KQED's Forum

The University of California, which publishes about 10 percent of the country's scientific research, paid more than $10 million in 2018 to access and publish its own research in scientific journals owned by the publisher Elsevier. Now, UC is taking the lead on a push for "open access" content, which would make publicly-funded research free and immediately accessible to the public. We'll discuss what the conflict between UC and Elsevier reveals about the scientific publishing industry and changes that may be on the horizon.

A concerted effort to keep parents in the know about their children's academic performance has pushed many schools to adopt online or "open" grade books. The thinking goes that weekly or even daily updates on a student's performance can lead to intervention before academic problems become crises. But some parents and mental health experts warn that these online tools may be doing more harm than good by over-emphasizing grades, discouraging risk taking and causing kids stress. If you're at school that uses online grade books, we'd like to hear about your experience.

San Francisco-based Wells Fargo has agreed to pay $575 million to resolve multiple investigations into misconduct at the bank, including inquiries stemming from the 2016 revelation that bank employees were opening accounts for customers without their knowledge. The agreement, reached at the end of 2018, awards money to all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with California receiving nearly $149 million. We'll hear the details of the settlement and check in on the bank.

Many cultures associate turtles with longevity, fertility and wisdom, but author Peter Laufer’s new book “Dreaming in Turtle” explains that human fascination has placed the creatures under great strain. Despite being revered by some, turtles are poached for use as food, ornaments, aphrodisiacs and pets. “Dreaming in Turtle” takes readers across the globe for an in-depth look at a creature that connects us to the dinosaurs. Laufer writes in the book that “everyone has a turtle story.”

Forum reviews, analyzes and answers your questions about the latest news from Washington D.C.

Oscar Grant's death at the hands of a BART police officer in the early hours of New Year's Day 2009 shook the Bay Area. The shooting garnered national attention in large part because a video of the shooting was captured by bystanders. Recorded on cellphones, the grainy videos went viral and shifted the national conversation about police accountability and racism. But how much has changed in the 10 years since Grant's death? From the rise of Black Lives Matter to Charlottesville, Forum looks back at how policing, citizen journalism and our understanding of race has changed in the last decade.

In the early hours of January 1, 2009, Oscar Grant, an unarmed black man, was fatally shot at Oakland's Fruitvale Station by a BART Police officer. His death sparked widespread outrage and grief around the Bay Area. Grant's untimely death also galvanized many, including his family, activists and artists to take action.

If you still haven't settled how to ring in the New Year, we’ll get tips on last minute planning with Bay Area bargain expert Johnny Funcheap. And we want to hear from you: What great ideas do you have for New Year's Eve? What are the best New Year's Day activities after a late night?

In the 1970s and ‘80s, the best photos of Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and other African-American singers were by Bruce Talamon. Working for publications like “Soul,” “Jet,” “Ebony,” and record labels, Talamon took images that captured the essence of the singers’ lives both on stage and off. On this segment of Forum, we speak with Talamon about his new book, “Bruce W. Talamon. Soul. R&B. Funk. Photographs 1972-1982.” Like the singers he chronicled, Talamon’s images are iconic. He got to know his subjects in highly personal ways and his photos reflect these moments of insight and inspiration.

From stricter gun control legislation, to women on the boards of publicly traded companies, hundreds of new California laws will take effect in 2019. KQED's Guy Marzorati helps us navigate the most noteworthy state laws.

The National Audubon Society's Annual Christmas Bird Count is the longest-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations which helps guide conservation action. Every year for over a century, tens of thousands of volunteers take part. Co-founder of Sonoma Birding, Tom Rusert, launched the Christmas Bird Count for Kids in 2008 as a way to train future generations in birding and celebrating nature. We'll hear how birds are faring in Northern California habitats post-wildfire, and learn about efforts to revive the activity of birding.

It seems everywhere we turn, we are reminded about something we could better: eat healthier, work smarter, learn faster. Heather Havrilesky sees this insatiable need for improvement up-close: she herself writes the popular "Ask Polly" advice column for The Cut. In her new collection of essays, "What if This Were Enough?" Havrilesky breaks down the larger cultural forces behind the drive for perfection and urges us to find fulfillment in the flawed moment. Tell us: what imperfection about yourself or your life have you learned to accept?

Immigration dominated the headlines in 2018. News about family separation, asylum policy and the deployment of U.S. troops prompted intense debate and provoked numerous lawsuits. In this segment of Forum, we discuss what happened in immigration news in 2018 and what might be ahead in the new year.

It's time for Forum's annual holiday books show! Listeners and New York Times Book Review editor Pamela Paul share their favorite books of 2018.

Israeli author Yuval Noah Harari rose to international prominence with his bestseller "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind." His new book, "21 Lessons for the 21st Century," is a plea for humans to address our most pressing problems. Chief among them, Harari writes, may be the convergence of biotechnology and artificial intelligence, which has turned humans into "hackable animals." Harari joins us to talk about the book and to take your questions.