Celebrates National Girls & Women In Sports Day
The UW-Oshkosh Athletics Department is proud to once again celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day by recounting highlights provided by our more than 250 student-athletes across 12 women's varsity sports from the Winter 2024-25 through Fall 2025-26 seasons.
From cosmetics to the classroom: A Bronx teacher’s journey to bringing earth science to life
She traded the glamorous world of cosmetics for a classroom in the Bronx. Now she’s helping write New York state Regents exams and building ‘living labs’ for her students.
Port Chester native uses NASA moon plans to spark a love for science
NASA Solar System ambassador Charles Fulco, of Rye Brook, teaches elementary school students about the science behind space travel.
Texas issues new rules cracking down on student walkouts tied to political activism
Baylor Global Business Expo highlights study abroad, global engagement
The Baylor Hankamer School of Business hosted a Global Business Expo on Tuesday providing students with opportunities to discover international programs at Baylor, meet faculty leaders and enjoy free snacks and prizes.
Student entrepreneurs win $40,500 in scholarship money at Riata Business Plan Competition
The Riata Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship concluded the annual Riata Business Plan Competition on Jan. 30, awarding a total of $40,500 in scholarship money to finalists.
Students’ skills and interest in science tumble in first post-COVID-19 test
The 74 reports that U.S. eighth graders' science skills and interest have declined post-COVID, with proficiency falling from 33% to 29%.
Crockett Intermediate Students Shine at Annual Science Fair
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1770137038103{padding-top: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 25px !important;}"]Students at Crockett Intermediate School recently demonstrated creativity, critical…
Skyhawk Sports Talk: Season 3, Episode 21
"Skyhawk Sports Talk" provides the most complete in-depth coverage of all Skyhawk athletic teams, including live weekly interviews with coaches and student-a...
Read AI dating app Ditto's pitch deck: $9.2 million seed
Ditto, an AI matchmaking service for college students, raised millions as it expand to more college campuses.
In Memoriam: Dr. Edgar J. McCullough, Jr.
In memory of Dr. Edgar J. McCullough, Jr., a distinguished scholar and educator, the college’s first dean, and a deeply respected humanitarian whose life’s work touched countless students, colleagues and communities.
University Of Science And Technology, Korea Offers Fully Funded Scholarships
Study In South Korea: Students planning to pursue higher education in South Korea can apply for the UST Scholarship 2026.
Mizzou Athletics, Missouri Orthopedic Institute, MU Health Care Form Advanced Medical Partnership to Care for Student-Athletes - University of Missouri Athletics
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Athletics, Missouri Orthopedic Institute, and MU Health Care have announced a landmark collaboration that will significantly enhance m...
American high school student stuns scientists by mapping 1.5 million previously unknown space objects - Futura-Sciences
A young mind builds an AI breakthrough Matteo Paz, a student at Pasadena High School, joined the Planet Finder Academy in the summer of 2022. The program immerses students in real world astronomy challenges. Under the mentorship of Caltech scientist Davy Kirkpatrick at the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center (IPAC),...
High school sports bills would allow middle schoolers to compete; regulate name, image and likeness
On Monday, members of the public shared their thoughts on two bills that would change high school sports rules in Nebraska. The Unicameral’s Education Committee heard testimony on LB742, which would allow seventh and eighth grade students to compete on high school sports teams.
Two GCPS Students named Regeneron Science Scholars
Two Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) students have been named 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholars.
The Value of the Mays MBA is Higher Than Ever - Mays Business School News
As Mays Full-Time MBA students graduated in December, each one walked the stage with confidence, pride, and a job offer in hand. While recent reporting from The Wall Street Journal and The Economist highlights decreasing
From nutrition student to women’s health, a winding path finds purpose
Sydney Heck '21 found her way to the Department of Nutrition at Texas A&M, and eventually, her calling to be a women's health nurse.
Scholars application open to health professions students
The WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health and the West Virginia Area Health Education Centers are accepting applications for the WV AHEC Rural Community Health Scholars program. The deadline to apply for early admission is March 31.
Finding purpose in public health
With support from the Hawkeye Experience Grant, University of Iowa public health student Aden Baldridge gained hands-on experience in South Africa that has played a key role in his education and career goals.
Manatee Regional Science & Engineering Fair Results - Celebrating Student Innovation & Excellence
We were proud to recognize more than 100 outstanding middle and high school students from 13 Manate...
Hopkinton Today for Monday, Feb. 2: HHS students gear up for Science and Engineering Fair on Wednesday
Good morning, Hopkinton! Welcome to the daily update we call Hopkinton Today — a quick recap of yesterday’s news, highlights of what’s on tap, and a photo
7,000-plus Huskers named to Deans’ List for fall 2025
More than 7,000 Husker students have been named to the Deans’ List for the fall semester of the 2025-26 academic year.
Anchorage parents, students react to potential sports cuts amid ASD budget snag
Anchorage School District superintendent Dr. Jharrett Bryantt’s announcement Friday about its impending $90 million deficit included a myriad of proposed cuts - many of which are athletics.
UF Health patients left confused, frustrated after gender-affirming care ban
The SHCC encouraged students utilizing gender-affirming care to seek alternative health care providers. It offered assistance in finding alternative providers and transferring medical records.
UVA student business-owners take on icy parking lots
Seeing the need for snow and ice removal services, UVA student business-owners took up the task.
Girls Lead the Way at Assumption Catholic School Science Fair
Eighth grade students finished off the year by showcasing their creativity and scientific aptitude during Assumption Catholic School’s annual Science Fair. Held on Dec. 11, the fair granted...
STEM students gather on campus to participate in annual Science Olympiad
Middle and high schoolers from around the country traveled to Purdue’s campus for the invitational competition of the Science Olympiad. Students participated in events, practicals, and exams on various STEM-related topics to prepare for further competitions and expand their scientific expertise.
Elmore County District Science Fair Draws Record Middle School Participation, Advances Students To Regionals - Elmore-Autauga News
Amanda Pevey
As politics roil the nation, Oregon students compete to make sense of the U.S. Constitution and find solutions
Nearly 200 high schoolers participated in the civic championship at Multnomah County Courthouse with federal judges among those evaluating their constitutional knowledge.
MU Health physician hosts event to inspire next generation of health care workers
Students took a tour of the facility, listened to clinician-led lectures and participated in hands-on workshops.
Nevada Science Bowl to crown new champions for national competition
The 2026 Nevada Science Bowl took place on Jan. 31 at the College of Southern Nevada, North Las Vegas campus, featuring 24 teams from 20 high schools.Students
Takeaways from Tallahassee
FSU students, fans and alumni can say, without blinking, ‘we are the best’: the Honors Program.
Student scientists share findings at 25th High School Science & Engineering Fair
Three hundred students from Westfield HIgh School and Westfield Technical Academy presented their science and engineering projects in the WHS auditorium to over 100 judges; scientists, industry professionals and educators with backgrounds in science and engineering at the 25th annual High School Science and Engineering Fair on Jan. 29.
Boxers go back to school to inspire today's pupils
The York athletes spoke to students about balancing their education with sport and following dreams.
Fresno protests, student walkouts and business closures mark nationwide strike against ICE
A nationwide strike brought protests, student walkouts and business closures to Fresno as demonstrators voiced opposition to the Trump Administration's immigration crackdown.
Local business owners use one-day boycott to protest federal immigration actions
At least 15 Phoenix-area businesses and several student groups joined a national "ICE Out" boycott to protest Trump administration immigration enforcement.
UVM business students gain workforce experience through new program
The Grossman School of Business has launched a semester-long program that puts students in full-time positions with partner companies.
Sport management practicum gives UMaine students executive-level experience
When Colby Winship enrolled in the Sport Management Practicum at the University of Maine, he knew he was entering a course designed to operate like the professional world. After all, practicum experiences at the Maine Business School are built to move beyond lectures and case studies. This semester, that meant…
Medical sciences bachelor’s program prepares students for graduate programs - UT Health San Antonio
The Bachelor of Science in Medical Sciences program, offered through the School of Health Professions, provides a rigorous science curriculum, clinical practicums and personalized support to help students prepare their applications to graduate medical, dental, physician assistant and other health science professional degree programs.
Public Health Student Association nurtures connection across disciplines - UT Health San Antonio
The Public Health Student Association at the Kate Marmion School of Public Health provides students a supportive, inclusive environment that encourages learning, professional development and networking opportunities.
Oregon businesses and students join general strike Friday to protest immigration enforcement
Multiple nationwide organizations are calling for businesses to close and people to walk out of school and work to protest mass deportations and violence against demonstrators.
Unified sports programs bring together athletes for more than wins and losses
At Minnesota schools, special needs students and those in general education bond in the arena of competition
Bouncy balls and beyond: Collaborative project connects science with community
Through “Mission: Materials Science,” a long-running outreach initiative supported by Penn State’s U.S. National Science Foundation–funded Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, graduate students from across disciplines have partnered with museum educators and media professionals to transform materials science research into free, hands-on learning activities.
Science Fair spotlights student talent in STEM
The Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance Science Fair, returning Feb. 12, is an annual event that not only inspires young minds in Green Country but also showcases the potential of Oklahoma’s
SkyLake Adventures teams with Butler Institute for Sports and Entertainment
Under the partnership, Butler University students will receive real-life experience in hospitality and entertainment, and real-life experiences and practical skills in marketing, social media and communications.
California’s health care workforce crisis is a policy choice
“California should redouble our own state investments in health care workforce pathways and financial support for students.”
Joan Esmie MS ’26 Named PAEA Student Health Policy Fellow
Reflecting Ithaca College’s Commitment to Community-Minded Leadership
CU Athletics Announces Partnership with Sports Business Ventures to Launch 1:1 Sports Executive Mentorship Program - University of Colorado Athletics
The Scripps Student-Athlete Leadership and Career Development program is excited to announce a new partnership with Sports Business Ventures (SBV) to launch ...
CU Athletics Announces Partnership with Sports Business Ventures to Launch 1:1 Sports Executive Mentorship Program - University of Colorado Athletics
The Scripps Student-Athlete Leadership and Career Development program is excited to announce a new partnership with Sports Business Ventures (SBV) to launch ...
James Perkins named interim executive director of Auxiliary and Business Services
Perkins ’92 will provide functional oversight to Auxiliary and Business Services, leading the unit’s operations that support and enhance campus life for students, faculty and staff, alumni, and visitors.
Opinion: Colorado’s plan to cut sexual health education funding would erase real gains for rural students
The statewide program is a key element in Colorado’s commitment to support the mental health and well-being of our young people.
Student sport finals to come to Coventry
The major university sporting competition will see thousands of student athletes visit Coventry.
ACU Sports Podcast: Wildcat Annual Fund Director Anthony Egbo
Anthony Egbo, former ACU football player and current director of the Wildcat Annual Fund, talks about ACU Athletics' unique approach to philanthropy, what to expect for ACU Gives, and shares stories of how ACU has impacted student-athletes' lives even if they are only a Wildcat for a year or two.
Winners of 2026 Southwest Wyoming Regional Science Fair Announced
ROCK SPRINGS — Western Wyoming Community College hosted 68 students from five different schools participating in the Southwest Wyoming Regional Science Fair Jan. 22. “The science fair gives students statewide a chance to showcase their scientific creativity and ingenuity. We deeply appreciate the participating students and the teachers and families who support them,” David Tanner,
‘I touch the future. I teach.’: A science teacher’s quest to honor Christa McAuliffe
Former Goffstown High School science teacher Phil Browne recalls how he tried to preserve McAuliffe’s legacy with his students.
’Canes Science Bowl brings STEM education to more students
University of Miami student Sabrina Cuba and graduate Alberti Regalado started the ’Canes Science Bowl to build an interest in STEM education in current ’Canes and pre-college education students. Adriana Gonzalez and Aaliyah Davis, the new ’Cane Science Bowl presidents, are keeping the dream alive. They will host the annual spring ’Canes Science Bowl with
‘Trust, love, commitment’: Esteemed business leaders and former Notre Dame football student-athletes reflect on how to be champions of hope at Walk the Walk Week event
On Monday (Jan. 26), two distinguished business leaders and former Notre Dame football student-athletes — Tracy Graham ’95 and Byron Spruell...
🧪 Science with Sarah: Graham Cracker Plate Tectonics 🌋
Hello parents, teachers and students! Explore our shifting Earth on a mantle of frosting
Meet The Imperial Business School MBA Class Of 2026
An in-depth look into the personal and professional lives of 12 students from this year’s Imperial College Business School Class of 2026.
Investment and Statecraft: The International Politics of Sovereign Wealth Funds - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
In 1953, Kuwait established the world’s first sovereign wealth fund to invest the country’s oil revenues and generate returns that would reduce its reliance on a single resource. Since then, over 100 separate funds have been created to preserve national wealth and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. Today, they manage over $10 trillion in global assets. In this discussion with GJIA, political economist Kathryn Lavelle explains the increasingly novel dynamics that surround fund behavior and what the world can come to expect from their growing presence in international financial markets. GJIA: When it comes to the roles sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) play in global markets and politics, what would you say makes them unique? Kathryn Lavelle: Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) operate on behalf of governments as investors. That in itself is a strange relationship. Within them, a core contest takes place between the state’s interests (or sovereign) part of the dynamic, and the money interests (or wealth) part of it, and these two aspects are frequently in contradiction, serving fundamentally different goals. SWFs are also quite fascinating because when you talk to the people who manage these funds, they have an interest in convincing you that the decisions are made almost exclusively on a financial basis—they really will go to great lengths to differentiate their government owners and those who make the management decisions. At the same time, these people ultimately answer to someone in power. Therefore, for most SWFs, it remains deeply unclear who is actually making the investment decisions and for what purposes. Of course, it is not always clear how other vehicles, such as hedge funds and private equity make the decisions they do, but I think what a lot of people find particularly disconcerting about SWFs is that they seem to act on behalf of people who have a different identity from their own. People who could be trying to manipulate politics and markets in a way that would have a long-term effect on their own populations. Regular investors come and go at will, and they only share an interest in profit as far as most of us understand. However, SWFs have that extra “sovereign” part right behind them that obscures their true interest. GJIA: These funds can be found in countries all across the globe, in both authoritarian states and democracies. Would you say SWFs differ in their goals and structures between regime-type? KL: It is not necessarily regime type that makes the goals and structures of SWFs different. It has to do with their economies. Let’s look at a country like China. There’s going to be a debate about exactly how to characterize the regime, but it is a country with many different kinds of sovereign wealth funds, and a particularly opaque state connection to each. At one time, some of the state-owned Chinese oil companies created specialized investment vehicles listed outside Chinese markets that excluded parts of the firms that were more associated with human rights violations. At the same time, the China Investment Corporation (CIC)—China’s largest SWF—draws a lot of concern, not necessarily because of its investment activities, but because of the dynamics of global politics. So, I wouldn’t really tie differences to regime types themselves in a wholesale way, but rather to how such funds are perceived and how they are structured. Saudi Arabia’s SWF is getting all kinds of attention for its involvement in Hollywood, and this takes me right back to when I was a student in the 1980s, when people were concerned about Japanese investment entities buying assets in Hollywood. They aren’t quite the same in financial terms, but it’s the same kind of concern about foreign investment that drives people to be suspicious, and the whole idea that “foreigners are influencing Hollywood.” This holds true across industries, and it reflects where politics are in places like the United States right now. One metric we can try to look at is transparency, where all the funds will tell you, “we are transparent.” The problem you’ll keep running into with this approach is how you value things. When trying to do comparative studies of equity markets, you’ll find that every country doesn’t use Generally Accepted Accounting Principles like we do in the United States. A fund may appear opaque politically and not want people to show what they’re invested in or what their intent with that investment is, but they could also just not be able to report it because of the way it was purchased, or the kinds of shares they purchased. There are some assets out there that really are difficult to put a monetary value on. GJIA: To what extent do domestic politics shape SWF behavior in both the investing “home” country and the recipient “host” country? KL: This depends on the type of fund present and also on the extent to which voters’ political views are able to influence the fund. For example, in a democratic home state like Norway, the SWF doesn’t invest in nuclear weapons or tobacco because of social concerns, but there is a continuing debate over whether it should invest in oil, even though that’s where most of the money comes from. The degree to which Norway will continue to make those investments, and whether they contradict the government’s overall climate goals, is an open question in Norwegian politics. Because of the way the fund’s governance is structured, it may not be easy to resolve. On the other hand, some people consider pension funds, like the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) in Ohio, to be quasi-SWF. They have a very strict separation between the people who make up the management division and the fund owners. No teacher or professor would want to invest in things that may harm the future of their students. At the same time, a fund manager might see an opportunity in a diversified multinational corporation that offers a good return, despite it deriving part of its revenue from e-cigarettes. These contests are very apparent. Domestic politics can work in host countries too. A good example is Singapore’s SWF, Temasek, investing in Thailand’s telecommunications sector. If you study political economy, you already know that countries everywhere are uncomfortable with foreign ownership of their telecom sectors because a foreign entity could monitor or manipulate our communications with each other. In the case of Temasek, there was significant pushback from Thai citizens surrounding the deal, which went on to influence national political sentiment toward Singapore as a whole, underscoring the risks some SWFs may face with their investment choices. In this case, fund behavior led to the dissolution of the entire Thai government in 2006 and a subsequent coup d’état. GJIA: To address some of this unease, the Santiago Principles were established in 2009 to ostensibly promote trust and transparency. From your perspective, have these mechanisms actually changed fund behavior? KL: In international relations theory, we always like to have a clear set of norms and best practices—the orientation we want the proverbial ship to be going in. In that regard, the Santiago Principles at least got the discussion going about which direction SWFs should take at a time when people were very skittish about the growing size of these funds. Nobody wanted them to be out there and potentially destabilizing economies, so talks about disclosure, conditions for withdrawal, and the independence of managers were helpful when initiated. The biggest stumbling block was that there wasn’t exactly a good way to measure compliance with the Principles, let alone how to hold funds to them. If you read the Principles, they’re overall quite vague. In general, a fund doesn’t want to reveal how and why they make certain investment decisions because that information is proprietary—a fund makes money off of how and why it makes decisions—so how do you reconcile that with loosely-defined ideas of openness? Some decisions might have a political purpose. The bottom line is that trying to figure out and assign a score to compliance is not easy, and it is therefore the reason why the Santiago Principles never really got off the ground to the point where they could truly direct fund behavior. GJIA: Many emerging markets are looking to build their own SWFs from mineral and oil revenues. Historically, have funds shaped development trajectories in these countries? KL: I think the big story in international emerging markets investment is that the investment is increasingly no longer unidirectional. In the past multinational corporations of primarily Western background were the main form of foreign direct investment in a country. That has changed dramatically, to the point where you have companies from so-called “developing countries” taking over companies in the United States. Therefore, the landscape of international investment has changed, and I think SWFs are certainly a possibility to be the next step in the game. Historically, you didn’t need an entire financial vehicle to reinvest commodity revenues in your country, but as emerging markets get more financially sophisticated, their capacity to operate such funds has increased. SWFs would allow treasuries to move from relying on holding foreign exchange assets like cash or government bonds to having broader financial markets and targeted growth areas, while easing pressure on welfare expenditures. GJIA: With their increasing financial weight, do you see the presence of SWFs being a factor in the political choices leaders will have to make with regard to domestic and foreign policy? KL: It will depend on just how big the funds get. One of the reasons people are already apprehensive is because of their scale, and if certain SWFs in certain countries achieve a large-enough size, the presence will absolutely be cause for concern. The other factor political leaders will have to consider are their objectives. It’s not always clear how to define a SWF, or even where its activity is concentrated, but it is certainly a worry from the perspective of national security of opaque external investment. More than that, I think one of the most interesting questions going forward is whether the United States, the home to the world’s largest financial markets, will develop its own fund, for which the Trump administration announced a plan. There have also been several proposals in Congress. Were it to come into being, it would have tremendous weight. At the same time, one of the hallmarks of U.S. capitalism is a lack of government ownership of shares, so it would not be clear how such a fund would be received in domestic politics, or which direction it would take. Given how politically fragmented the country is, a Democratic administration would likely be concerned about different sectors of the economy, such as healthcare, and want investment there, rather than a Republican administration, which might prefer defense industries. No investment vehicle could thrive under conditions of such instability. Moreover, it remains unclear where the money to fund a theoretical U.S. SWF would come from. It would be a fundamentally different entity depending on whether it is financed with debt, economic surplus, commodities, or the sale of state companies, as in the case of Singapore. If it is debt, or government borrowing of some form, then the fund would have to outperform whatever the cost of that debt is, which is not an easy thing to do. I think our political leaders have enough on their plate. Our system has worked well keeping political and investment functions generally separate. We have seen different forms of business rise and fall, and even the perception of different countries, all of which funds are tied to. Unless a major SWF either starts—like in the case of the United States—or collapses—an issue that concerns the Saudis, I don’t see any political tsunamis on the horizon. . . . Kathryn Lavelle is the Ellen and Dixon Long Professor of World Affairs at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Her research explores the exchange between domestic and international and political institutions with a particular emphasis on political economy and multilateralism. Dr. Lavelle’s first book, The Politics of Equity Finance in Emerging Markets, explored the political circumstances that surround large issues of stock in the developing world. After being granted tenure at Case Western, she was awarded an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship and named the William A. Steiger fellow, a designation given to the most promising political scientist in her class of fellows. While in Washington during 2006-2007, she worked on the staff of the House Committee on Financial Services on issues related to domestic and international monetary policy. Dr. Lavelle holds a PhD in political science from Northwestern University; an M.A. in government and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia; and a bachelor’s degree in international economics from Georgetown University. She is a permanent member of the New York Council on Foreign Relations. This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and length. Interview conducted by Sid Mehrotra. Image Credit: Jason Leung, Unsplash Content Licenses, via Unsplash