In this issue, find out how a professor is getting a true view of the destruction caused by the war in Ukraine, discover how an alumna’s history degree aids her career in genealogy, learn tips to develop healthier social media habits and hear about USC’s new game-changing quantum computing partnership.

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A USC Dornsife Earth scientist used publicly available satellite and military intelligence data to visualize the destruction in Ukraine resulting from the war with Russia.

Why it matters: The methods developed by the researchers enable anyone with the appropriate technical expertise to analyze public data and gain a true, unbiased understanding of a conflict’s impact, free of misinformation.

Social media has generated a wealth of detailed online information about the war in Ukraine, with an active community documenting aspects like troop movements and infrastructure damage.

Sylvain Barbot of Earth sciences and a team of researchers used this information, along with satellite data, to track the war.

In his words: “After they’ve bombarded enough stuff, the front line begins to move to the west and the Russian army advances through the crumbles. … It looks like cancer spreading throughout the body,” says Barbot.

Using satellite-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR), researchers followed the destruction of cities and how military tactics evolve over time.

Of note: Tracking the conflict with SAR revealed that other forms of open-source intelligence data weren’t always reliable.

Images captured by a satellite that is sensitive to artificial light gave the researchers a somber view of the conflict’s impact on the daily lives of Ukrainians.

To uncover family histories as a genealogist for Ancestry.com, USC Dornsife alumna Christina Copland ʼ18 uses her skills as a historian.

Why it matters: The skills gained through a history degree, such as the ability to contextualize how people lived in the past and accurately interpret primary (original) documents, can set the stage for a variety of rewarding careers.

Copland, who grew up in England, has had a long-time fascination with American politics and developed a particular interest in the influence of fundamental Christianity while working on her master’s degree in modern history at York University.

Nearing graduation, Copland delved into her own family history and quickly became captivated by genealogy, wondering how she could turn it into a career.

In her words: “At the interview, I sold myself as a candidate who was trained as a historian who could very quickly learn the specific skills I needed for that role. I think it was a good sales pitch,” said Copland.

As a professional genealogist at Ancestry.com, Copland helps clients build their family trees and overcome obstacles in genealogical research.

Word of advice: For those interested in a career in genealogy, Copland advises people to begin by researching their own family history.

The strategies social media companies use to keep users engaged may have negative consequences. USC Dornsife scholars provide guidance to foster a healthier relationship with social media.

Why it matters: The negative effects of apps such as Instagram and YouTube, particularly on young adults, are increasingly raising concerns among experts.

The challenge: Social media platforms deploy troublesome tactics to keep us hooked to our screens, says Julie Albright of USC Dornsife’s Master of Science in Applied Psychology program.

The solution: As many individuals try to reduce their personal or family usage on their own, the experts offer helpful tips.

In her words: “The research shows that if you even have a phone on the table, it’s like a drug. Part of your attention is on that phone and you’re not really paying attention to those around you,” says Albright.