Welcome to the University’s official podcast.
Quadcast is the official podcast of the University of Rochester. Its content is conceived and created by members of the faculty, staff, and student body. The opinions and ideas expressed in the Quadcast, while likely entertaining and brilliant, do not necessarily reflect the opinions and ideas of the University.
Expect the Fed to begin lowering interest rates
The July meeting of the Federal Reserve will likely mark the beginning of a prolonged period of lower interest rates, says Narayana Kocherlakota, the Lionel W. McKenzie Professor of Economics at the University of Rochester. Kocherlakota, a former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, says there are signs that the Fed will cut rates; the only question is by how much.
Trying to stem the tide of rising teen suicide rates
Researchers and clinicians, among them experts at the University of Rochester and the Medical Center, have been working hand in hand to address the increase of children and adolescents experiencing a suicide crisis.
Graduating seniors share memories, look ahead
As Rochester prepares for its 169th Commencement, four graduating students talk about their aspirations for the future and share some of their favorite memories as members of the Class of 2019. From favorite professors to landing the dream job, Class of 2019 members Gillian Gingher, Gabriel Guisado, Beatriz Gil, and Benton Gordon use this memorable milestone to look ahead.
Free speech and trigger warnings
For some, the tenets of the First Amendment are sacrosanct. Others consider free speech at its strongest when we protect more marginalized and vulnerable voices. In this episode of the University’s Quadcast podcast, dean of students Matt Burns and political science professor David Primo shed light on this growing debate.
Should higher education go digital?
From smartphones and social media to augmented spaces and virtual reality —three Rochester professors discuss the role digital technologies play in our learning.
What’s the problem with civility?
Three Rochester professors discuss the nature of America’s political and social divide and offer ideas on how higher education might help bridge the widening gap.
An academic understanding of hate
Listening to the news, it can feel as though acts of violence—particularly violence inspired by bigotry and hate—are on the rise, and unfortunately the numbers back that up. How are we to make sense of this rise? Three Rochester researchers sat down for an academic conversation about hate and intolerance, discussing reactions to recent incidents of hate, important lessons from history, and the psychology of stereotypes and intolerance.
WRUR celebrates 70 years
The radio station that began in the basement of Burton Hall is now 70 years old. What might be said about radio in general could also be said about WRUR: it has shown remarkable persistence.
The citizen economist
Economics factor into almost every part of our professional, social, and personal lives; yet many of us have little understanding how economics shape our world and our places in it. In this episode, we look at economics from a more universal perspective and discuss how understanding the discipline can be as empowering as it is informative.
Rochester implements restorative practices
In this episode of the Quadcast podcast, experts and scholars in the field of restorative practices talk about their work and what they hope to accomplish through an ongoing initiative at the University of Rochester.
Dean Donald Hall shares priorities, vision for Arts, Sciences & Engineering
The Quadcast team sits down with Donald Hall, the new dean of the faculty for Arts, Sciences & Engineering, to discuss his approach to building academic communities, to growing an increasingly diverse and inclusive faculty, and to fostering the internationalization of higher education.
Frederick Douglass speech still resonates
On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass spoke to the Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society in Rochester, New York and delivered what has become his iconic speech posing the question, “What, to the American Slave, is your Fourth of July?” Widely regarded as one of the most persuasive and informed arguments against the institution of slavery, Douglass’ speech asks us to think critically about the continuing importance of liberty, freedom, and equality both in America and abroad. Hear notable passages of the speech read by faculty, students, and staff in celebration of the University of Rochester’s connection to Frederick Douglass and the city he called home from 1847–1872.
How to spot eating disorders
About 20 million women and 10 million men in the United States suffer from eating disorders, which range from the more commonly known anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa to the lesser known binge-eating and avoidant-restrictive-food-intake disorders. Among psychiatric disorders, eating disorders have the highest fatality rate. Teenagers are especially at risk and early intervention is key. But do you know what signs to look for? We talk with eating disorder specialists Mary Tantillo, a professor of clinical nursing, and Taylor Starr, director of the Eating Disorder Program at Golisano Children’s Hospital.
Multinationals pull strings at World Bank
The World Bank’s goal is to end poverty. The Bank is independent and provides loans to countries solely based on need and merit of the project. But that’s theory, say political scientists. In reality, some powerful multinational corporations seem to be pulling the strings. Quadcast host Sandra Knispel talks with Randy Stone, a University of Rochester professor of political science, about his findings that indicate undue corporate influence at the World Bank.
How to land a job out of college
What’s your dream job? What do you want to be? Every five-year-old has a quick answer or two to this question. But once you are at university it becomes more pressing. The question becomes—how do you land a real job straight out of college? Offices of career services have been a mainstay of American college campuses for decades. And they’ve had a consistent goal: to help undergraduates land the kind of satisfying jobs after graduation that make use of their educations and skills. But within that stable framework, there’s been a sea change in the way that college career guidance takes place.
20 insider tips for getting into your dream college
Grades. Clubs. Scores. Essays. Interviews. We’ve culled the advice of seasoned admissions professionals from the University of Rochester for a roadmap of what to do—and what to avoid.
History class uses podcasts to explore Erie Canal
If you’ve ever taken a college history course, chances are good that you prepared a research paper. For many sound reasons research papers have long been a favored capstone. But, according to Thomas Fleischman, an assistant professor of history at the University of Rochester, took a different approach last semester in his course on the environmental history of the Erie Canal. In lieu of having his students write a final research paper, the professor and the class teamed up to create a podcast series. The series, Under the Low Bridge, which borrows Thomas S. Allen’s popular Erie Canal folk song “Low Bridge” as its theme music—is part of the history department’s new podcast program Hear UR.
East High: Amid change, challenges persist
Students say the atmosphere at Rochester's East High School two years ago was "a hot mess" and disrespect was rampant. That's when the University of Rochester entered into an educational partnership with East High and began working to change the culture in the struggling school threatened by closure. Host Sandra Knispel speaks with members of the East High community to find out how far the school, the students, and the partnership have come since then.
Understanding the University’s economic impact
Like many institutes of higher learning, the University of Rochester simultaneously shapes its local economy while it creates knowledge, inspires learning, and explores research. In this episode, we look at the many ways this top-tier university influences its community through health care, education, sciences, and the arts.
Interest rates, inflation, and you
Former Federal Reserve leader Narayana Kocherlakota offers his insights on monetary policy and the need for diversity in economic models. Kocherlakota, now the Lionel W. McKenzie Professor of Economics at the University of Rochester, spoke with Quadcast Host Peter Iglinski about his personal background, his work, and his return to academia.
Polish Film Festival marks 20th year
Now in its 20th year, the Polish Film Festival is a fixture in Rochester, and for most of the last two decades, the job of choosing which films to feature has belonged to Bozenna Sobolewska, the administrative assistant of the Skalny Center for Polish and European Studies.
East High: Education professor sees an environment in transition
Joanne Larson takes academic-scientific knowledge of best practices directly to East High’s classrooms, support staff, administrators, and teachers. She says the school feels “180 degrees different.”
Ehsan Hoque, among ‘10 Scientists to Watch,’ is a study in resiliency
An expert in human-computer interaction and a pioneer in developing apps that help people hone their speaking and social skills, Hoque continues to apply lessons of resiliency he learned as an undergraduate.
Student leaders take the reins
The University of Rochester’s first all-female Students’ Association leadership team sits down with host Peter Iglinski to talk about their plans for the 2017-17 academic year. Jordan Smith and Rebecca Mooney discuss their passions, their futures, and “shattering a glass ceiling.”
Rebooting the brain for better vision after a stroke
Maybe you’ve recently suffered a stroke and are now starting therapy, trying to regain speech, motor functions, and possibly improve memory. But your vision is damaged, too, and there’s no therapy available.
Yet.
Krystel Huxlin, director of research and the James V. Aquavella Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Flaum Eye Institute, has been working in her lab over the last ten years to change that. Here’s how she sums up her latest results, published earlier this year in the journal Neurology:
“If people do exactly what we tell them and they don’t cheat, the success rate has been in our hands a 100 percent.”
Does guilt make good parenting?
There isn’t much Judith Smetana doesn’t know about parenting teenagers. Not just because she has first-hand experience of a sudden eyebrow-pierced offspring, or a teenage son’s bedroom door sealed off with a not so-subtle message “police line—do not cross”—but rather because she’s made it her life’s work to study kids’ moral development and adolescent-parent relationships.
A professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, Smetana has become a regular go-to for national media such as the New York Times, Reuters, Time, and New York magazine. As a mentor and advisor to dozens of Rochester graduate students over an almost 40-year career, she has co-authored most recently a study with Wendy Rote, her former PhD student and now an assistant professor of psychology at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. The study, published in the journal Developmental Psychology, looks at the effect of using guilt as a parenting tool.
A student’s guide for back to school
First-year students have plenty of questions about college life. Thankfully, the University of Rochester has answers. In this episode of the Quadcast, host Caitlin Davie ’19 asks University staff, recent graduates, and current students for their tips on making a smooth and successful transition to college life. One of the best takeaways? “You’re in the same boat as everybody else.”
‘It’s time to let them fly’
Move-in day for the Class of 2021 is just around the corner. In this episode of the University’s Quadcast podcast, Nick Foti ’19 hears advice from parents, students and staff on facing that day when families drop their students off on campus for the first time.
Rochester, the draft, and an all-volunteer army
When President Richard Nixon ended the draft in 1973, he did so with the help of a roster of Rochester faculty and administrators. 100 years after the Selective Service Act established conscription, we look back on the University faculty and administrators who helped end it, and establish today’s all-volunteer military.
Mother of the Church
Russian emigre and Catholic convert Sofia Svechina operated one of the most popular salons in early 19th century Paris. In her book Mother of the Church Tatyana Bakhmetyeva, a lecturer with the Susan B. Anthony Institute, describes how Svechina rose in influence as an adviser to numerous political, social, and religious leaders of her day.
Think you have the University’s commencement traditions down pat?
A university can acquire (and abandon) a lot of traditions over 150-plus years. “Tradition guru” University archivist Melissa Mead takes us on a little tour of some of our quirky graduation traditions—then and now.
What really motivates us
Is it money, power, and fame? Or rather fear and punishment? For nearly 40 years Richard Ryan and Edward Deci, the founders of self-determination theory, have sought to answer the question of human motivation.
Graduating sisters overcome poverty, racism
Egyptian-born sisters Yasmin and Ayaa Elgoharry came to the U.S. aged seven and 11. Having nearly dropped out of high school, they are now each graduating with a master’s in educational leadership from the Warner School of Education.
Engineering skills meet ‘real world’ challenges
From drones that see color to devices that help veterinarians extract the objects our pets swallow, this year’s Design Day showcases 87 seniors projects from students in five engineering departments and computer science.
Take Five and a tuition-free fifth year
The Take Five Scholars Program is a University of Rochester original, offering an additional semester or year of study, tuition-free. As scholars Madison Carter ’18, Seneca Hutson ’18, and Tanveer Karim ’17 describe, the program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore personal, academic, and professional passions outside their majors. Take Five advisor Juliet Sullivan is also a guest, and talks with host Jim Ver Steeg about some of the details of the program and how interested students can apply.
Prog rockers belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Friday’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will welcome one of the most musically diverse class ever. John Covach, director of the University’s Institute of Popular Music, walks us through this year’s inductees and—with the help of his guitar—the Yes hit Roundabout.
Why did America enter World War I? Because Germany embarked on a deadly gamble.
One hundred years ago, on April 6, 1917, Congress voted to declare war on Germany, joining the bloody battle—then optimistically called the “Great War.” Rochester political scientist Hein Goemans explains why Germany was willing to risk American entry into the war.
Library acquires unknown Susan B. Anthony letters found in old barn
Forgotten for over a century, a recently discovered trove of more than a hundred letters fills in the political details of how the suffrage movement was run and the women activists who ran it.
‘When you have big data, you can get very lost’
Student host Nick Bruno ’17 talks with Warner School of Education professors Kara Finnigan and Karen DeAngelis about the opportunities and challenges data science presents to K-12 education researchers.
The sound behind the Grammys
With awards presented in 84 different categories, what does it mean today to produce award-worthy audio? Student host Nick Bruno ’17 checks in with Grammy Award-winner sound engineer Stephen Roessner, a lecturer in the University’s audio and music engineering program.
Transparent actor, producer, academics visit Rochester
Nora Rubel, director of the Susan B. Anthony Institute for Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, discusses the upcoming symposium on Transparent which the institute — now in its 30th year — is hosting.
What are the origins of Halloween?
Halloween is a staple in American culture, but what are the origins of the holiday? Emil Homerin, professor of religion, discusses Halloween’s roots in mysticism with student host Nick Bruno in this episode of QuadCast, the University’s official podcast.
The Monkees’ 50th anniversary: Interview with John Covach
John Covach talks with Nick Bruno in the studio about the Monkees, their influence on pop culture, and how their music ended up taking on a life of its own, in the premiere episode of UR Quad-Cast.