The Academic Minute

Can we learn about the natural world from works of fiction? Michael Werner, assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Utah, reads up to find out. Michael Werner is an assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Utah. He uses worms to study developmental biology. […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss th...

How do we get white heterosexual men to confront feelings of homophobia and sexism? Rogerio Pinto, University Diversity & Social Transformation Professor at the University of Michigan, approaches this goal. Rogério M. Pinto is a University of Michigan Diversity & Social Transformation Professor, Berit Ingersoll-Dayton Collegiate Professor of Social Work, and Professor of Theater and Drama,...

Electric car batteries may need some tweaking to work at their best in winter climates. Wesley Chang, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics at Drexel University, explores solutions. Wes Chang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, and an affiliated faculty member of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and […]...

Politicians use a lot of words when campaigning, but the most meaningful are very simple. Douglas Dowland, associate professor of English at Ohio Northern University, discusses these. Douglas Dowland is associate professor of English at Ohio Northern University, where he teaches a wide array of literature and humanities courses. His book We, Us, and Them […] This is a public episode. If you...

Social distancing was key in reducing COVID deaths, but it came with consequences. Douglas Wolf, professor of public administration and international affairs at Syracuse University, looks at why. Douglas Wolf is a demographer, policy analyst, program evaluator and gerontological researcher with many years of experience studying the economic, demographic and social aspects of aging, disability [&#8...

Are scientists the only ones who can do science work? Jon Rosales, professor of environmental studies at St. Lawrence University, says no. St. Lawrence University Professor of Environmental Studies Jon Rosales is a climate change scientist focused on the impacts of climate change on native peoples in the Arctic.  His expertise and scholarly focus are […] This is a public episode. If you woul...

Not everyone understands the heat index on a summer day, which can lead to medical issues. Micki Olson, senior research scientist in the college of emergency preparedness, homeland security and cybersecurity at the University at Albany, explores how to simplify this language to keep people safe. Micki Olson is a risk communication expert who specializes […] This is a public episode. If you w...

Psychedelics may be the way out of depression. Argel Aguilar Valles, assistant professor in the department of neuroscience at Carleton University, explores why. Dr. Argel Aguilar Valles received his B.Sc . (Biology) and M.Sc . (Biochemistry) from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Then, he obtained his Ph. D. in Neuroscience at McGill University in 2011. Following […] This...

Athletes are known for their physical prowess, but their morals may also aid in performance. Sabrina Little, assistant professor in the department of leadership and American studies at Christopher Newport University, explains why. Sabrina Little is an assistant professor in the Department of Leadership and American Studies at Christopher Newport University. She earned her doctorate […] This...

Sports gambling has taken over the airwaves and playing surfaces of professional sports. Jared Bahir Browsh, assistant teaching professor in the department of ethnic studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder, says scandals are also emerging. Dr. Jared Bahir Browsh is scholar and educator specializing in the political economics of sports and the media and […] This is a public episode. If...

It’s not just athletes who have to worry about brain injuries. Sarah Raskin, Charles A. Dana professor of psychology and neuroscience at Trinity College, details other areas of life that are sadly involved in these afflictions as well. Sarah A. Raskin, Ph. D. is a Board Certified Clinical Neuropsychologist and the Charles A. Dana Professor of […] This is a public episode. If you would like t...

The COVID-19 pandemic was difficult to navigate for farmers of color. Loren Henderson, associate professor of public policy and incoming director of the school of public policy at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, centers their voices. Henderson’s research interests include diversity issues, stratification and inequality, health disparities, race, class, gender, and sexuality. She is [&...

On Occidental College Week: Nature can give us the compounds to treat afflictions, but are we taking advantage? Raul Navarro, assistant professor of chemistry, looks at one avenue to do so. Raul Navarro was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Yale University, then traveled back to California […] This is a public episode. If you would like to...

On Occidental College Week: Foreign aid can change political behavior in the country receiving it. Syeda ShahBano Ijaz, assistant professor of global political economy, diplomacy & world affairs, details how. Syeda ShahBano Ijaz is a scholar of the political economy of development with a regional focus on South Asia. Her research, teaching, and public scholarship […] This is a public epi...

On Occidental College Week: Hints to our climatic future could be hidden underground. Natasha Sekhon, assistant professor in the department of geology, digs in for a look. Dr. Natasha Sekhon has her training as a low-temperature geochemist and paleoclimatologist. She uses the geochemical signals preserved in speleothems (secondary cave deposits) and monitors modern cave systems […] This is a...

On Occidental College Week: We see our dogs as good pets, but how do they see us? Zachary Silver, assistant professor of psychology, looks for an answer. Assistant Professor of Psychology Zachary Silver has a B.A. in psychology and music from Illinois Wesleyan and a pair of master’s degrees and a Ph. D. in psychology from […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with o...

On Occidental College Week: Which schools are taking on most of the burden of a school district’s debt? Claire Cahen, assistant professor of urban and environmental policy, determines it might not be spread evenly. Claire Cahen (she/ her/ hers) is an urbanist, researcher and educator living and working in Los Angeles. She researches and writes […] This is a public episode. If you would like...

On Centre College Week:  Data have made a big splash in sports recently. Jeffrey Heath, David and Marlene Grissom Professor of Mathematics and Data Science, details why. Jeffrey Heath is the David and Marlene Grissom Professor of Mathematics and Data Science at Centre College. His scholarly work focuses on sports analytics, and he leads the […] This is a public episode. If you would like to...

On Centre College Week:  Improving health care access can improve healthcare outcomes, but how do we do it? Daniel Scott, associate professor of chemistry, examines a path forward. Daniel Scott joined the Centre College faculty as an assistant professor of chemistry in 2017. Prior to joining Centre, he was an assistant professor of chemistry and […] This is a public episode. If you would lik...

On Centre College Week: Why are we interested in the lives of athletes? Megs Gendreau, associate professor of philosophy and environmental studies, explains why. Megs Gendreau’s main research focuses on how we understand human selves and human values in the face of radical climate change, but she enjoys sports and periodically gets to write about […] This is a public episode. If you would li...

On Centre College Week:  Why is more money going to lobbying in politics than before? Ravi Radhakrishnan, associate professor of economics and business, says it’s a pressing issue. Ravi Radhakrishnan joined Centre College in 2012 as an Assistant Professor of Economics. His area of specialization is growth theory with a focus on the role of […] This is a public episode. If you would like to d...

On Centre College Week:  We’ve heard the war stories of the past, but what about today? Stacey Peebles, H. W. Stodghill, Jr. and Adele H. Stodghill Associate Professor and Chair of English, looks for some. Stacey Peebles is H. W. Stodghill, Jr. and Adele H. Stodghill Associate Professor, Chair of English, and Chair of Film […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with...

Harassment of workers doesn’t just happen at work, but also on the way in. Beth Livingston, Ralph L. Sheets Associate Professor of Industrial Relations at the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa, explains more. Beth A. Livingston is the Ralph L. Sheets Associate Professor of Industrial Relations at the University of Iowa’s […] This is a public episode. If you would like to d...

The digital world is quickly bringing to an end to a lot of physicals items and tokens, but at what cost? Michael Zalot, assistant professor of business and director of the MBA program in the department of Business, Management and Economics at Cedar Crest College, discusses one such token. Michael Zalot is an assistant professor […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this...

Do you consider yourself a reader? Rachel Noorda, associate professor and director of book publishing at Portland State University, says many don’t when they should. Rachel Noorda is associate professor of English and director of book publishing at Portland State University. She and her colleague Kathi Inman Berens study crossmedia consumption and identity behaviors. Reading […] This is a pu...