The Academic Minute

Certain people can change the game they play all by themselves. Aram Goudsouzian, professor of history at the University of Memphis, considers the life of one such player. Aram Goudsouzian is the Bizot Family Professor of History at the University of Memphis, where he teaches courses on modern American history, with a particular focus on […] This is a public episode. If you would like to dis...

The meaning of Purgatory in the Catholic faith seems to be shifting over time. Magnus Course, senior lecturer in social anthropology at the University of Edinburgh, explores the old and the new. Magnus Course is senior lecturer in social anthropology at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. His books include Becoming Mapuche: Person and Ritual […] This is a public episode. If you would li...

Is physically risky heroism a guy thing? Frank McAndrew, Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology at Knox College, explores why men feel the need for physical bravery more often. Frank McAndrew is the Cornelia H. Dudley Professor of Psychology at Knox College, a blogger for Psychology Today Magazine, and an elected Fellow of the Association […] This is a public episode. If you would like t...

Why does poverty hit certain areas harder than others? John Caskey, Joseph Wharton professor of economics at Swarthmore College, delves into one example for answers. John Caskey is the Joseph Wharton professor economics at Swarthmore College. He has a B.A. from Harvard University and a Ph. D. from Stanford University. He teaches courses in financial economics […] This is a public episode. If...

How do we connect with others? Dave Smallen, research psychologist and community faculty in psychology at Metropolitan State University, examines a few ways. Dave Smallen is a research psychologist and community faculty at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, MN. His work focuses on researching and communicating about how people cultivate connection and well-being in […] This is a publ...

Virtual reality can be a tough sell for businesses outside the tech bubble. Sebastian Hohenberg, full professor in the school of business & economics at the University of Munster, looks into what might change this. Dr. Sebastian Hohenberg is a marketing strategy researcher who strives to solve essential business problems related to organic growth and […] This is a public episode. If you...

Reproductive rights are important to everybody. Zachary Neal, associate professor of psychology and global urban studies at Michigan State University, determines one group who we don’t hear about in this debate. Zachary Neal is an associate professor of psychology and global urban studies at Michigan State University, and serves as the editor of Global Networks, […] This is a public episode....

More glass ceilings can and will be broken in November. Alana Jeydel, professor of political science at Fresno City College, discusses how. Dr. Alana Jeydel (Ph. D., Political Science) teaches at Fresno City College. She has published two books and numerous refereed journal articles in the area of women and politics. Dr. William R. Wilkerson is […] This is a public episode. If you would like...

Why is international peacekeeping so hard? Dennis Jett, professor and founding faculty member at the School of International Affairs at Penn State University, explains why. Dennis Jett is a professor and founding faculty member at the School of International Affairs at Penn State. A former career diplomat, he served as ambassador to Mozambique and Peru, […] This is a public episode. If you w...

Are you stressed because you’re procrastinating or procrastinating because you’re stressed? Alicia Walf, senior lecturer in cognitive science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, examines this question. Alicia Walf is a neuroscientist and senior lecturer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute whose research interests are fueled by the broad question: Why are there individual differences in stress? Th...

Do COVID death rates also fall along party lines? Dylan Roby, associate professor of health, society, and behavior at the University of California, Irvine, determines where you live, not your affiliation, may indicate higher death rates. A leading expert in health policy, Dylan H. Roby, PhD, associate professor of health, society, and behavior at the […] This is a public episode. If you woul...

Receiving an award for your work may hinder your ability to be creative again. Markus Baer, professor of organizational behavior at the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, discusses why. Markus Baer, Ph. D. ( baer@wustl.edu ) is an award-winning scholar and teacher. Currently, he is Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Olin Business School, […] This is a public...

Changing a person’s attitude on a subject can be tricky. Aviva Philipp-Muller, assistant professor of marketing at the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University, explains how to do it. Aviva Philipp-Muller is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University. Dr. Philipp-Muller’s research investigates attitude strength, […] This...

What’s in a name? Angela Bradbery, Frank Karel Endowed Chair in Public Interest Communications at the University of Florida, says when it comes to politics, it can be quite a bit. Angela Bradbery is the Frank Karel Endowed Chair in Public Interest Communications at the University of Florida, where she teaches public interest communications. Before […] This is a public episode. If you would l...

The United States has been called a lot of things lately on social media and elsewhere. Matthew Wilson, associate professor and director of graduate studies at the University of South Carolina, examines one popular term and why it keeps popping up. Matthew Wilson is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of South […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discu...

Debt amnesty is in the news, but is not a new topic. Eva von Dassow, associate professor of history and languages of the ancient near east at the University of Minnesota, has examples in history. Eva von Dassow teaches the history and languages of the ancient Near East at the University of Minnesota.  Her research […] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other sub...

Are your kids ready to go back to school? Suzanne McLeod, assistant Professor in the department of teaching, learning, and educational leadership at Binghamton University, looks at ways to soften the blow of the end of summer. Suzanne McLeod is the Coordinator of the Educational Leadership Program at Binghamton University. She retired as the Superintendent […] This is a public episode. If yo...

If you’ve been feeling extra tired during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re not alone. Elizabeth Tricomi, associate professor of psychology at Rutgers University – Newark, examines why this may be. Elizabeth Tricomi received her Ph. D. in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2006. Her dissertation research focused on how the brain responds to positive and […] This is a public episode....

On this Student Spotlight: Fermentation isn’t just for alcohol. Caitlin Clark, Instructor and Ph. D student in the department of food science and human nutrition at Colorado State University, discusses another dietary favorite that makes use of this process. Caitlin is a Ph. D student and chocolate researcher at Colorado State University. Her research in the Food […] This is a public episode...

English professors don’t always have their nose in a book. Amy Lueck, associate professor of rhetoric and composition at Santa Clara University, explains. Amy J. Lueck is Associate Professor of English at Santa Clara University, where her research and teaching focus on histories of rhetorical instruction and practice, women’s rhetorics, feminist historiography, and digital public […] This is...

Positive student outcomes can be achieved in many different ways. Ryan Romine, associate professor of bassoon at Shenandoah University, examines one. Bassoonist, educator, and administrator Ryan D. Romine is Assistant Dean for Recruitment at Shenandoah Conservatory (Winchester, VA, USA), where in the past three years he has overseen the recruitment of three of the largest […] This is a publi...

Hate waiting to make a left turn at a busy intersection?  You’re not alone. Vikash Gayah, associate professor in the department of civil and environmental engineering at Penn State University, delves into how to fix these time wasters. Dr. Vikash V. Gayah is an associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at […] This is a public episode. If you would like to d...

Eat your leafy greens. Catherine Bondonno, research fellow at Edith Cowan University, discusses the link to staying healthy and eating green. Dr Catherine Bondonno is a research fellow in the Institute for Nutrition Research at Edith Cowan University. The overall aim of her research is to identify strategies that will form part of a dietary […] This is a public episode. If you would like to...

Do people exaggerate the presence of certain groups that are seen as threatening? Jacqueline Rifkin, assistant professor of marketing at Cornell University, draws a comparison to nonthreatening groups. Jacqueline Rifkin is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Cornell University. Jacqueline earned her Ph. D. in Business Administration in the area of marketing at Duke University and […] This...

Taking care of our waterways will be key in the future. Daniel Macfarlane, associate professor in the Institute of the environment and sustainability at Western Michigan University, determines why attempts to clean up one body have not gone as planned. Dr. Daniel Macfarlane is an Associate Professor in the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability […] This is a public episode. If you w...