Susan Bell
Susan Bell is USC Dornsife’s senior writer. She covers a wide variety of USC Dornsife-related news from research to the humanities and is a contributing features writer for USC Dornsife Magazine. An internationally published journalist, she has written extensively on French politics and culture for The Times of London, The Sunday Telegraph and The Sunday Times. Her articles have also been published in Wallpaper, Marie-Claire and The Los Angeles Times. Interests include architecture, design, history and photography.
Stories by Susan Bell:
In memoriam: former USC professor John Wesley Robb, 98
The charismatic professor of religion who was instrumental in bringing Martin Luther King Jr. to speak at USC was fondly nicknamed “J. Wesley God” by generations of students who clamored to take his popular “Human Values” course.
Pink for boys and blue for girls: the colorful history of things designed for kids
Whether it’s clothes, toys, books or schools, the designs tell students a lot about marketing and childhood.
Does technology fuel polarization in the current political climate?
Experts gather at USC to talk fake news, the regulation of social media and more.
Can a nuclear war with North Korea be avoided?
Amid escalating bilateral tensions, USC Dornsife experts discuss the risk of nuclear war with North Korea and evaluate deterrents.
Monsters on our minds: What our fascination with frightful creatures says about us
USC’s Leo Braudy looks at the current obsession with vampires, zombies and more in shows like The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones.
Viet Nguyen wins prestigious MacArthur Foundation award
The “genius grant” honors the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and professor, whose groundbreaking work has enabled Americans and others to view the Vietnam War from more balanced perspectives.
In memoriam: Alfred Fischer, 96, prominent geologist
Professor emeritus became a world leader in sedimentary geology and a devoted teacher whose 1952 book on paleontology endured for more than six decades.
Alumnus turns to photography amid the peace and beauty of Buddhist culture in Bhutan
Dentist Barry Shaffer shoots striking pictures in the Himalayas — a land of ancient monasteries and sweeping vistas.
Lessons from afar help alum gain international business expertise — to share
Julian Leuthold credits his success to an open-minded approach when first visiting India, the country that has become a second home.
Artist Enrique Martínez Celaya named first Provost Professor of Humanities and Arts at USC
The poet, philosopher and scholar will lead conversations with students on artistic expression.
Young minds meet new technology at STEM-focused after-school program
USC’s Joint Educational Project introduces fourth- and fifth-graders to virtual reality, 3-D printing and drones.
From quesadillas to pupusas: Students eat up Latino culture
USC Dornsife’s Sarah Portnoy teaches the Spanish language by tracing the culinary history of L.A.’s Grand Central Market.
Three USC professors honored as 2017 Guggenheim Fellows
Daniel Lidar, Cheryl Mattingly and Viet Thanh Nguyen receive prestigious fellowships to pursue research and literary projects.
USC poet’s work conveys a passion for the macabre
Anna Journey takes a walk on the dark side in poems and essays about graveyards, infidelities and tattoos.
Nobel laureate Sir Angus Deaton named a Presidential Professor
The distinguished economist has been described as an ‘optimistic defender of globalization.’
In memoriam: Nobel laureate George Olah, 89
The lauded USC scientist, who helped shape the development of organic chemistry in the second half of the 20th century, played a major role in establishing USC as a notable center of advanced hydrocarbon chemistry and proposing the methanol economy.
Students find solutions for USC campus sustainability
Trojans think creatively about the environment, presenting their ideas in an annual contest as part of a political science course.
Viet Thanh Nguyen’s latest work looks at how different countries remember Vietnam War
Nothing Ever Dies is a nonfiction follow-up to his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Sympathizer.
USC students Skype with their favorite authors
Undergrads find inspiration by talking to best-selling writers in a contemporary prose class.
In memoriam: Bosco Tjan, 50
Renowned for pioneering research in visual cognition and perception, he was a devoted teacher and a beloved professor of psychology.
USC Dornsife, nonprofit help youngsters boost their literacy skills
Fifth-grade students accept the challenge to read from a Harry Potter book in front of a large crowd at the Galen Center.
More than 1 billion people are at risk for this skin disease: Have you heard of it?
Graduate student at USC’s Spatial Sciences Institute wants to boost awareness for a disease caused by a parasitic flea.
Arctic research brings science alive for youngsters
USC alumna draws on undersea studies to inspire students from the USC Family of Schools.
Guatemala stay prepares undergrads for health care challenges in the U.S.
USC Dornsife course set in Central America teaches a dozen students about health, disease, language and culture.