I am a Storm Chaser: Jana Houser and the Study of Tornados

Dr. Jana Houser, an Associate Professor of Geography and Director of Undergraduate Studies, discusses her pioneering research on tornadoes through the use of mobile radar technology. She describes to host David Staley the challenges of predicting tornadoes due to their chaotic and localized nature. She’s been a storm chaser and worked on the movie Twisters. She credits her passion for tornadoes with growing up in Kansas. Dr Houser will present at the November 3, 2024 Science Sundays.

Not Your Grandmother’s Halloween: Merrill Kaplan on Holiday Traditions

What scares you?

Merrill Kaplan, Associate Professor of English and Director of Scandinavian Studies, takes time out of the spooky season to discuss the cultural and historical significance of Halloween, comparing its traditions to those of other holidays. She describes to host David Staley the evolution of folklore studies, which emphasizes the importance of understanding current cultural meanings and individual agency. They look at her term “paganesque,” debunk common misinterpretations, and highlight the appearance of folklore in modern contexts, including social media. Prof Kaplan sees social media platforms like Twitter as having transformed folklore, becoming ways to share stories, jokes, rumors, and other forms of folklore.

So, a ghost, a skeleton and a chicken walk into a bar…

Simone Drake: Opening Up History That’s Been Shutdown

Simone Drake, Hazel C. Youngberg Trustees Distinguished Professor at The Ohio State University College of the Arts and Sciences, joins David Staley to discuss Shutdown, a documentary she executive produced. The documentary explores the 1971 racial tensions at Linden-McKinley High School in Columbus, Ohio. These tensions arose from rapid demographic shifts and culminated in police violence against students following a series of events advocating for black studies and representation. Prof Drake interviewed many of the participants to gain understanding of their viewpoints and how the event had “a domino effect that led all the way to the Supreme Court.”

Exploring Shakespeare’s London with Christopher Highley

Christopher Highley, Professor of English and Director of the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies at The Ohio State University, discusses the context and findings of his most recent book, Blackfriars in Early Modern London. He highlights his extensive knowledge of the historical and cultural landscape of London during the time of Shakespeare. He describes the opportunities The Ohio State University has for students who want to learn more about this subject both at the university and overseas. Highley also tells host David Staley about the exciting initiatives through the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, which range from symposiums and research talks to fencing and falconry exhibitions.

Elizabeth Renker: Discovering and Recovering Sarah Piatt

Elizabeth Renker, Professor of English at The Ohio State University, discusses her work in “Discovering Sarah Piatt“, a podcast and recovery project aimed at reclaiming the legacy of 19th-century poet Sarah Piatt, who was once a famous poet but faded into obscurity due to shifts in literary canon. Renker faced challenges in recovering Piatt’s work, such as incomplete archives and lost manuscripts but persevered to make her poems accessible through a digital humanities project. Renker gives glimpses of her forthcoming biography of Piatt, her views on the evolving nature of English departments, and her award-winning teaching methodologies.