The Academic Minute

Do social media algorithms hurt or help society? Sabine von Mering, professor of German and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Brandeis University, discusses one reason they may need some tweaking. Sabine von Mering, Ph. D. is Professor of German and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Director of the Center for German and European Studies […] This is a public episode. If you w...

We’ve learned the power of groups after spending time alone during the pandemic. Bryan Bardine, professor of English at the University of Dayton, explores how one scene sticks together. Bryan Bardine, English professor at the University of Dayton, teaches courses on metal music and culture. He has co-edited three collections on metal: Heavy Metal Studies […] This is a public episode. If you...

What is ethical about nuclear weapons? Thomas Doyle, associate professor of political science at Texas State University, explores this question. Thomas Doyle is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Texas State University. His most recent book is titled Nuclear Ethics in the Twenty-First Century: Survival, Order, and Justice (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020). He has […] This is a pub...

Helping those in eldercare environments have good quality of life is important. Daniel George, associate professor in the department of humanities and public health sciences at the Penn State College of Medicine, explores one way to do so. Daniel R. George, Ph. D, M.Sc is Associate Professor in the Department of Humanities and Public Health Sciences […] This is a public episode. If you would...

Even low level exposure to radon gas can have harmful impacts. David Richardson, professor of environmental and occupational health at the University of California, Irvine, explores how to ensure better protection moving forward. David B. Richardson, PhD, associate dean of research and professor of environmental and occupational health at the University of California, Irvine Program […] This...

Have you been cheerful lately? Timothy Hampton, Aldo Scaglione and Marie M. Burns Distinguished Professor of Comparative Literature and French at the University of California Berkeley, examines this feeling. Writer, scholar, teacher, and translator Timothy Hampton teaches at the University of California at Berkeley.  Primarily a student of the Romance languages and of the early […] This is a...

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...