Stepping Forward As An LGBTQ Role Model In Tech CUNY Graduate Center podcast

35:24

Historian Benjamin Carter Hett, a professor at the CUNY Graduate Center and Hunter College, joins The Thought Project for a timely discussion of the rise of autocracy in America and its unsettling parallels to Europe in 1938. Hett is the author of The Death of Democracy, which examines Hitler’s rise to power and the fall of the Weimar Republic, and he brings his deep knowledge of history to analyze present politics. As U.S. leadership shifts away from supporting Ukraine, echoing the West’s abandonment of Czechoslovakia before World War II, Hett explores the warning signs of democratic backsliding and the consequences of appeasing authoritarian regimes. How does the erosion of democratic norms in the U.S. compare to the failures of the Weimar Republic? What lessons can history offer as NATO’s future hangs in the balance and American foreign policy changes course? Listen to a compelling conversation on the fragility of democracy and the lessons of the past. The Thought Project is produced by CUNY TV and hosted by Tanya Domi.…

CUNY Graduate Center

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Inside the New Certificate in LGBTQ Studies 23:32

πριν 26 μέρες23:32

23:32

The CUNY Graduate Center has launched a timely new Advanced Certificate in LGBTQ Studies. Its director Laura Westengard, a professor of English at New York City College of Technology, joins The Thought Project to discuss the years-long effort to establish the 15-credit program, how it provides students with a formal credential in LGBTQ studies, and its role in bridging academic research with real-world impact. She also shares insights from her own scholarship on Gothic queer culture, exploring how the Gothic tradition — monsters, horror, and the macabre — has shaped queer identity and representation. Listen to this far-ranging conversation and hear how a carefully designed academic program is expanding opportunities for students and helping to shape the future of LGBTQ scholarship. The Thought Project is produced by CUNY TV and hosted by Tanya Domi.…

CUNY Graduate Center

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How a $100K Gift Is Shaping the Future of LGBTQ Studies Center 30:21

πριν 5 weeks30:21

30:21

Founded at the CUNY Graduate Center over 30 years ago, CLAGS: The Center for LGBTQ Studies has been a leader in LGBTQ scholarship. Now, a $100,000 unrestricted gift from CUNY scholar James M. Saslow helping to secure its legacy and future impact. CLAGS Executive Director Matt Brim, a professor at the Graduate Center and the College of Staten Island, explores the significance of this donation, the center’s ongoing work, and its role in the Graduate Center’s new Advanced Certificate in LGBTQ Studies. He also highlights CLAGS’ annual José Muñoz Award, which this year honors Angela Davis for her contributions to social justice, prison abolition, and sexual equality advocacy. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on the enduring importance of LGBTQ scholarship.…

CUNY Graduate Center

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Mapping the Wreckage of War and Wildfires 44:01

πριν 7 weeks44:01

44:01

In this episode of The Thought Project, we delve into the innovative work of Corey Scher, whose satellite mapping techniques provide crucial insights into the human and environmental costs of conflict and disaster — from the wars in Ukraine and Gaza to wildfires in Los Angeles. Scher, an Earth and Environmental Sciences Ph.D. candidate at the CUNY Graduate Center, uses sophisticated mapping methods to reveal how warfare and environmental catastrophes change the built and natural landscape. His work illustrates not only the damage to structures, such as hospitals, schools, office buildings, and homes, but also severe ecological disruption, including contamination of air, soil, and water. His maps, developed by harnessing satellite radar data, cloud computing, and advanced geospatial techniques, have been featured by The New York Times, the Financial Times, The Washington Post, BBC, and NPR, and other leading news outlets. His research is also cited in reports from international humanitarian organizations. Tune in as we discuss the critical role of modern Earth observation in understanding conflict and environmental change and explore pathways to recovery and accountability in today’s turbulent world. Listen now for new insights.…

CUNY Graduate Center

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How the CUNY Mapping Service Supports a Fair Census 34:45

πριν 9 weeks34:45

34:45

How do we ensure every community is counted in the census? In a conversation on The Thought Project, Steven Romalewski, director of the CUNY Mapping Service, discusses the critical role of data mapping in ensuring a fair and accurate 2030 census. His team collaborates with national civil rights organizations, policymakers, and community groups to identify hard-to-count populations — such as immigrants, low-income residents, and people in rural communities — who are at risk of being overlooked. With real-time tracking tools, the CUNY Mapping Service helps guide outreach efforts, ensuring that census participation remains as inclusive and complete as possible. Romalewski highlights the stakes of an accurate count, from political representation to federal funding for schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. As the census shapes policy and resources for the next decade, his work is vital in making sure no community is left behind. Listen in to learn more.…

CUNY Graduate Center

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A Biochemist Seeks Better Prostrate Cancer Treatments 24:11

πριν 10 weeks24:11

24:11

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men, with risk factors including age, race, lifestyle, and environmental exposures. Daniel Okpattah, a Biochemistry Ph.D. student at the CUNY Graduate Center, studies the molecular processes that drive prostate cancer. His research focuses on how cancer cells grow, survive, and resist treatment, with the goal of improving early detection and developing more effective therapies. In this episode of The Thought Project podcast, Okpattah speaks with journalist Liz Rosenberg about how prostate cancer develops and why some forms are harder to treat than others. He explains the difference between hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, which relies on male hormones like testosterone to grow and can often be treated by lowering hormone levels, and androgen-insensitive prostate cancer, a more aggressive form that continues to grow even without these hormones, making it much harder to treat. Okpattah also explores current treatment options, from surgery and radiation to newer drug therapies designed to target cancer cells more precisely. He highlights the importance of early detection, particularly for men with a family history of cancer or those in high-risk groups. Both Okpattah and Rosenberg were Graduate Center Science Communication Fellows. Listen in to learn more.…

CUNY Graduate Center

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How New Yorkers View Immigrants in the City 38:36

πριν 11 weeks38:36

38:36

This episode of The Thought Project features a compelling discussion with Professors Philip Kasinitz and Liza Steele, sociologists at the CUNY Graduate Center, on immigration, public opinion, and the evolving challenges of migration policy. The conversation explores their analysis of a YouGov survey, which reveals a surprisingly positive outlook among New Yorkers toward immigration, even amid a historic influx of asylum seekers. Kasinitz and Steele unpack the nuanced dynamics shaping attitudes across the city, delve into the broader implications of federal immigration policies, and highlight the resilience of pro-immigrant sentiment in a time of charged political rhetoric. This episode examines how immigration continues to shape New York’s identity and why thoughtful, humane policies are vital to the city's social and economic fabric. Listen in for insights on the intersection of sociology, policy, and public perception in today’s complex immigration landscape.…

CUNY Graduate Center

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Making Room for Latin American Studies and Scholars at CUNY 46:53

πριν 19 weeks46:53

46:53

In this episode of The Thought Project, host Tanya Domi welcomes Mila Burns, associate director of the Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and a professor of History at the Graduate Center and Lehman College. A proud Graduate Center alumna, she shares insights from her interdisciplinary career spanning journalism, anthropology, and history. She discusses her forthcoming book, "Dictatorship Across Borders: Brazil, Chile, and the South American Cold War", which explores Brazil’s covert role in Chile’s 1973 coup. The conversation also delves into contemporary issues, including Latin American politics, immigration challenges, and climate change. Burns highlights the Graduate Center’s distinction as a Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) leader and its strides in empowering Latino scholars. From fostering groundbreaking student research to launching initiatives like the Reportage Fellowship and the Latino Data Project, her work embodies a commitment to amplifying diverse voices. Listen in to learn more.…

CUNY Graduate Center

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How Economic Anxiety Shaped the Election With Charles Tien 41:10

πριν 21 weeks41:10

41:10

In this episode of The Thought Project, Tanya Domi speaks with Charles Tien, a professor of Political Science at the CUNY Graduate Center and Hunter, about the implications of the 2024 Presidential elections. They discuss Donald Trump’s historic re-election, shifting voter demographics, and parallels with the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan. Drawing comparisons to Reagan’s landslide victory and its impact on U.S. politics, Tien explains how economic anxiety and inflation influenced voting patterns. The conversation also delves into the challenges ahead for governance in a closely divided Congress and the potential impact of Trump’s return to the presidency. The conversation offers a nuanced look at the new political landscape and the future of American democracy. Listen in to learn more.…

CUNY Graduate Center

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BRES at the CUNY Graduate Center 24:09

πριν 22 weeks24:09

24:09

In this episode of The Thought Project podcast, Tanya Domi talks with Professor Van Tran about the launch of the CUNY Graduate Center’s Ph.D. and master’s programs in Black, Race, and Ethnic Studies (BRES), the first of their kind in the New York metropolitan area. Tran, a sociologist who led the development of the programs with Professor Martin Ruck, discusses the mission to expand multidisciplinary research on race and ethnicity and train the next generation of scholars and practitioners. Funded in part by the Mellon Foundation, the programs build on CUNY’s longstanding commitment to ethnic studies. Tran shares how the programs will prepare students to address complex social issues, with coursework that integrates sociology, history, and various humanities and social sciences disciplines. The BRES programs, Tran says, will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of race and ethnicity, equipping them to make significant contributions in academia and in fields such as public health, medicine, education, law, and social work. Listen in to learn more.…

CUNY Graduate Center

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Celestial Bodies: What Trees Reveal About Outer Space 17:24

πριν 25 weeks17:24

17:24

In this episode of The Thought Project, we bring you a Celestial Bodies podcast recorded by science journalist Rebecca Rand and astronomer Mark Popinchalk in which they explore the surprising connection between trees and cosmic events. Popinchalk, a CUNY Graduate Center alumnus (Ph.D. ’23, Physics) and postdoctoral fellow at the American Museum of Natural History, discusses how trees serve as natural records of space activity, storing traces of radiocarbon from solar flares and supernovae. By examining tree rings, scientists can trace these cosmic events back through history, linking radiocarbon spikes to phenomena like the northern lights observed centuries ago. Through their conversation, Rand, a graduate of the CUNY Newmark J-School, and Popinchalk shed light on how trees help us understand outer space and the and the potential risks posed by high-radiation events. Listen in to learn more.…

CUNY Graduate Center

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What the New Title IX Means for Gender-Based Violence Prevention 30:30

πριν 26 weeks30:30

30:30

In this Domestic Violence Awareness Month episode of The Thought Project, Tanya Domi speaks with Jessica Morak, executive director of institutional equity and chief diversity officer at the CUNY Graduate Center, about her work to implement new Title IX policies, which prohibit sex-based discrimination in schools. The updated policy includes new protections for pregnant individuals and expanded employee obligations for support and information sharing. The conversation touches on broader issues of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, sex trafficking, and digital abuse. Morak shares insights from her past roles as a prosecutor for the Bronx district attorney’s office and her work at Sanctuary for Families, focusing on combating gender-based violence and providing holistic support for student survivors. The discussion highlights ongoing challenges and systemic issues, emphasizing the importance of addressing gender-based violence through education, legal frameworks, and comprehensive policies. Listen in to learn more.…

CUNY Graduate Center

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Fighting Toxic Algal Bloooms to Protect Our Oceans 22:04

πριν 26 weeks22:04

22:04

In this episode of The Thought Project podcast, Georgie Humphries, a Ph.D. candidate in Earth and Environmental Sciences at the CUNY Graduate Center, talks to science journalist and CUNY Newmark J-School graduate Saugat Bolakhe about her work to fend off toxic algal blooms. Humphries delves into the fascinating yet alarming world of phytoplankton – microscopic algae that produce up to 80% of the Earth’s oxygen and serve as the foundation of the marine food web. Certain species of phytoplankton, however, are behind harmful algal blooms. These blooms, which are being fueled by climate change and nutrient pollution, threaten marine life and human health, with consequences ranging from manatee deaths to water supply contamination. Humphries describes how she and fellow scientists at the Graduate Center’s Advanced Science Research Center are monitoring and addressing this growing scourge as they seek to preserve our oceans and protect public health. Listen in to learn more about how Graduate Center scientists are safeguarding our planet and its people.…

CUNY Graduate Center

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The State of Reproductive Health Care with Brittany Brathwaite and Frances Howell 1:02:02

πριν 27 weeks1:02:02

1:02:02

In this episode of The Thought Project podcast, we discuss the current state of abortion and reproductive health care in in post-Dobbs America with Brittany Brathwaite and Frances Howell, Ph.D. students who are studying critical social psychology at the CUNY Graduate Center. Howell, whose research focuses on assisted reproductive technologies and racial disparities, and Brahwaite, a reproductive justice activist and co-founder and CEO of Kimbritive, discuss the far-reaching effects of abortion bans, particularly for Black women and marginalized communities. They emphasize the intersection of reproductive justice, race, and systemic inequalities, with Howell linking today's challenges to a long history of medical racism. Brathwaite stresses the importance of grassroots organizing and community advocacy, urging a broad definition of reproductive justice that includes bodily autonomy for all. Both scholars highlight the limitations of focusing solely on federal actions and argue that meaningful change often comes about by activists advocating at the local and state levels. They call for urgent, intersectional action to protect reproductive freedoms.…

CUNY Graduate Center

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David Bloomfield on NYC Schools Amid the City Hall Shakeup 24:50

πριν 28 weeks24:50