![\"\"](\"https:\/\/now.fordham.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Buy-Now-Pay-Later.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nAmericans are increasingly turning to buy now, pay later services like Klarna and Affirm as financial pressures grow. High debt<\/a> and unemployment<\/a> levels, coupled with significant inflation, suggest the trend will persist, says Fordham\u2019s Giacomo Santangelo\u2014until it becomes unsustainable.<\/p>\n \u201cI expect the continuation of normalizing the idea of renting and buying on credit over spending money that we actually have,\u201d said Santangelo, a senior lecturer in economics and an expert <\/a>on affordability and inflation.<\/p>\n He said that although buying on credit is not new, developments such as Klarna\u2019s recent partnership<\/a> with DoorDash, which allows consumers to pay for takeout and groceries on credit, are taking things to another level.<\/p>\n \u201cThen you\u2019re making interest payments on things like Thanksgiving dinner. You\u2019re going to be making payments on that in January, February, March, maybe all the way to next Thanksgiving,\u201d he said. \u201cYou are literally borrowing from the future.\u201d<\/p>\n More borrowing will lead to untenable situations for many Americans, he said, \u201cwhether it\u2019s because their credit runs out or their patience runs out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt some point, people will be looking for refinance \u2018options\u2019 to deal with their overblown debt. We are already seeing defaults, and that will continue, if not grow.\u201d<\/p>\n Contact: Giacomo Santangelo, senior lecturer in economics, [email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n Classrooms \u2018Going Medieval\u2019: Analog Exams in an AI World<\/p>\n As generative AI becomes adept at drafting essays, some universities are turning to a centuries-old method to assess what students truly know. Professors are \u201cgoing medieval\u201d by reviving the viva voce\u2014the oral exam that dominated universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, and the University of Paris in medieval times. In these settings, students demonstrated their knowledge by debating, defending, and interrogating ideas in real time.<\/p>\n The shift underscores an enduring need for skills AI can\u2019t easily replace: thoughtful communication, flexible reasoning, and the ability to apply knowledge on the spot. Employers in many fields\u2014from policy to consulting to health care\u2014continue to value these human capacities, perhaps even more so as AI levels the playing field for other routine tasks.\u00a0<\/p>\n At Fordham, several faculty members are implementing oral exams and presentations. Matthew Caulfield, assistant professor of business law and ethics, has replaced his final essay with group oral exams and handwritten, in-person blue book tests.\u00a0<\/p>\n Caulfield says his students enjoy discussing their work with an expert. \u201cMy students often say it\u2019s edifying and, perhaps to a lesser extent, somewhat fun,\u201d Caulfield said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Expect to see more instructors adopting this analog approach to help students stand out in an AI-driven world.\u00a0<\/p>\n Contacts: Meg Konkel, senior director of Fordham\u2019s Center for Educational Innovation, [email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n Matthew Caulfield, assistant professor of business law and ethics, [email\u00a0protected]<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Getting Fit: The Rise of Zone 2\u00a0<\/p>\n One of the most notable shifts in fitness culture is a growing embrace of \u201cZone 2 training,\u201d or low-intensity, steady movement performed at a pace where you can still hold a conversation. This more moderate approach to working out is gaining recognition for its wide-ranging benefits, particularly for heart health, the joints, and long-term sustainability.<\/p>\n According to Stephen Georgio, a strength and conditioning coach at Fordham, the Zone 2 trend reflects a broader move away from extremes and toward a more balanced understanding of fitness. While high-intensity workouts remain popular for those who enjoy pushing their limits, Georgio notes that consistent, lower-stress movement\u2014such as brisk walking, easy cycling, or light jogging\u2014can deliver meaningful benefits without excessive strain, especially as the body ages.<\/p>\n In keeping with this shift, Georgio says many people are recognizing that fitness doesn\u2019t start and stop in the gym, but is shaped by how we care for our bodies throughout the day. In 2026, the focus is moving from how far you can push yourself in a single workout to how well you can sustain movement over time, with a greater emphasis on proper form, range of motion, and recovery.\u00a0<\/p>\n Contact: Stephen Georgio, strength and conditioning coach, [email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n Menopause: Less Silence, More Science<\/p>\n Menopause is having a moment. Drew Barrymore opened up about her symptoms on her talk show. Halle Berry took the message to Capitol Hill, declaring, \u201cI\u2019m in menopause,\u201d as a leading advocate for awareness. Hashtags like #menopauseawareness were used by thousands on social media. A key change came in November when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration removed warning labels<\/a> from hormone therapies used to treat the symptoms of menopause, saying the warnings had been based on research that distorted the risks. These developments have led to far greater public discussion<\/a> of menopause and a shift away from stigma and silence.<\/p>\n In the coming year, Fordham biology professor Marija Kundakovic is pursuing a groundbreaking study<\/a> of the human brain that could lead to better treatments for mental illness related to the menopause transition. While women\u2019s health remains generally under-studied, she sees momentum toward more research into menopause and women\u2019s health in the year ahead.<\/p>\n She also sees women continuing to inquire about managing their symptoms rather than just suffering through them.\u201cThey\u2019re reaching out for more information,\u201d she said. \u201cI love seeing that because there are many options, from hormone replacement therapy to lifestyle changes, that can help.\u201d<\/p>\n Contact: Marija Kundakovic, biology professor, [email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n New Faces in the Pews: Meeting Young People\u2019s Religious Interest\u00a0<\/p>\n Church attendance was a hot topic in 2025, with observers noting more young people in the pews\u2014particularly young men\u2014sometimes motivated by politics or social media personalities. Fordham\u2019s John Cecero, SJ, vice president for mission integration and ministry, said he has seen more young people attending church at Fordham as students look for \u201copportunities to belong,\u201d a trend echoed at other Jesuit universities.<\/p>\n And more people are attending Orthodox Christian churches, a trend that is likely to continue, said George Demacopoulos, co-director of Fordham\u2019s Orthodox Christian Studies Center. Despite the media attention on \u201cOrthobros,\u201d he said the growing interest goes far beyond conservative young men<\/a> who associate the church with masculinity. He noted the church\u2019s appeal for people of all backgrounds who seek the kind of community, stability, and healing found in Orthodoxy. \u201cThe more chaotic our world is \u2026 the more an ancient faith tradition like Orthodox Christianity is appealing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Whatever it is that brought new church members through the doors, Father Cecero said, in the coming year, church leaders will be challenged to engage them \u201cin a way that sustains participation.\u201d<\/p>\n Contacts: John Cecero, SJ, vice president for mission integration and ministry, [email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n George Demacopoulos, co-director of Fordham\u2019s Orthodox Christian Studies Center, [email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n Kids and Phones: Safeguarding Childhood as Technology Marches On\u00a0<\/p>\n As concerns grow about the impact of technology on young people, 2026 is likely to bring stronger guardrails for kids. Meanwhile, technological advances will continue their integration into everyday life.\u00a0<\/p>\n Around the world, governments are experimenting with age restrictions on digital platforms. Australia\u2019s recent law barring children under 16 from social media has already inspired similar proposals in Denmark and Malaysia, while U.S. school districts continue to expand bell-to-bell cellphone bans.<\/p>\n According to Elizabeth Stosich, associate professor of educational leadership and policy at Fordham and co-chapter leader of Brooklyn\u2019s Mothers Against Media Addiction, these efforts are promising. With school phone bans, early research suggests students are more focused and even achieving at higher levels. In 2026, expect to see more grassroots advocacy to protect kids from the most disruptive aspects of digital life.<\/p>\n At the same time, technology itself isn\u2019t going anywhere.\u00a0<\/p>\n Paul Levinson, professor of communication and media studies at Fordham, says concerns around new technologies are a recurring feature of media history. He points to a 1910 Good Housekeeping article<\/a> that warned movies would become \u201ca training ground for criminals,\u201d echoing later fears about video games and the internet. With safeguards in place for kids, Levinson expects newer technologies to become normalized as well, and for the benefits to outweigh the risks.\u00a0<\/p>\n Contacts: Elizabeth Stosich, associate chair of Fordham\u2019s Division of Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy; co-chapter leader of the Brooklyn Chapter of Mothers Against Media Addiction, [email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n Paul Levinson, professor of communication and media studies, [email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n A Return to the Movies\u2014and More Indies<\/p>\n Netflix\u2019s potential acquisition of media conglomerate Warner Bros. Discovery could have big implications for the film and television industry, from job losses to movie theater closings. But Brandy Monk-Payton, associate professor of communication and media studies, sees audiences responding to the industry\u2019s volatile future by leaning into its past.<\/p>\n \u201cAudiences will find renewed energy to go to the movie theater for cinematic experiences and make concerted efforts to preserve the physical media that means the most to them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n At the box office, she predicts that reboots, franchises, and adaptations will still reign\u2014including reimaginings like Wuthering Heights<\/a> and familiar blockbusters like Toy Story<\/a>. On the small screen, the \u201cera of prestige TV is over,\u201d she said. \u201cWhile there will always be series that are big budget and make use of complex storytelling\u201d\u2014think Game of Thrones\u2014\u201cwe will also see a return to tried and true formulas,\u201d such as medical dramas like The Pitt.<\/p>\n Heidi C. Bordogna, lecturer in the communication and media studies department and a screenwriter, director, and producer<\/a>, sees quieter, indie productions on the upswing\u2014and not just because they cost less to produce. \u201cThat\u2019s a trend that\u2019s been growing since COVID, and has historical precedent.\u201d Following the big-budget films of the \u201980s came indies such as Clerks, she noted. Similarly, the first two decades of the 2000s brought massive franchises like Harry Potter, and now, \u201caudiences are embracing smaller films\u201d like the critically successful Sorry, Baby<\/a> and Materialists<\/a>, produced by A24.<\/a> Even indie television series could make a mark in 2026. \u201cI think there are smaller, growing companies that are producing lower-budget indie television for streaming,\u201d she said. Bordogna also predicts audiences will move away from dystopian films and series. \u201cI think the more hopeful stories will become more pervasive,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Contacts: Brandy Monk-Payton, associate professor of communication and media studies, [email\u00a0protected]\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Heidi C. Bordogna, lecturer in communication and media studies, [email\u00a0protected]<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n More Housing: Removing Roadblocks\u00a0<\/p>\n With any luck, 2026 will be the year of YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard).<\/p>\n The housing shortage has finally pushed policymakers, including those who tend toward heavier regulation, to take action to increase housing supply, said Joshua Harris, academic director of the Fordham Real Estate Institute.<\/p>\n He says many state and local governments are making real efforts to reduce some of the regulatory hurdles that have slowed building, particularly in the Northeast. It\u2019s an argument made in 2025\u2019s best seller, Abundance, which advocates for reforming rules and promoting innovation.<\/p>\n The need is great. Zillow has estimated that the United States needs 4.7 million new homes to satisfy current housing needs; the Brookings Institution put the number at 4.9 million. What was once a problem primarily for cities like New York City and San Francisco has become a national one. A combination of high prices and low inventory has made it difficult for younger buyers to enter the market; last year, the average age of first-time home buyers reached a record high of 40.\u00a0<\/p>\n Builders still face challenges from high interest rates and tariffs, but Harris is bullish on initiatives like City of Yes, the NYC plan to reduce barriers to housing.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that the severity of the housing shortage will lead to curing some of the regulatory challenges that have created this mess,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s more energy and impetus to try to fix things.\u201d<\/p>\n Contact: Joshua Harris, academic director of the Fordham Real Estate Institute, [email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n Making Moves in Graphic Design\u00a0<\/p>\n What might we see when we look around in the new year, taking in all the various messages aimed at us? For one thing, movement\u2014as in, motion graphics everywhere, if recent trends hold, said Fordham graphic design professor Abby Goldstein. \u201cEven posters now, in the subway, they all move,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n That\u2019s one way that graphic design will continue to drive marketing efforts, with storytelling woven into design elements to form more connection with viewers. \u201cThe story behind a color, the story behind an image, the story behind a typeface becomes so important now,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Another trend: more personalization and individuality in company logos, rather than generic, modernist, clean lines and functional beauty. Goldstein points to the \u201cNYBG\u201d logo on the New York Botanical Garden<\/a>\u2019s home page as one example.<\/p>\n She noted that fonts are having their moment. \u201cType has become such an important element in publishing, in marketing, in branding and advertising,\u201d said Goldstein, noting the upcoming Type Drives Commerce<\/a> conference at Fordham. Today, fonts that took years to design can now be done in weeks with computers, and companies everywhere are adopting their own typefaces, which have \u201cbecome a really important part of brand storytelling,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n How to sum it all up? \u201cIt\u2019s about motion and individual expression,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s a breaking of rules.\u201d<\/p>\n Contact: Abby Goldstein, clinical professor of graphic design and head of the graphic design area of study, [email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n Fashion Law: Responding to \u2018Dupe Culture\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n