Discovering Academia

50 Episode Update & The Future of Discovering Academia

In today's episode, Brent and Keller reflect on the first 50 episodes of Discovering Academia. After podcasting for one year now, they highlight the mission of Discovering Academia, their travel across Europe & Asia during 2023, and what the future holds for the podcast. If you like the work they are doing, please reach out via podcast@discoveringacademia.com with any suggestions, comments, or to potentially join the team in a social media/production assistant role. 

#050 - Ben Leong: Digital Communication & How the Internet Works

Today we talk with Ben Leong, an Associate Professor of Computing at the National University of Singapore as well as the Director for the Centre for Computing for Social Good and Philanthropy and the AI Centre for Educational Technologies. His research looks into computer communication networks and protocols, which are the foundation for the world wide web. In the episode we discuss the basics of various communication protocols like IP and TCP and the understated role these protocols play in data security and efficiency. As we wrap up, Professor Leong shares his views on AI and how new technologies can be leveraged to create more personalized education for individual students and encourages students to focus on generating skills that will power the future economy. We hope you enjoy.
 
See website for more episode details here.
 
 
This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only.  Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.
 

#049 - Harold Soh: Trustworthy Collaborative Robots for Human Interaction

Today we talk to Harold Soh, an Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Collaborative Learning and Adaptive Robots (CLeAR) group at the National University of Singapore. His research looks at decision making, human-robot interactions, and trustworthiness in artificial intelligence. In this episode we talk about the current state of robotics, the difficulties of aligning robot capabilities with human trust and the challenges of encoding behavioral values in robots given our ever-changing social norms.
 
See more about this episode on our website.
 
 
This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only.  Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.
 

#048 - Rajasekhar Balasubramanian: Air Pollution, Environmental Toxins & Sustainable Energy Sources

Today we talk with Rajasekhar Balasubramanian, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the National University of Singapore. His research looks at environmental sustainability, air quality & pollution control, and waste-to-energy conversion methods. In this episode we talk about the often-overlooked impacts of indoor air pollution, the barriers to a green economy, and the potential use of biomass-waste for energy generation.
 
 
This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only.  Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.

#047 - Elaine Ho: Aging Populations, Migrant Identity, & the Chinese Diaspora in Singapore

Today we talk with Elaine Ho, Professor in the Department of Geography and Senior Research Fellow for the Asia Research Institute at the National University of Singapore. Her work focuses on the Chinese diaspora in Singapore, transnational migrant identity, and aging in the Asia-Pacific. In this episode we talk about the evolution of Singaporean identity, longevity in aging societies, and the development of support networks for the migrants who often care for the elderly.
 
 
This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only.  Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.

#046 - Andrew Delios: China, Corporate Strategy & the Management of Multinational Firms

Today we talk with Andrew Delios, Vice Dean and Professor in the Department of Strategy and Policy at the National University of Singapore Business School. His work focuses on strategies around foreign direct investment and multinational corporations. In this episode we talk about the role of multinational corporations in the economic growth of developing countries, and how firms weigh cultural and political uncertainty in their decision to globalize. Lastly, Delios touches on corporate responsibility in the face of climate change and China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
 
 
This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only.  Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.
 

#045 - Andrew Bailey: Resistance Money, Bitcoin & Environmental Impact of Cryptocurrency Mining

Today we talk with Andrew Bailey, associate professor of philosophy at Yale college in the National University of Singapore. His work focuses on the intersection of politics, philosophy and economics. In this episode we talk broadly about the nature of money and its role in society before diving deep into bitcoin. We discuss a wide range of topics around bitcoin, from its role in providing stable currency in unstable nations to empowering individual autonomy in financial transactions. Professor Bailey encourages students to consider their relationship with money and go through life with an understanding of how money works and influences everyday activity.
 
 
This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only.  Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.
 

#044 - Vladan Babovic: Water Management & Hydroinformatics in Singapore

Today we talk with Vladan Babovic, a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the National University of Singapore. His work focuses on hydroinformatics, the development of water management through information technology and tools like AI and machine learning. In this episode we discuss the unique challenges that Singapore faces in regard to water risk and how the small nation state is a pioneering model for water issues globally. Babovic explains Singapore's flooding management systems, the concept of blue-green infrastructure, and the impacts of climate change on water concerns, stressing the urgency for inventive solutions amidst evolving environmental conditions.
 
 
This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only.  Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.
 

#043 - Danwei Huang: Coral Reefs, Bleaching & Marine Conservation

Today, we talk with Danwei Huang, an associate professor in the Department of Biological Science at the National University of Singapore. His work focuses on the ecology, evolution, and conservation of coral reefs, aiming to uncover insights into their overall health.
In this episode, we explore the human-induced factors affecting reefs, including coastal urbanization and reclamation projects, and their complex impact on coral reefs. Despite the challenges posed by rising sea surface temperatures and massive bleaching events, Danwei shares an optimistic view on the resilience of coral reefs.
Emphasizing the critical role of collaborative data collection and the power of local initiatives in addressing a global issue, Danwei underscores the importance of community engagement in coral reef conservation.
 
 
This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only.  Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.

#042 - David Teh: Contemporary, Modern, & Southeast Asian Art

Today we talk with David Teh, writer, curator and assistant professor in the English department at the National University of Singapore. His work spans a variety of topics within the art world, from modern and contemporary Asian art, critical art theory and history, to curatorship and exhibitions. In this episode we discuss the balancing act between the art world and academia, the difficulties of attaching language to art, and seek to better define “contemporary art”. Additionally, we talk about the influence of government and wealth on art markets and exposure and the importance of institutions in art dissemination. In a world dominated by short format video clips, Professor Teh encourages the audience to take more pride in their visual literacy and understand the traps and tricks that might be influencing us.
 
This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only.  Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.