Month: January 2025

Pranav Jani: The Continuing Impact of the 1857 British India Rebellion

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Pranav Jani, Associate Professor of English, researches the literatures, cultures and history of current and formerly colonized people. His current book project examines the 1857 Rebellion in British India, and he describes the historical context of the rebellion, its depiction as the Sepoy Mutiny by imperialist narratives, and provides an in-depth analysis of the underlying causes. He highlights the rebellion’s historiographical journey, notably its impact on Indian nationalism, and how it evolved in Indian consciousness from a mutiny to the First War of Independence. Jani discusses with host David Staley the rebellion’s influence on current ideological frameworks.

Pranav Jani – PodcastDownload

Drink in the Cosmos with Paul Martini

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Dr. Paul Martini, a Professor of Astronomy and Physics at The Ohio State University, joins host David Staley to discuss the expanding universe, dark energy, and the role of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) project in advancing research. Dr. Martini also talks about the importance of custom-built instruments in astronomy, the use of machine learning in data analysis, and his personal journey to being an astronomer. To hear more about his research on cosmic acceleration, you can catch Dr. Martini at the Science Sundays series on February 2nd or watch a recording of the event here.

Paul Martini podcastDownload

Ellen Mosley-Thompson and Lonnie Thompson: What Can We Do about Climate Change (Part Two)

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Side by side image of Profs Ellen and Lonnie Thompson

Paleoclimatologists Ellen Mosley-Thompson and Lonnie Thompson continue their discussion with host David Staley on the imminent challenges and possible solutions to climate change. They emphasize the importance of collective action, innovative technologies, and political will in combating environmental issues. They highlight practical actions individuals can take, such as voting and reducing energy consumption, and discuss the role of global cooperation and investment in science. Drawing from their extensive fieldwork, they share personal experiences and stress the need for a multidisciplinary approach, integrating sciences and liberal arts, to address the multifaceted impacts of climate change. Despite short-term pessimism due to current inaction, they express long-term optimism that humanity will rise to meet the crisis.

Listen to Part One

VoE Thompsons Part 2Download

Ellen Mosley-Thompson and Lonnie Thompson: Ancient Ice Cores Tell Us the Future (Part One)

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Renowned paleoclimatologists Ellen Mosley-Thompson, Distinguished University Professor of Geography, and Lonnie Thompson, Distinguished University Professor in Earth Sciences, discuss their groundbreaking work in studying ice cores to understand Earth’s climate history. Join host David Staley to learn how they extract climate data from ice cores, the logistical challenges of their fieldwork, and the importance of preserving ice core samples for future research. The Thompsons emphasize the significance of addressing climate change, the technological advancements in their field, and the need for greater investment in science and renewable energy. They also discuss the potential consequences of rising global temperatures and the crucial role of young people and international collaboration in combating climate change.

Listen to Part Two

VoE Thompsons Part 1Download