Hypothesis

Hello Scholars! In the office today we have Veronica Velasquez to talk about archaeology, utopian communities, material culture, and how the spaces and objects around us can shape the way we understand and organize society. We also dive into feminist approaches to domestic labor, how architecture can influence human behavior, pottery and colonial power in Mexico, and why archaeology can challenge the stories preserved...

Who's an Expert?

A PhD? Professional experience? Lived experience? Years spent studying one incredibly specific subject? And in a world where anyone can confidently explain almost anything into a camera, how do we tell the difference between expertise and simply sounding authoritative?

In this episode of From My Desk, Ira digs into the complicated question of who gets to be considered an expert. We explore academic credentials, met...

Hello Scholars! In the office today we have Anthony David Vernon to talk about disability studies, accessibility, and how rethinking the way we teach and communicate complex ideas could benefit everyone. We also dive into the problems with traditional academia, the importance of meeting students where they are, and what anime, cartoons, Disney adults, and Barbenheimer can teach us about philosophy and the way we under...

From My Desk #1 | Is Academic Writing Too Hard to Read? Welcome to the very first episode of From My Desk—our new minisodes where I step away from the interview chair to explore one big academic idea at a time. This week we're asking a simple question: Why is academic writing so difficult to read? Is complex language necessary for rigorous research? Or has academia confused expertise with inaccessibility? We...

Hello Scholars! In the office today we have Dr. Michael Patrick Vaughn to talk about gay identity, collective memory, and how the medical trauma of HIV/AIDS has shaped the way generations of gay men understand themselves and their communities. We also talk about whether identity ever really “crystallizes,” how our memories—and the things we've forgotten—shape who we are, making the personal soc...

Hello Scholars! In the office today we have Dr. Richard A. Price to talk about special education in the US and, specifically, how teachers are taught to work with students with disabilities and what challenging the biases and systems currently in place could mean for those students and everyone else. For the articles discussed in this episode, check out our Substack! iramcintosh.substack.com You can follow Dr. Price on:

Instagram...

Hello Scholars! In the office today we have Dr. Xavier Small who is a counselor, pastor, and recent PhD graduate who is here to talk about mentorship, faith-based counseling, and what it means to be aware of your faith and still use your mind. For the articles discussed in this episode, check out our Substack! iramcintosh.substack.com You can follow Dr. Small on: Podcast: The Martian Talk Podcast

Instagram: @unicorn.phd 

Ti...

Hello Scholars! Today I get to catch up with my old friend, Alan Herrera, who is a journalist and member of the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the USA. It’s a highly informative conversation about the future of journalism, why it’s so easy for us to rush into conspiracy, and the importance of media literacy. For the articles discussed in this episode, check out our Substack! iramcintosh.substack.com Y...

Hello Scholars! Today is a deep conversation with Mannie Brown into how faculty, staff, and administration can best support university students, the ripple effect of COVID19 on students, and what the university system could look like in the future!  For the articles discussed in this episode, check out our Substack! iramcintosh.substack.com You can follow Mannie Brown on: TikTok: @prof.envy and @emeraldenvyyy Instagram: @pro...

Hello Scholars! I had so much fun talking with Dr. Clementine Vann-Alexander! You won't want to miss this spirited discussion about postfeminism, how Hollywood writes female roles, and the deeper meanings behind makeover movies. Truly an amazing conversation! For the articles discussed in this episode, check out our Substack! iramcintosh.substack.com You can follow Dr. Vann-Alexander on: TikTok: @clemmieishere Instagram: @clemmie...

Hello Scholars! Today is an exciting day in the office because I have Hassan Elzawy here to discuss the historical roots of Egyptology, what it’s like studying Egyptology as an Egyptian both in Egypt and the UK, and how colonialism affects the field of research. If you’re a fan of ancient Egypt, this episode is just for you! For the articles discussed in this episode, check out our Substack! iramcintosh.substack.com Y...

Hello Scholars! Today in the office we are talking to Camren Lewin who is studying urban renewal in Knoxville, Tennessee, and its racist and classist roots. We discuss how city planning is touted to be for the benefit of those living in poor areas, but ultimately is used to gentrify and exclude the residents from the benefits of an updated neighborhood.

For the articles discussed in this episode, check out our Substack! iramcintosh...

Hello Scholars! Shan Cawley is in the office today to help us dispel myths around life in West Virginia, explore what life is like for first generation low-income college students, and who knows, maybe Moth Man will show up! 

For the articles discussed in this episode, check out our Substack! iramcintosh.substack.com

You can follow Shan on: TikTok: @drfreakingidiot Instagram: @dr.idiot_

You can follow us on:  TikTok: @th...

Hello Scholars! Welcome back to my office! Today we have an exciting episode where myself and Dr. Moiya McTier discuss Galactic Bulges, the history of humans looking up at the stars and what all of that has to do with folklore!

For the articles discussed in this episode, check out our Substack! iramcintosh.substack.com

You can follow Dr. McTier on: TikTok: @goastromo Instagram: @goastromo YouTube:  ⁨@goastromo Website: www.moi...

Hello Scholars! Welcome back to my office! It's time for another episode and, with things the way they are in the world, Leia Bellinger is here to lend some insight into the trans experience, gender affirming care for young people, and what it means to explore gender expression. 

For the articles discussed in this episode, check out our Substack! iramcintosh.substack.com

You can follow Leia on: TikTok: @letgowithleia

You can...

Hello Scholars! Welcome back to the office for another episode! Today I'm talking with Travis Hubbard about his research into the multiple Englishes that are spoken around the world. We discuss the ins and outs of Academic English, Mainstream English, Black English, etc., and how educational systems aren't allowing for the ebb and flow of language to change. 

For the articles discussed in this episode, check out our Substack! ...

Hello Scholars! Welcome back to the office and boy is today's episode a doozy! We talk about the origins of the slave trade in the United States, the myths that have surrounded its origins, and explore the research of my guest, Kaelyn Apple, to work on rewriting the history books and figure out the real truth behind the stories.

For the articles discussed in this episode, check out our Substack! iramcintosh.substack.com

You can fol...

Hello Scholars! Welcome back to the office for this episode where I discuss the relationship of the legal system to young people. I speak with Mark Yin who is researching how children and young adults can be empowered to advocate for themselves and the ways in which criminal systems restrict their voices. 

For the articles discussed in this episode, check out our Substack! iramcintosh.substack.com

You can follow Mark on:

TikT...

Hello Scholars! Today's episode is an exploration of audio science and how decibel levels really affect our hearing with Demi Oshin. We also discuss the creation of new methodologies and ways to discuss new science, it's really fascinating!

For the articles discussed in this episode, check out our Substack! iramcintosh.substack.com

You can follow Demi on:

TikTok: @demiaoshin

Instagram: @demiaoshin

Substack: @demiaoshin

You can fo...