Desi Academia Podcast

Science EN ↓ 57 episodes

A space for discussing the trials and tribulations that make research and academic life interesting. This podcast offers the perspective of early-career Desi researchers navigating their futures both in India and abroad. Episodes include our insights on critical thinking, scientific temper, new scientific developments, research funding policies, and a lot more.

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Desi Academia Podcast

Episodes

S2E3 - Exploring Science and Hype: Chandrayaan, ISRO, and Beyond 05.10.2023 1:11:41

In this episode of DAP, the gang gets together to talk about the recent achievements of India's renowned space agency, ISRO, and its groundbreaking Chandrayaan mission. We discuss why these achievements are often regarded as commendable amidst the flurry of headlines and what this hype truly signifies. Is it a genuine love for science, or does it sometimes border on jingoism? Are we witnessing a r...

S2E2 - Going home! 05.10.2023 1:06:55

In this episode, Megh talks about her trip back home after a long hiatus, about unavoidable bureaucratic work, dramatic climate events, local tourism and food. We also discuss how a break from academia dramatically improves our mental health, even if the physical and environmental conditions around us are catastrophic. This episode includes a serious segue into digital libraries and what it means...

S2E1 - Nuance in scientific discussions, Domain Expertise, Remodeled Science Curriculum 12.07.2023 1:29:17

In this episode, we discuss how to tackle the challenge of lack of nuance in popular science debates. We move on to discussing how there is a culture of ignoring domain expertise in India at the cost of cocksure narratives. In the latter half of the podcast we talk of how the omission of topics like global warming, the theory of evolution, and the periodic table from lower class curriculum could r...

S1E4- Academia and Mental Health 11.07.2023 1:01:29

We begin with a short discussion on what it's like to manage mental health in academia for three very privileged upwardly mobile youths with enough generational wealth to emigrate to first world countries. We then continue our discussion on mental health and material conditions with a look at the housing market, entitled senior faculty, academic diversity and freedom, and making friends. Credi...

S1E3- Academic publishing, Science Communication and the Business of Science 11.07.2023 1:04:32

We continue our discussion of life as academic researchers which a 'light' discussion on what makes research scientific, the issues with the journalistic reporting of scientific discoveries, and our eternal battle with Culture Wars. Credits: Intro/Outro Music - "Sapajou - The Universe Needs You" is under a Creative Commons (CC-BY 3.0) license Music promoted by BreakingCopyright:...

S1E2- Academic hierarchies, Productivity and Progress 11.07.2023 1:15:58

We discuss our experience with the overt and covert power structures in Indian academia, gatekeeping, and what it means to be progressive and pathbreaking in a world where "Uncledom" reigns supreme. Credits: Intro/Outro Music - "Sapajou - The Universe Needs You" is under a Creative Commons (CC-BY 3.0) license Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: https://bit.ly/bkc-universe

S1E1- How did we get here? 20.08.2022 1:15:03

In our first episode, we discuss our academic journeys and what keeps us here, our experiences in Indian academia, and how we explain our life choices to our relatives. Credits: Intro/Outro Music - "Sapajou - The Universe Needs You" is under a Creative Commons (CC-BY 3.0) license Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: https://bit.ly/bkc-universe