The Academic Minute

Are you lucky? Mark Rank, Herbert S. Hadley professor of social welfare at the Washington University in St. Louis, says if so, you may be in for a better future. Mark Robert Rank is widely recognized as one of the foremost experts in the country on issues of poverty, inequality, and social justice.  To date […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscriber...

How creative are children? Megan Brandow-Faller, professor of history at the City University of New York Kingsborough, examines one figure from history who has an answer. Megan Brandow-Faller is Professor of History at the City University of New York  Kingsborough and also teaches at the CUNY Graduate Center and the 92nd Street Y. Her research focuses […] This is a public episode. If you wou...

On Florida International University Week: Many students can struggle while taking a calculus course. Laird Kramer, founding director of the STEM Transformation Institute professor of physics at Florida International University, attempts to find a way to change things. Laird Kramer’s work focuses on facilitating institutional change in STEM instruction through implementation of, and research...

On Florida International University Week: The growing issue of harmful algal blooms in waterways may be solved by…growing flowers? Jazmin Locke-Rodriguez, post-doctoral research associate, explains. Dr. Jazmin Locke-Rodriguez completed her doctoral research in the Fall of 2024 under the supervision of Dr. Krish Jayachandran, as part of both the Agroecology and NSF CREST Aquatic Chemistry […]...

On Florida International University Week:  Learning a second language can be important, especially for premature babies. Melissa Baralt, Associate Professor in Modern Languages at Florida International University, explains why. Melissa Baralt’s funded studies explore how bilingualism moderates executive function in children born prematurely. She and her team are working with FIU’s biom...

On Florida International University Week: What happens when treatment options for cancer diagnoses run out? Diana Azzam, assistant professor in the department of environmental health sciences, looks into taking the guesswork out of this process. Diana Azzam, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at Florida International University. She has a Masters in Biochemistry from the American […] This is a p...

On Florida International University Week: How do we improve forensic science? Kenneth G. Furton, distinguished university professor in the department of chemistry and biochemistry, explores a way. Dr. Kenneth G. Furton is the executive director of the Global Forensic and Justice Center and the chief scientific officer of Florida International University. He is a distinguished university […]...

On Texas Christian University Week: We might be thinking about strength training for women in the wrong way. Joshua Carr, assistant professor in the department of kinesiology, examines some new research that could help develop resistance training for women. Dr. Joshua Carr is an Assistant Professor at Texas Christian University. He earned his Ph. D. in […] This is a public episode. If you wo...

On Texas Christian University Week:  Sex trafficking survivors face a long and complex recovery. Mary Twis, master of social work program director and associate professor, determines what brings about best outcomes. Mary Twis is an associate professor in the Department of Social Work at TCU, where she researches human trafficking prevention and intervention strategies. She […] This is a publ...

On Texas Christian University Week: Social media and smartphones can harm body image, but A.I. could help. Robyn Trocchio, graduate program director and associate professor, explores how. Dr. Robyn Trocchio is an associate professor of kinesiology and the director of the sport and exercise psychology lab at Texas Christian University. She also serves as the […] This is a public episode. If y...

On Texas Christian University Week:  How do we empower Hispanic agricultural workers to get the health care they need? Carol Howe, Paula R. and Ronald C. Parker Endowed professor of Nursing and Director of Nursing Research & Scholarship, delves into this. Carol Howe, Ph. D., is the Paula R. and Ronald C. Parker Endowed Professor of […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discu...

On Texas Christian University Week: Children who are deaf or hard of hearing may have a different relationship to language than other children. Emily Lund, associate professor at the Davies School of Communication Sciences & Disorders, examines how to help bridge the gap. Emily Lund is an Associate Professor in the Davies School of Communication […] This is a public episode. If you would...

What determines whether teachers stay or go? Melissa Beck Wells, assistant professor and interim director of teaching, learning and faculty development at Empire State University, finds out. Melissa Beck Wells is a lifelong educator, formally a special educator in the New York City public schools.  She holds her doctoral degree in Special Education, and is […] This is a public episode. If yo...

On this Student Spotlight: We’ve heard a lot about active learning, but what is it exactly? Danielle Clevenger, Ph. D. candidate in philosophy at the University of Wisconsin Madison, examines this question. Danielle (Dani) Clevenger is currently a Philosophy Ph. D. candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research spans a number of sub-disciplines in philosophy […] This is a pub...

There is a diversity of experiences in higher education. Ebony Aya, program manager and teaching faculty at Macalester College, explores why some are more disadvantaged than others. Ebony Aya is a recent PhD graduate of the University of Minnesota in Curriculum and Instruction, with minors in Culture and Teaching and African American and African Studies. […] This is a public episode. If you...

How do institutions make a good first impression on students at the beginning of a new school year? Alexis Redding, faculty co-chair of higher education and lecturer at Harvard University, says they have only a few days to do so. Alexis Redding is a developmental psychologist whose work focuses on the college experience and what […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this...

Screen time in schools isn’t going away, how do we make it make it the best it can be? Jeff Frank, professor of education at St. Lawrence University, examines. Jeff Frank is a philosopher of education. He is a professor of education at St. Lawrence University, and the inaugural director of St. Lawrence’s Center for […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other su...

Digital dating apps have brought new terms to the fore, but what do they mean? Danielle Sukenik, instructor in psychiatry at the School of Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, explores these. Danielle Sukenik is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 12 years of clinical experience based in Denver, Colorado […] This is a public episode. If you would lik...

Populism can function differently when it’s not paired with democracies. Brian Grodsky, chair and professor in the department of political science at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, explains the benefits. Brian Grodsky is a Professor of Comparative Politics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. His research interests include democratization, human rights, disaster managemen...

Changing the language of terms we use to refer to people suffering from addiction can be key, even if they self-identify with the terminology. Cailyn Green, assistant professor of addiction studies in the school of human services at Empire State University, explains why. Cailyn Green, MS, Ph. D., Masters-CASAC is the Assistant Professor of Addiction Studies […] This is a public episode. If y...

The opioid crisis has been reported, but maybe not to its full extent. Donna Nelson, professor of chemistry at the University of Oklahoma, examines into the numbers. Dr. Donna Nelson is a Professor of Chemistry at University of Oklahoma.  Her research has always engaged the chemistry community and served professional societies and organizations, collectively described […] This is a public ep...

We know the name John Muir, but others came before him. Michael Hoberman, professor of English studies at Fitchburg State University, explores a few of them. Michael Hoberman is a professor of American literature at Fitchburg State University. He is the author of several books on Jewish history in the US, including New Israel/New England: […] This is a public episode. If you would like to di...

What’s the harm in letting A.I. make decisions for us? Joe Arvai, Director of USC Wrigley Institute for Environment & Sustainability and professor of psychology at the University of Southern California Dornsife, explores one. Dr. Joe Árvai is the Dana and David Dornsife Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology, and he is the […] This is a public episode. If you would like...

Parks are for everyone, right? Daniel Trudeau, professor of geography at Macalester College, says not everyone may feel welcome. Dan Trudeau is an urban geographer. He examines the roles of city planning and public policy in shaping urban development. His work explores the interactions between the built environment and social inequality and focuses on efforts […] This is a public episode. If...

How do we lessen the risk of suicidal ideation among service members? April Smith, associate professor and the director of research on eating disorders and suicidality laboratory at Auburn University, asks questions to find answers. Dr. Smith is currently an Associate Professor of Psychology at Auburn University and the director of the Research on Eating […] This is a public episode. If you...