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:
Not your typical paleontologist: USC alum takes pride in breaking molds
After earning her PhD in Earth sciences from USC Dornsife, Jingmai O’Connor has carved out an award-winning career as a paleontologist in China.
An increasing number of Americans don’t believe in protecting racist speech
USC researchers have found that Americans’ tolerance for harmful and undermining racist speech has declined, particularly among younger people, liberals and the college educated.
As the black church shifts toward gender equality, USC lends faith communities a guiding hand
After the explosive impact of #MeToo, concerns about the #ChurchToo movement have inspired USC Dornsife’s Center for Religion and Civic Culture to assist in reshaping the patriarchal culture of the African American church.
Sunken pleasure boats reveal the hidden history of California and beyond
USC undergraduates are helping to preserve a vital part of California’s heritage by documenting sunken vessels at the recently created underwater trail in Lake Tahoe’s Emerald Bay.
Michael Appleman, devoted teacher and celebrated biochemist, 85
The university mourns the distinguished author, researcher and professor who spent more than 35 years at USC Dornsife.
How Dad inspired me: Professors reflect on their fathers’ influence
With Father’s Day on our minds, seven USC faculty members share touching stories of how their dads helped shape who they are today.
USC faculty members receive Guggenheim Fellowships
USC Dornsife’s Susanna Berger of art history and Robin Coste Lewis of English have been selected from among nearly 3,000 applicants.
Unpacking the mysteries of beatboxing: Linguists and engineers team up
Beatboxers expertly manipulate their vocal tracts to make sounds unknown in any language. Through the use of cutting-edge MRIs, USC researchers plan to find out how they do it.
Meet Trojan Tara Campbell, California’s youngest-ever female mayor
Alumna was elected mayor of her hometown, Yorba Linda, at the age of 25, just two years after graduating.
Scientists use satellite technology to detect and ultimately prevent genocide
At USC Dornsife’s Spatial Sciences Institute, Andrew Marx uses satellites and data such as crowdsourced mapping to analyze and inform human migration and refugee policy.
Shedding light on the short- and long-term effects of detention, deportation
USC doctoral student Blanca Ramirez researches how families cope when a parent is detained or deported by immigration authorities.
Human trafficking research shows problem looks the same, whether in U.S. or Middle East
As National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is marked Jan. 11, USC Dornsife scholars explore the worldwide abuse of migrant workers that subjects millions to misery, injustice and poverty.
Students get insights into inner workings of the nation’s legal system
Undergrads with an eye on careers in law get a head start by taking USC Dornsife’s advanced course in legal writing.
Children hear from people on the front lines of cancer research, prevention and treatment
USC Dornsife’s Young Scientist Program hosts workshops at L.A. elementary schools to reduce the fear of cancer and encourage the pursuit of science.
Ellis Meng, Michael Waterman elected fellows of the National Academy of Inventors
USC faculty members were two of 148 academic inventors selected this year.
The true meaning of ‘Armistice Day’ — a commitment to peace
As the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I approaches Sunday, USC sociologist Michael Messner talks about his research into veterans who now advocate for peace.
Prime minister of Spain gives inspiring speech at USC during historic state visit
Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón gives a President’s Distinguished Lecture and meets with USC Dornsife dean and faculty.
For USC Dornsife’s writer-in-residence, a ‘gap year’ adventure changed everything
After years of unpacking his bags, author and globetrotter Geoff Dyer discovers that the journey can be as important as the destination.
On Women’s Equality Day, is there reason to celebrate?
Despite unprecedented gains in recent decades, significant challenges and threats remain: “It’s not time for a feminist victory lap.”
USC helps teachers from around the U.S. get rare access to colonial era history
The USC-Huntington Early Modern Studies Institute inspires 35 middle and high school teachers to teach students about the latest scholarship on the early American experience.
It’s Friday the 13th: Are you feeling unlucky?
From numbers to colors, superstitions vary dramatically from culture to culture. For this Friday the 13th, USC Dornsife faculty trace what we share and how we differ in what we believe brings us good luck — and bad.
Biojet fuel developed by alumnus reduces airlines’ carbon footprint
Derived from a mustard-like oilseed, the fuel also increases food production and helps farmers make a profit.
Premodern life and the tough old days of dyeing, weaving and smelting
USC Dornsife offers an offbeat course giving Trojans hands-on experience in age-old skills — and no matches are allowed.
Disease detective tracks bats — and possible rabies or Ebola — in a cave
Globetrotting doctor has trekked through the Nigerian rainforest and scaled 40-foot-high boulders to combat infectious diseases.