Besides its obvious destructive properties, lava can tell us a lot about Earth and other planetary bodies in our solar system. Changing our relationship with molten rock could have implications far beyond the confines of our solitary planet. As hosts Yousuf Hassan and Liam Clifford learn from Earth Sciences PhD Gavin Tolometti, analyzing volcanic and impact melt flows increases our understanding of surface processes on the Moon and Mars by studying lava flows in Idaho and Iceland. In addition, as Gavin concludes his PhD, he speaks to his future aspirations and why this research is important for the wider public.
To find out more from Gavin, follow him on Twitter @GavinOnTheMoon, on Instagram @gavin4science_94 , on his website https://gavintolometti.wixsite.com/gavinonthemoon, or his lab's website https://www.spacerocks.ca/teams/
Full video on YouTube
Recorded on Aug 4, 2020
Produced by Ariel Frame
Theme Song provided by https://freebeats.io Produced by White Hot
In April 1994, the small Central African country of Rwanda would begin to spiral uncontrollably into the darkest period of its short history. What ensued over the course of the next three months was a genocide supported by the incumbent regime that slaughtered an estimated 500,000-1,000,000 people. With so many murdered, how could this have happened? In a fascinating conversation with PhD candidate John Trafford from UWO’s Political Science department, it is revealed how artificial constructions of identity left to ferment can have dire consequences. Hosts Ariel Frame and Liam Clifford engage with John's discussion of the historical differences between the Hutu and Tutsi, the contextual pre-Genocide Civil War, and how colonialism’s legacy lasts long after its demise.
Full video available on YouTube
Recorded on July 28th, 2020
Produced by Gavin Tolometti
“Theme song provided by https://freebeats.io/ Produced by White Hot”
Dr. James Steinhoff is a recent graduate from the Media Studies PhD program in the Faculty of Information and Media Studies at Western University, currently a Post-Doctoral researcher at University of Washington. James enlightens Yimin Chen and Ariel Frame about his work investigating how artificial intelligence, or simply automation in general, impacts work and workers. For a deeper dive into James' insights check out his co-authored book published last year, Inhuman Power, his Academia.edu page and his recent DigiLabour talk about his upcoming book Automation and Autonomy
Recorded on July 23, 2020
Produced by Ariel Frame
Them song provided by freebeats.io Produced by White Hot
In tough times, we all need a little help from our friends. Sometimes, those tough times are when we are caring for someone with dementia, or had a stroke. Jovana Sibalija joins hosts Monica Molinaro and Sarah Klapman to discuss the necessity of social networks (not the Facebook kind) for caregiver wellness. They discuss who may be in a social network, what social support may look like, and why caregivers may not necessarily want social support. They also discuss why caregivers are an integral backbone to the health care system in Canada, and how caregivers can be better supported. To find out more from Jovana follow her on Twitter @JoSibalija, LinkedIn, or email her at jsibalij@uwo.ca
Full video on YouTube
Recorded on July 21, 2020
Produced by Ariel Frame
Theme song provided by https://freebeats.io Produced by White Hot
Olivia Ghosh-Swaby is a PhD student in the neuroscience program conducting research with mice elucidating how poor diet reduces and exercising benefits the brain. Olivia excitedly informs hosts Nick Handfield-Jones and Ariel Frame about her growing expertise in the field of brain plasticity and her newest research findings including treatment of mice with the drug metformin.
To find out more from Olivia, follow her on Twitter @ogoshhsw
Full video on YouTube
This episode was recorded on Tuesday, July 14th and was edited by Laura Muñoz Baena
How do you turn capitalism into a force for environmental protection? Join hosts Yousuf Hasan and Sarah Klapman as they talk to Economics Ph.D. candidate Emmanuel Murray Leclair about economics, international relations, pollution havens, philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, and everything in between.
If you would like to contact Emmanuel and learn more about his research you can find him on
Facebook and Twitter
@EmmanuelMurrayL
Recorded on July 7th, 2020.
This episode was produced by Gavin Tolometti
Hosts Monica and Greg interview P.T./Ph.D. student Morgan Jennings about her work on virtual visits for individuals post-knee surgery. Started before the COVID-19 pandemic (and before virtual visits became more popular), Morgan’s research has been focused on developing an app to identify knee wounds post-surgery and identify if someone would need to visit a physician for a follow-up appointment in order to reduce unnecessary appointments for patients. Morgan also talks about her work at the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, how that work inspired her Master’s and current Ph.D. research, and what she hopes for her future in evidence-based practice.
Full video can be found on YouTube
This episode was recorded on Tuesday June 30th and produced by Gregory Ian Robinson.
Mohammad Sharifi (SOGS Racial Equity and Inclusivity Commissioner) spoke about issues concerning marginalized graduate students at Western with hosts Sarah Klapman and Yousuf Hasan. Mo explained his involvement in Western’s Anti-racism Working Group. The main purpose was to gather feedback regarding racism and to develop an action plan for a more equitable environment for our community. Mo also chatted with us about the experiences that led him to become SOGS Racial Equity and Inclusivity Commissioner and why it was especially important to fight for racialized students.
For more information, check out SOGS on: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Discord
Watch the full episode on YouTube
This video was recorded on June 22nd and produced by Gregory Ian Robinson
Elizabeth Mohler is an incoming PhD student in Occupational Science and a disability advocate. She is joined by co-hosts Rhys Paterson and Yousuf Hasan. Elizabeth chatted about the unique difficulties that people with disabilities have been experiencing amid the pandemic. As someone who has vision loss, she shared with us how challenging it can be to follow basic safety protocols. We also chatted about her co-authored book on Creating a Culture of Accessibility in the Sciences (2016) and her research on making STEM more accessible. To find out more from Elizabeth check out her Twitter @mohlerc
Full video available on YouTube
Recorded on June 24, 2020
Produced by Ariel Frame
Heather Stewart is currently doing her PhD in Philosophy. She chats about her research on harmful speech phenomena with cohosts Yousuf Hasan and Gregory Robinson. Heather argues that the more microaggressions are inhibited and discouraged, the more equitable and free our speech becomes.
To find out more about Heather, visit her website.
Full video on YouTube.
Produced by Yousuf Hasan. Recorded on June 23, 2020.
