UVA Speaks
UVA Speaks
UVA Lifetime Learning
The University of Virginia Lifetime Learning program enriches the intellectual life of UVA’s alumni, parents, friends, and families through faculty lectures and online resources.
Psychedelic Healing Industry: Research and Realities
This UVA Speaks podcast features Adelaide Wilcox King, Associate Professor of Commerce at the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. King’s research focuses on the complex and evolving landscape of psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy through her academic insights as a strategy scholar. She examines an industry transitioning from the underground to the mainstream, and the cultural and social history of these powerful substances. She shares that she is part of an interdisciplinary group of scholars and clinicians at the university who are exploring the potential and pitfalls of psychedelics in addressing mental health issues and the broader implications for society. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Adelaide Wilcox King is an Associate Professor of Commerce at the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. She specializes in strategic management and decision-making, with a particular interest in positive organization studies and the influence of executive psychology on how strategic resources and human capital are valued and allocated in organizations. Her current interests center on the burgeoning psychedelic healing industry, and the systemic and organizational possibilities and constraints associated with efforts to alleviate suffering at scale.
Nov 11, 2024
30 min
Remote Workers and Digital Nomads: How to Create a Sense of Workplace
This UVA Speaks podcast features Melanie Prengler, Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. Prengler researches the increasing number of remote workers and digital nomads, exploring how these individuals are redefining the workplace. She highlights the challenges and adaptations organizations face when employees are not co-located and discusses how digital nomads and remote workers can create a consistent work environment, balancing freedom with familiarity. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Melanie Prengler is an Assistant Professor of Business Administration at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. At Darden, she teaches the “Contemporary Issues in Human Resources” class in the Leadership and Organizations Area. She studies how employees in remote work arrangements create a sense of workplace out of nonwork spaces_._
Oct 28, 2024
20 min
Making and Retrieving Long-Term Memories: How Does The Brain Do It?
This UVA Speaks podcast features Nicole Long, an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Virginia. A cognitive neuroscientist, Long and her colleagues at the Long Term Memory Lab study brain functions to explore the complexities of memory processing. Researchers use non-invasive techniques like MRIs and controlled laboratory tasks to discover how different brain regions are involved in various memory encoding and retrieval stages. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Nicole Long is an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Virginia. She is a professor and researcher at the Virginia Alzheimer’s Disease Center and a Principal Investigator in the Long Term Memory Lab. Through her research, Long and her colleagues aim to understand how we use strategic, goal-directed processes to form and retrieve memories.
Oct 4, 2024
26 min
Incorporating Mental Health Awareness into Schools and Public Policy
This UVA Speaks podcast features Kristen Roorbach, a psychotherapist, educational psychologist, and Lecturer at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia. She teaches a course entitled “Trauma and the U.S. Public School System” where she brings her clinical and research expertise to explore early childhood behavior and the impact of stress of trauma on learning. In her UVA classroom, Roorbach seeks to create an inclusive space for discussing public policy and addressing the complex interplay between mental health and education. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Kristen Roorbach is a psychotherapist, educational psychologist, and Lecturer at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia. As a clinician, Roorbach works with children ages 3 – 18, families, and individuals using brain-based and solution-focused methods to support them through issues related to anxiety, stress, trauma, depression, and challenging behavior.
Oct 2, 2024
26 min
Global Health: Treating Patients Across the Globe & Addressing Health Inequity
This UVA Speaks podcast features Scott Heysell, the Thomas H. Hunter, Associate Professor of International Medicine and Director of the Center for Global Health Equity at the University of Virginia. Dr. Heysell is an active clinician and researcher who supports partners worldwide in reducing tuberculosis-related deaths. He describes the work of UVA’s Center for Global Health Equity, which offers interdisciplinary research and clinical training opportunities across various global locations like Rwanda, South Africa, India, Nicaragua, and Southwest Virginia. In collaboration with their international partners, Heysell and the Center’s clinicians and researchers seek to dismantle structures of inequity and marginalization, respond to community needs, and build more equitable and effective global healthcare systems. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Scott Heysell, MD, MPH, is the Thomas H. Hunter Associate Professor of International Medicine and Director of the Center for Global Health Equity at UVA Health at the University of Virginia. Dr. Heysell is an active researcher and supports partners worldwide to reduce tuberculosis-related deaths and correct factors that contribute to tuberculosis, including poverty, health system management, and chronic medical conditions such as HIV and diabetes. His research group also studies maximizing drug efficacy to improve treatment outcomes.
Aug 15, 2024
34 min
UVA’s Tribal Liaison: Connecting the University to Native American Tribal Communities
This UVA Speaks podcast features Kody Grant, the University of Virginia’s Tribal Liaison in the Division for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. In this new position, Grant connects tribal communities and UVA’s faculty, staff, and students to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and understanding. With eleven tribal nations in Virginia, including seven federally recognized and four state-recognized tribes, Grant assists in navigating and translating each community's unique protocols and expectations. In this episode, he shares his vision for creating a welcoming environment at UVA for tribal citizens and his hopes for the future of Indigenous partnerships in higher education. For further information: https://dei.virginia.edu/tribal-relations. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Kody Grant is the Tribal Liaison in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Division at the University of Virginia. Before coming to UVA, he supervised the American Indian Initiative at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. He helped spearhead full-time American Indian programming throughout the museum, facilitated interpretation and training for historical and modern Indigenous perspectives for guests and coworkers, and reestablished outreach efforts for the organization. Mr. Grant is a member of the Pueblo of Isleta and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian tribes.
Aug 12, 2024
21 min
Exploring and Redefining U.S. Transportation Choices
This UVA Speaks podcast features Andrew Mondschein, Associate Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning and Associate Dean of Research at the School of Architecture at the University of Virginia. Mondshein provides an overview of the U.S. transportation system, which relies heavily on cars and often leads to traffic congestion and rising traffic fatalities. He highlights the importance of exploring multimodal transportation options to create more walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly cities and municipalities. When making infrastructure decisions, Mondshein emphasizes that transit choices cannot be made in isolation; broader equity and affordability considerations must also be considered. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Andrew Mondschein is an Associate Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning and Associate Dean of Research at the School of Architecture at the University of Virginia. He studies transportation systems and travel behavior to foster equitable and sustainable accessibility in cities and regions. Mondschein’s research addresses the rapidly changing terrain of transportation and information technologies.
Jul 30, 2024
27 min
UVA’s Youth Legal Defense Clinic
This UVA Speaks podcast features Crystal Shin, a Professor of Law and Director of the University of Virginia School of Law's Holistic Youth Defense Clinic. Shin explains that the clinic’s faculty and students represent their young clients in court proceedings, particularly those facing felony and misdemeanor charges. The clinic’s primary objective is to advocate for their young clients to keep them out of the system and in their homes, schools, and communities. Given the challenges and biases inherent in the criminal justice system, Shin highlights programs, such as the Restorative Justice program, that offer an alternative to traditional prosecution and incarceration. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here.  Crystal Shin is a Professor of Law at the University of Virginia’s School of Law and Director of the Holistic Youth Defense Clinic. She joined the Law School in 2017 and served as the first full-time faculty director of the Program in Law and Public Service until 2020. Before entering academia, Shin was an attorney for the JustChildren Program of the Legal Aid Justice Center, where she provided legal representation to children and families in special education, school discipline, juvenile justice, and immigration.
Jul 29, 2024
24 min
UVA’s Continuing Education: Expanding the Reach of Higher Education
This UVA Speaks podcast features Melissa Lubin, Dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) at the University of Virginia. Lubin discusses the school's mission to provide affordable, accessible, and achievable education that expands the University's reach to non-traditional learners and working adults. SCPS offers an essential pathway to degree completion, certificate programs, and lifelong learning opportunities for students to pursue personal and professional growth. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. Melissa Lubin is Dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) at the University of Virginia. Since joining SCPS in 2022, Dean Lubin has launched a strategic plan that links to UVA's 2030 Plan, expanded scholarship opportunities for students in need, and launched UVA Enlighten, a program to build a pathway to undergraduate degrees. Before joining UVA, Lubin served as Dean of the School of Professional & Continuing Education and Chief Economic Engagement Officer at James Madison University, where she was the university’s champion for community engagement and economic development. She also directed Virginia Tech’s Commonwealth Campus Centers in Richmond, Newport News, and Virginia Beach.
Jun 27, 2024
18 min
NATO: From Cold War Origins to Modern Challenges
This UVA Speaks podcast features John M. Owen, IV, Ambassador Henry J. and Mrs. Marion R. Taylor, Professor of Politics in the Department of Politics and a Senior Fellow at the Miller Center for Public Affairs at the University of Virginia. Owen explores NATO's 75-year history, from its Cold War origins to its pivotal role in global security and stability. He discusses how NATO’s mission has adapted, how Artificial Intelligence and quantum computing impact global affairs, and how the war in Ukraine has reshaped the alliance. Transcripts of the audio broadcast can be found here. John Owen is the Ambassador Henry J. and Mrs. Marion R. Taylor, Professor of Politics in the Department of Politics at the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at the University of Virginia. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture and the Miller Center for Public Affairs at the University of Virginia. From January to June 2024, Owen served as an Academic Visitor at Nuffield College at the University of Oxford in England. His latest book is The Ecology of Nations: American Democracy in a Fragile World Order (Yale University Press, 2023).
Jun 4, 2024
35 min
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