Michigan Minds

Along with residents of other states, Michiganders have been advised by state leadership to stay at home to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. This means that people are not able to visit many of the places they typically frequent. Those social infrastructure sites where people gather, connect, and socialize are often called “third places”— locations outside the home and workplace that...

In this episode of Michigan Minds, Nora Krinitsky, director for the Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP), discusses how the coronavirus may be impacting prisoners—both physically and emotionally—and explains why prisons might face difficulties trying to follow public health guidelines like social distancing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thomas Ivacko, Interim Director of CLOSUP, and Debra Horner, CLOSUP Project Manager, joined the Wolverine Caucus on Tuesday, Feb. 25 to discuss the long-term fundamental trends identified in the Michigan Public Policy Survey, along with local leaders’ concerns about the future.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Each year in the United States, about 7,500 people die while waiting for organ transplants— and that number is expected to increase in coming years as demographics shift. In this episode of Michigan Minds, Neehar Parikh, a transplant hepatologist and assistant professor at Michigan Medicine, discusses organ donation policy in America. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Director of the Ginsberg Center, Mary Jo Callan discusses the importance of promoting civic engagement and education on college campuses. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joseph P. Ryan, PhD, Professor of Social Work and Co-Director of the Child and Adolescent Data Lab (CADL), joined the Wolverine Caucus on Jan. 28 to discuss how using data to drive policy can improve outcomes for vulnerable children, adolescents, and their families. The Wolverine Caucus is a forum held in the state capital where alumni, policymakers, and the public can hear from University of Mich...

The University of Michigan will soon be home to the most powerful laser in the United States. ZEUS, a three-petawatt system that will be built at U-M, is funded with $16 million from the National Science Foundation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to a U-M study, there are a number of ways pets can be helpful to older adults with chronic pain. Mary Janevic, Associate Research Scientist, Health Behavior & Health Education explains how pets can help with pain management in this episode of Michigan Minds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Juan Cole, PhD, Richard P. Mitchell Collegiate Professor of History at the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, studies the history and ongoing politics in the Middle East. In this episode of Michigan Minds, Cole explains the relationship between the US and Iran over the past few decades and the possible implications of the current turmoil.  Hosted on Acast. Se...

From hurricanes to Zika outbreaks, U-M researchers are exploring various aspects of global climate. In this episode of Michigan Minds, John Meeker, senior associate dean for research at the School of Public Health, discusses his findings on the environmental and psychosocial impact of global climate on human health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People over 50 who attend religious services and pray privately may notice better memory performance, according to a study led by U-M psychology doctoral candidate Zarina Kraal. In this episode of Michigan Minds, Kraal discusses how the findings were linked to stronger cognitive health among blacks, whites, and Hispanics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest episode of Michigan Minds, a University of Michigan School of Public Health assistant professor discusses her work on a video series that breaks down complex psychology topics and helps break the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Created by #UMSocial within the Office of the Vice President for Communications at the University of Michigan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

In today’s digital age, how conscientious are you about your privacy? U-M School of Information's Florian Schaub has devoted his research to studying how both our interactions online and with smart devices could be revealing personal information. Created by #UMSocial within the Office of the Vice President for Communications at the University of Michigan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

As invasive Asian carp continue to overwhelm waterways throughout the midwest, U-M researchers have been studying how these species could impact the Great Lakes. It turns out they may be capable of surviving in a much larger portion of Lake Michigan than previously thought. #UMichImpact Created by #UMSocial within the Office of the Vice President for Communications at the University of Michig...

Whether it's occupational activities, your environment, or your hobbies, noise exposure can have a negative impact on your hearing health. Until recently, measuring noise exposure has been difficult, but thanks to a new research partnership between Apple, WHO, and the U-M School of Public Health, individuals can opt in to a study that will collect data using their iPhone or Apple Watch on the nois...

Auto accidents and firearms are the leading causes of death for children and adolescents in the United States. But while the auto accidents number has largely trended down, thanks to research and safety measures, the same cannot be said for firearms deaths. In this episode, University of Michigan researchers Rebecca Cunningham and Marc Zimmerman talk about a new, national research effort underway,...

The Michigan Road Scholars tour is an annual week-long bus trip that connects University of Michigan faculty with people and communities throughout the state. In this episode, professors Bethany Hughes and Pamela Jagger talk about what they hope to learn from the tour, and how they think it could add to their teaching and research. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s been great advancement in the diagnosis, care, and prevention of concussions in recent years. But there are still unknowns about long-term effects and who is more prone to suffer them. In this episode, University of Michigan Biosciences Initiative grantee and School of Kinesiology professor Steven Broglio talks about how the Michigan Concussion Center aims to answer those questions. He als...

There’s more than just new displays on tap for visitors when the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History reopens April 14. The public will find many more ways to engage directly with scientists, researchers, and students. They’ll also discover opportunities to do their own investigations. In this episode, museum director Amy Harris and museum education director Kira Berman explain how pub...

There’s no shortage of development projects in Detroit, but that activity hasn’t been spread evenly around the city. In this episode, U-M Taubman College lecturer Kimberly Dowdell talks about her work redeveloping single-family homes in the city, and what she thinks it will take to build momentum for Detroit’s residential neighborhoods. She also talks about how her work informs her teaching. Hoste...

Transgender people often face discrimination, but one of the areas where this can be subtle yet do more harm is in the healthcare setting. In this episode, University of Michigan researchers Shanna Kattari and Ashley Lacombe-Duncan talk about their studies on transgender experiences with health professionals. They also talk about their goal of creating easily accessible information for health...

School attendance is a major predictor of student success. Unfortunately, Michigan has the sixth-highest chronic absenteeism rate in the country. In this episode, University of Michigan Poverty Solutions researcher Jennifer Erb-Downward talks about the connection her research uncovered between poverty and student attendance. She also discusses ways educators can help these students improve attenda...

It was 400 years ago that the first Africans arrived in colonial Virginia, triggering the system of chattel slavery in America. In this episode, University of Michigan professor Earl Lewis talks about the long-lasting effects of slavery. Lewis, who heads the Center for Social Solutions, also discusses the center’s Slavery Initiative and the conversations it’s trying to spark. Hosted on Acast. See...

The number of kids living in a home with both parents and grandparents has nearly doubled in the last 20 years. Why does it matter? In this episode, University of Michigan professor Natasha Pilkauskas explains why finding out the reasons for this trend are important. She also says it should spark a rethinking of the way educational and social services are designed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

There’s a lot of debate about trigger warnings but far less research on whether they actually work as intended. University of Michigan PhD student Izzy Gainsburg talks about his study on trigger warnings and why more research is needed before setting policy on them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.