In this issue, learn how to make climate change graphics work for you and not against you, discover why it’s a bad idea to let AI call all the shots and see what’s shaking with the latest earthquake hazard model.

Graphics can powerfully convey information, yet a USC-led study discovered that graphics designed for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) were overly complex, even for policymakers.

Why it matters: Readers often engage with graphics first, and overly complex graphics make climate science harder to understand.

How it works: USC Dornsife Public Exchange, collaborating with the United Nations Foundation, assembled a team of USC behavioral scientists.

Key takeaway: The policymakers thought the graphics contained too much information, making their message unclear.

In her words: “Because climate experts want to be accurate and complete, they tend to cram too much information into their graphics,” explained Wändi Bruine de Bruin of psychology at USC Dornsife and the study’s lead author.

The solution: Researchers recommended that each graphic focus on one key message.

Go deeper: The researchers developed a checklist for designing more effective graphs for IPCC communications.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly making decisions on our behalf, but USC Dornsife’s Joe Árvai, an expert in the science of decision-making, cautions against automating everyday choices.

Why it matters: People prefer making minimal mental effort in decision-making and often like having seemingly good choices made for them. Letting AI make those decisions could diminish human autonomy and decision-making skills.

Problem: AI’s process takes place behind the scenes, presenting answers that lack necessary context and deliberation.

Solution: While making thoughtful decisions isn’t inherently difficult, the process is not intuitive and requires practice and self-discipline.

Thoughtful decision-making involves three common sense steps, according to Árvai:

In his words: “Indeed, we owe it to ourselves to resist the siren’s call of AI and take back ownership of the true privilege — and responsibility — of being human: being able to think and choose for ourselves,” Árvai writes.

A new, national earthquake hazard model is available, thanks in large part to USC Dornsife’s Statewide California Earthquake Center (SCEC).

Why it matters: Improved earthquake hazard assessment informs building codes and insurance rates, better equipping communities to prepare for seismic events.

The U.S. Geological Survey’s National Seismic Hazard Model helps engineers, policymakers and government agencies assess the risk of damage from earthquakes.

The model includes two main components:

USC Dornsife alumnus Kevin Milner was a SCEC researcher when he helped build the new model by developing earthquake rupture forecasts.

What’s next: Milner, now at the USGS, hopes to study earthquakes that begin in one fault and jump to another — the type that slammed Turkey and Syria in 2023 — and build models that account for the time elapsed since a previous event.

The Office of Sustainability offers an online course that engages faculty and staff in sustainable practices both on and off campus. Visit the USC Sustainability site to learn more about the course and how to become more sustainable.

Learn ideas and get inspiration for incorporating sustainability and experiential learning across the curriculum. 

Attend a two-day conference that explores the multifaceted concept of craft in the early modern period.

Sign-up to receive NewsRound, a weekly listing of news stories featuring USC Dornsife scholars.

“The more it looks like he is hitching his wagon to Russia, the less legitimate his regime seems and the more likely they are to increase their popularity among Tajiks.”

The New York Times quoted Steve Swerdlow of political science and international relations for the article “An ISIS Terror Group Draws Half Its Recruits From Tiny Tajikistan.”

“But I do worry that this is going to make it a lot harder for people who are already struggling to put food on the table.”

KNBC-TV quoted Kayla de la Haye of psychology for the article “‘99 Cents Only Stores’ closures could affect families facing food insecurity in LA County.”

“Being deeper and smaller would be expected to make a fair difference.”

The Wall Street Journal interviewed John Vidale of Earth sciences for the article “How Taiwan Escaped Catastrophe in Massive Earthquake.”

On topics ranging from wars to the upcoming U.S. elections, USC Dornsife scholars regularly provide context to the world's major events by sharing their expertise and research to news organizations.

USC has an arrangement with Enterprise Rent-a-Car to provide faculty and staff discounted rates on car rentals for business or personal use. Enjoy the convenience of their pickup service to rent with ease.