The Institute Podcast
Episodes
Episode 150: Ada Limón, 2026 Weil Lecture Speaker
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On March 24, 2026, poet Ada Limón will deliver the 78th Weil Lecture on American Citizenship, hosted by the Institute for the Arts and Humanities at ...
Episode 149: Reckford Lecture Speaker Stéphane Gerson
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Interim Director Elizabeth Olson interviews scholar Stéphane Gerson, who is our speaker for the 2026 Mary Stevens Reckford Memorial Lecture in Europe...
Episode 148: Kathleen DuVal on Bringing History to Life
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
History professor Kathleen DuVal (FFP ’13, ’22) returns to the podcast to discuss her research journey, her feature in Ken Burns' "The American Re...
Episodes 18 and 51 Re-release: Kathleen DuVal
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features two re-released episodes with history professor Kathleen DuVal. In the first episode, from 2016, DuVal discusses teaching and he...
Episode 147: Morgan Pitelka and Japanese Material Culture
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Historian Morgan Pitelka (FFP ’17, ’24) returns to the podcast to discuss material culture and his research project, The Resilience of Kyoto: E...
Episode 43 Re-release: Morgan Pitelka
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this 2017 episode, Asian and Middle Eastern studies professor Morgan Pitelka discusses his research and how his parents had a big influence in his ...
Episode 146: Elizabeth Olson on Tenure, the IAH, and Leadership
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Elizabeth Olson, interim director of the Institute, returns to The Institute podcast to share what she is looking forward to during the academic year....
Episode 115 Re-release: Elizabeth Olson
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this 2020 episode, we interview geography professor Elizabeth (Betsy) Olson, who discussed her career as a scholar and role as a campus leader. Sta...
Episode 145: Interview with 2025 Reckford Speaker Fatima El-Tayeb
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After the 2025 Reckford Lecture, IAH Director Patricia Parker and Yale professor Fatima El-Tayeb reunite on Zoom for The Institute podcast. In this ep...
Episode 144: Early Modern Literature and Shakespeare’s Demons with Mary Floyd-Wilson
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
English and comparative literature professor Mary Floyd-Wilson received the 2024 George H. Johnson Prize for Distinguished Achievement by an IAH Fello...
Episode 143: Tania Jenkins on Medical Sociology and Well-Being in Medicine
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sociologist Tania Jenkins (FFP ’24) studies the social impacts within medicine and health care, from status hierarchies to physician burnout. As a D...
Episode 142: Julia Gibson on acting, teaching, and “Becoming Invisible”
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Actor and dramatic art professor Julia Gibson joins the podcast to reflect on her past roles, including ones in PlayMakers Repertory Company’s 2024-...
Episode 141: African American Legal History Post-Emancipation with Brandi Brimmer
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Associate professor Brandy Brimmer reflects on her fellowship experiences and research in historical legal practices regarding Black attorneys post-Em...
Episode 140: Brian Hsu’s Collaborations on Cherokee Word Order, Star Trek, and the Faculty Fellowship
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Hsu (FFP ’24) joins us this episode to share how he fell in love with language and linguistics from a young age. Additionally, Hsu describes h...
Episode 139: The Legacy and Evolution of the IAH’s Tyson Academic Leadership Program
16 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Institute for the Arts and Humanities Director Patricia Parker sits down with faculty program director Viji Sathy and Rob Kramer for discussion on aca...
Episode 138: Milada Vachudova on Political Change in Europe and Importance of Interdisciplinary Connections
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Political science professor Milada Vachudova (FFP ’05, ’15) discusses her research on political change in Europe. In this episode, Vachudova provi...
Episode 137: How Inger Brodey Applies Public Humanities to Jane Austen Scholarship and SCiLL
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Inger Brodey (FFP '11, '24) shares details about her new publication, Jane Austen and the Price of Happiness, and her upcoming Jane Austen research sh...
Episode 136: Adam Versényi on Dramaturgy, Translation, and the Chairs Leadership Program
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Adam Versényi is a professor of dramaturgy in the UNC Department of Dramatic Art. In this episode, Versényi shares his collaborative work in dramatu...
Episode 135: Historian Michelle King and the Impact of Fu Pei-mei
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
History associate professor Michelle King specializes modern Chinese gender history and food history. In this episode, she discusses her experience in...
Episode 134: Weil Speaker Judy Woodruff on ‘America at the Crossroads’
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In advance of the 2024 Weil Lecture on March 25, Director Patricia Parker conducts a phone interview with speaker Judy Woodruff. During her lecture, W...
Episode 133: Examining Biblical Texts with Assistant Professor Hugo Mendez
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Assistant professor of religious studies Hugo Mendez (FFP '22) discusses his research in his recent book projects: one exploring the role of St. Steph...
International Collaborative Research with Associate Professor Andrea Bohlman
24 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea Bohlman is an associate professor of music who received a 2023 Summer International Collaborative Research Grant from the Institute for the Art...
Episode 131: The Women of NOW with historian Katherine Turk
15 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Historian Katherine Turk (FFP ’21) discusses her new book, The Women of NOW: How Feminists Built an Organization that Transformed America (The Macmi...
Episode 130: When the Swelling Goes Down with Actor, Playwright Samuel Ray Gates
18 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Actor and playwright Samuel Ray Gates (FFP ’22) talks about his Faculty Fellowship experience, where he continued his work on his one-person show, W...
Episode 129: Digital Humanities, Game Studies, and International Collaborations with Courtney Rivard
06 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Recorded in spring 2023, Courtney Rivard, a 2023 fellow in the Tyson Academic Leadership Program, discusses her work as Director of the digital litera...
Episode 128: Kenneth Janken on Bringing the Wilmington Ten to the Public’s Attention
10 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
African, African American and diaspora studies professor Kenneth Janken received the 2022 George H. Johnson Prize for Distinguished Achievement by an ...
Episode 127: Slavery as History and Memory with 2023 Reckford Lecturer Ana Lucia Araujo
10 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Recorded in February 2023, Director Patricia Parker talks with 2023 Reckford Lecture speaker and historian Ana Lucia Araujo about her research. Watch...
Ep 126: Public Humanities Engagement and Interdisciplinary Collaborations with Patricia Parker
08 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Institute for the Arts and Humanities Patricia Parker talks about the impact of public humanities engagement. She also shares her recent interdiscipli...
Episode 125: Leadership and Engaged Humanities Scholarship with Patricia Parker - Part 1
25 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Institute for the Arts and Humanities Director Patricia Parker reflects on her first year leading the IAH, and how her experiences and work in engaged...
Episode 124: Viji Sathy on the Academic Leadership Program
20 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Viji Sathy, the IAH's Tyson Academic Leadership Program Director, talks about how the program helps faculty across the UNC-Chapel Hill campus, her exp...
Episode 112: The History of Trans-Africa/Ron Williams
09 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Assistant professor of African, African American and Diaspora Studies, Ron Williams joins The Institute to discuss his latest book project, an institu...
Episode 123: Oswaldo Estrada on the Faculty Fellowship Program
30 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Oswaldo Estrada, professor of Romance studies, discusses the Faculty Fellowship Program. After receiving a fellowship three times, Estrada returned as...
Episode 122: Recovering stories from the past: The Sewing Girl’s Tale
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
History professor John Wood Sweet joins the podcast to talk about his new book, The Sewing Girl's Tale: A Story of Crime and Consequences in Revolutio...
Episode 121: Interview with 2022 Reckford Speaker Magdalena J. Zaborowska
06 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
After the 2022 Reckford Lecture, speaker Magdalena Zaborowska joins Patricia Parker and Sharon Holland for a deeper dive into themes from her remark...
Episode 120 Performance And The US-Mexico Border With China Medel
06 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Recorded in summer 2021, Fall 2021 Faculty Fellow China Medel talks about her work in media and performance studies, as well as her manuscript Spectra...
Episode 119: The Endurance Project with Gwendolyn Schwinke and Maya Gurantz
24 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Assistant Professor Gwendolyn Schwinke and Artist Maya Gurantz discuss their latest collaboration, The Endurance Project. A Work-In-Progress showing ...
Episode 60: Chris Clemens Professor Of Physics And Astronomy
10 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In February of 2018, Former IAH Director Mark Katz interviews astrophysicist and College of Arts and Sciences Dean Chris Clemens about his research of...
Episode 118: Senator Claire McCaskill
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Pat Parker (Director, Institute for the Arts and Humanities) interview Claire McCaskill on her career in politics and her thoughts on the cu...
Episode 117: Uncovering Abandoned Voices Of Antiquity With Hérica Valladares
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Associate Professor of Classics Hérica Valladares speaks with Philip on her current research project regarding the material culture of domestic Ancie...
Episode 116: Literature On The Politics Of Noise With Petal Samuel
27 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Literary Scholar and Assistant Professor of African, African American, and Diaspora Studies Petal Samuel sits down to discuss her current research pro...
Episode 115: 2020 Johnson Prize Award Winner Betsy Olson
25 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Geography Professor Betsy Olson, recipient of the George Johnson Prize for Distinguished Achievement by an IAH Fellow, sits with Philip to discuss her...
Episode 114: Studying BTS With Candace Epps Robertson
28 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Philip speaks with Assistant Professor of English and Comparative Literature Candace Epps-Robertson. In our conversation, Professor E...
Episode 113: Helga Davis
13 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Helga Davis, musician, artist, Carolina Performing Arts artist in residence speaks with us on the life of an interdisciplinary artist!
Episode 112: The History Of TransAfrica With Ron Williams
16 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Assistant Professor Ron Williams (Department of African, African American, and Diaspora Studies) discusses his current book project on the advocacy or...
Episode 111 Theater Of The Everyday And Marginilized With Jacqueline Lawton
14 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Assistant Professor of Dramatic Art Jacqueline Lawton joins us again to talk about the projects she is doing! How are her plays living on despite the ...
Episode 110: Afro-German Afrofuturism With Priscilla Layne
31 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Associate Professor Priscilla Layne talks about her latest research on Afro-German Afrofuturism in literature and theater.
Episode 109: The Poetry Of W.E.B. Du Bois With Rebecka Rutledge Fisher
13 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Associate Professor of English and Comparative Literature Rebecka Rutledge Fisher discusses her decades-long research on the work of prolific author W...
Episode 108: Medicine and the Armed Forces with Jocelyn Chua
31 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Associate Professor of Anthropology Jocelyn Chua discusses her current research on the use of pyscho-pharmaceuticals by active duty soldiers in the US...
Episode 107: Southern Futures With Melody Hunter-Pillion And Corban Davis
17 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Melody Hunter-Pillion and Corban Davis speak with Philip on the Southern Futures Initiative and the Southern Futures podcast. Learn more at southern...
Episode 106: Italian Medieval Lit With Maggie Fritz-Morkin
02 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Assistant Professor of Italian Maggie Fritz-Morkin speaks with us about her work in Medieval Studies!
Episode 105: Music Of Arab America Post 9/11 With Michael Figueroa
18 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Music Professor Michael Figueroa talks about the music of Arab America as a key component to post-9/11 racial identity formation. Subscribe so you d...
BONUS: Meaning Of Aging In COVID Times With Jane Thrailkill (ZOOM Talks Series)
09 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
English Professor Jane Thrailkill discusses the meaning of aging during the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of humanities in health-related matters. ...
RE-POST: Rev Dr William J Barber II
03 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Recorded in September 2017, Journalist M. Clay Barnes interviews Reverend Doctor William J. Barber II, architect of the Moral Monday movement and co-c...
BONUS: Judith Butler (Zoom Talks Series)
27 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Professor of Comparative Literature (UC-Berkeley) Judith Butler joins IAH Director Andy Perrin and English Professor Florence Dore to discuss the esse...
Episode 104: Poet Gaby Calvocoressi
22 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Poet and Associate Professor Gaby Calvocoressi speaks with us on what made her a poet, the creative process, and possibilities for being creative in q...
BONUS: Leadership During Crisis With Terry Rhodes And Elizabeth Engelhardt (Zoom Talks Series)
15 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
College of Arts and Sciences Dean Terry Rhodes and Senior Associate Dean for Fine Arts and Humanities Elizabeth Engelhardt speak to challenges in lead...
Episode 103: The Gig Economy With Alexandrea Ravenelle
08 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Assistant Professor Alexandrea Ravenelle (Sociology) discusses her research on the gig economy as well as her book HUSTLE AND GIG: Struggling and Surv...
BONUS: IAH Zoom Talks with Eric Klinenberg
27 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sociology Professor Eric Klinenberg (New York University) kicks off the IAH's "Zoom Talks" series with an insightful conversation on the new reality d...
Episode 102: Inclusive Teaching During COVID-19 With Viji Sathy
23 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Teaching Associate Professor Viji Sathy (Psychology & Neuroscience) talks with us about the transition of course work in response to the COVID-19 ...
BONUS: On The Question Of Beloved Community With Ronald Judy
14 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 2020 Mary Stevens Reckford Memorial Lecture in European Studies with Dr. Ronald Judy (University of Pittsburgh) was ...
Episode 101: ”UFOs are a Myth. Myths are Real” with David Halperin
06 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
David Halperin, Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, talks about his latest book INTIMATE ALIEN: THE HIDDEN STORY OF THE UFO (Stanford University ...
Episode 100: Ronald A. Judy
04 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
R.A. Judy, Professor of English at Pittsburgh University, discusses his career in literary studies and also previews his topic for the upcoming Mary S...
Episode 99: The Chilean Protests With Eric Thomas
20 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Anthropology PhD student Eric Thomas sits down with us to discuss his research in southern Chile as well as the current uprising in Santiago de Chile,...
Episode 98: The Experience Of Art And Music With Carol Magee And Lee Weisert
04 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Associate Professor Carol Magee (Art & Art History) and Associate Professor Lee Weisert (Music) discuss their latest research!
Episode 97: Human Response To Climate Change with Michael Gutierrez and Caela O’Connell
21 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Gutierrez (English & Comp. Lit, novelist) and Caela O'Connell (Anthropology) discuss human response to climate change and natural disaster...
Episode 96: Local Interpretation Of Federal Policies With Jackie Hagan And Mai Nguyen
03 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jacquelyn Hagan (Sociology) and Mai Nguyen (City & Regional Planning) discuss the intersections of their research. They also discuss what federal ...
Episode 95: Effects Of Dialect On Testing With J. Michael Terry
19 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Professor J. Michael Terry talks about his research on linguistic bias of standardized testing.
Episode 94: Examining the Literature of Hate with Danielle Christmas
09 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Assistant Professor Danielle Christmas discusses her latest book project on the literature of the contemporary American white nationalist movement.
RE-POST: Episode 86: Maritime Artistic Creation With Maggie Cao
22 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Assistant Professor, Art Historian Maggie Cao discusses her work on 19th century landscapes and her latest book project on artistic creation in the ma...
RE-POST: Episode 68: Writing Plays And Teaching Drama With Jacqueline Lawton
08 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jacqueline Lawton, Assistant Professor of Dramatic Art, sits down with us to talk drama: teaching and writing. She also talks about the inspiration of...
RE-POST: Episode 79: The Importance Of Physical Objects With Lyneise Williams
25 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Associate Professor of Art History Lyneise Williams discusses her recent talk at an art symposium in southern France and shares her thoughts on the im...
RE-POST: Episode 58: Charles Price On Rastafarian Collective Identity
11 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In an episode from January 2018, Associate Professor of Anthropology Charles Price discusses his current project on Rastafarian Identity
Episode 93: IAH Director Andy Perrin
27 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Philip speaks with new IAH Director Andy Perrin on his research and how he will apply it to leading the Institute for the next 5 years. Dr. Perrin beg...
RE-POST Episode 56: T Bone Burnett
13 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We interview T Bone Burnett on his introduction to music, inspiration, collaboration, and utilizing both analog and digital technologies in music prod...
RE-POST Episode 65: On Marielle Franco With Kia Caldwell
30 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This summer we are taking a hiatus to reformat the show and acquire and master new equipment. In the meantime, enjoy a 2018 interview with Professor...
Episode 92: Science On Sacred Waters With Lauren Leve
24 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Associate Professor of Religious Studies speaks with Sophia on her work with UNC math and science professors on a sacred glacial lake in Nepal as well...
Episode 91: Scripting Death With Mara Buchbinder
06 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Associate Professor of Social Medicine Mara Buchbinder discusses her research on assisted death in Vermont and how policy, practice, and medicine inte...
Episode 90: Conception of War in Ancient China with Uffe Bergeton
18 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Assistant Professor of Asian Studies Uffe Bergeton talks about Ancient China and the concept of sanctioned conflict.
Episode 89: Owning The Ocean? With Elizabeth Havice
05 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Associate Professor of Geography Elizabeth Havice talks territory, oceans and tuna!
Episode 88: Voices Of Mississippi With William Ferris
21 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Mark Katz (Institute Director, Professor of Music) interviews Professor Emeritus William Ferris on his Grammy Award-winning boxed set "Voices of Missi...
Episode 87: Prague’s Modernity With Chad Bryant
07 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Associate Professor of History Chad Bryant discusses his current book project on Prague's history in the 20th century.
Episode 86: Maritime Artistic Creation With Maggie Cao
15 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Assistant Professor, Art Historian Maggie Cao discusses her work on 19th century landscapes and her latest book project on artistic creation in the ma...
Episode 85: Why Are There So Few Muslim Terrorists? with Charles Kurzman
31 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Charles Kurzman speaks with Sophia on his research on Muslim-Americans.
Episode 84: The Lumbee Indians: An American Struggle With Author Malinda Maynor Lowery
17 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
History Professor Malinda Maynor Lowery talks about her new book The Lumbee Indians: An American Struggle (UNC Press) and about her involvement in the...
Episode 83: The Reckoning Of Silent Sam With Jennifer Ho
03 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
English Professor and IAH Associate Director Jennifer Ho discusses the recent (recorded Dec. 18, 2018) issues revolving around the fate of the UNC's C...
Episode 82: A Career In The Humanities with Lloyd Kramer
19 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We speak with Director of Carolina Public Humanities and History Professor Lloyd Kramer. He reflects on his career in the humanities and discusses how...
Episode 81: Evolution And Environment With David Pfennig
06 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Biology Professor David Pfennig discusses his research on how environment can effect evolution of species.
Episode 80: Revitalizing The Cherokee Language With Misha Becker
20 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Linguistics Professor Misha Becker discusses how efforts for the revitalization of the Basque language in Spain might help inform work being done to s...
Episode 79: Art & the Importance Of Physical Objects With Lyneise Williams
08 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Associate Professor of Art History Lyneise Williams discusses her recent talk at an art symposium in southern France and shares her t...
Episode 78: New Writing Challenges With Daniel Wallace
23 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
As an author and professor, Daniel Wallace leads the creative writing program in the Department of English and Comparative Literature at UNC- Chapel H...
Episode 77: The Obama Presidency with Prof. Claude Clegg
10 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Distinguished Professor Claude Clegg talks with us about his latest book project on a history of the Obama Presidency.
Episode 76: On Stand-Up Comedy And Billy Graham With Michelle Robinson
21 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Associate Professor of American Studies Michelle Robinson talks with us on her current book on Billy Graham and her studies on stand-up comedy.
Episode 75: Atlantic Bonds: The Latest Book by Lisa Lindsay
06 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Lisa Lindsay, Distinguished Professor of History and Department Chair, talks with us about her latest book, Atlantic Bonds: A Nineteenth-Century from ...
Episode 74: Vietnam War Hero Roy Benavidez With William Sturkey
21 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
History Professor William Sturkey speaks with us about a recent course he taught on the Civil Rights Era as well as his current research project on th...
Episode 73: Music Of Black Panther And The Ugandan Guitar With David Pier
07 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Associate Professor David Pier talks about his current research on Ugandan music. We also talk about the music of Black Panther (2017) and the synth...
Bonus Episode: Introducing New Co - Host Sophia Ramos
31 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Philip interviews Sophia Ramos, new co-host of The Institute!
Episode 72: NC Mill Town Geo-visualization with Javier Arce Nazario And Rudi Colloredo-Mansfeld
25 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We sit down with Senior Associate Dean Rudi Colloredo-Mansfeld and Associate Professor of Geography Javier Arce-Nazario about their collaboration on t...
Episode 71: Peace And Conflict With Mark Crescenzi
10 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Mark Crescenzi talks about his research on Peace and Conflict and how international relations influences his leadership style.
Episode 70: Monuments And Melville With Tim Marr
26 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Associate Professor of American Studies Tim Marr speaks with us about a recent class on American monuments and the ways in which Herman Melville has s...
Episode 69: Philosophy, Politics, And Economics With Geoffrey Sayre-McCord
11 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Geoffrey Sayre-McCord sits down with Clay to talk about the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Program at UNC and also extols the works of ...