--- title: "đź’­ What keeps us curious" description: "Quarterly Update A message from Pew Research Center President Michael Dimock · Subscribe â†— Dear reader, Curiosity is at the heart of what we do at Pew Research Center. It drives us to explore emerging topics, seek new insights on long-running debates, and constantly learn and improve. It’s what allows us to be ready with relevant data […]" date: "2024-12-23" authors: - name: "Joy Li" url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/newsletter/quarterly-update/%f0%9f%92%ad-what-keeps-us-curious/" --- # đź’­ What keeps us curious --- December 23, 2024 ## Quarterly Update *A message from Pew Research Center President Michael Dimock* · [**Subscribe ↗**](https://pewresearch.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=434f5d1199912232d416897e4&id=3e953b9b70) --- Dear reader, Curiosity is at the heart of what we do at Pew Research Center. It drives us to explore emerging topics, seek new insights on long-running debates, and constantly learn and improve. It’s what allows us to be ready with relevant data and analysis when important stories break, and to see around the corner to what next month’s or next year’s stories may be. Curiosity isn’t always easy. It requires us to listen closely, even when the truth is uncomfortable, and to guard against our own assumptions and biases so we can gather and present our findings objectively. It also demands that we constantly strive to understand what our audience needs and seeks so we can better serve you. As we celebrate the holiday season and look ahead to the new year, we hope you will continue to share in our curiosity and join us in our pursuit of knowledge and understanding. To that end, let me recommend a few reports from this past year that sparked my own curiosity. I hope they do the same for you. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday season. Warm regards, **Michael Dimock** President, Pew Research Center [ ](https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2024/04/04/what-public-k-12-teachers-want-americans-to-know-about-teaching/) ## [What Public K-12 Teachers Want Americans To Know About Teaching](https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2024/04/04/what-public-k-12-teachers-want-americans-to-know-about-teaching/) We asked more than 2,500 public K-12 teachers this question: “If there’s one thing you’d want the public to know about teachers, what would it be?” [Their responses reflected broad themes](https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2024/04/04/what-public-k-12-teachers-want-americans-to-know-about-teaching/), from the difficulty of their work to their need for parental support. [ ](https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/feature/why-many-parents-and-teens-think-its-harder-being-a-teen-today/) ## [Why Many Parents and Teens Think It’s Harder Being a Teen Today](https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/feature/why-many-parents-and-teens-think-its-harder-being-a-teen-today/) Is being a teenager easier or harder than it was two decades ago, or is it about the same? Parents and teens alike are [most likely to say it’s harder](https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/feature/why-many-parents-and-teens-think-its-harder-being-a-teen-today/) – and they largely cite technology, especially social media, as a reason. Many teens also point to increased expectations. [ ](https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2024/11/18/americas-news-influencers/) ## [America’s News Influencers](https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2024/11/18/americas-news-influencers/) About one-in-five U.S. adults, including 37% of young adults, say they [regularly get news on social media from news influencers](https://www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2024/11/18/americas-news-influencers/) – that is, people with large followings who regularly post about current events and civic issues. A new report from the Pew-Knight Initiative provides a unique look at these influencers and the audiences they reach. [ ](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/01/09/tuning-out-americans-on-the-edge-of-politics/) ## [Tuning Out: Americans on the Edge of Politics](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/01/09/tuning-out-americans-on-the-edge-of-politics/) In May 2023, we conducted focus groups with [Americans who have soured on U.S. politics](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2024/01/09/tuning-out-americans-on-the-edge-of-politics/) and feel overwhelmed by political news. Many cited frustration with the Democratic and Republican parties and pointed to negativity and fighting as obstacles to progress.