Discovering Academia

#063 - Vikram Amar: Electoral College v. Popular Vote Debate & Key Supreme Court Rulings

Today we talk with Vikram Amar, Distinguished Professor of Law at the UC Davis School of Law. His research focuses on constitutional law, federal courts and civil procedure. In this episode we explore the Electoral College, from its historical context to modern challenges and discuss his work on establishing a national popular vote. We then turn to the Supreme Court, where Professor Amar discusses its politicization, contemporary issues such as privacy and AI, and the legality of Roe v. Wade. He also reflects on potential reforms, including term limits for justices to promote stability and accountability.
For more information about this episode, see our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/vikram-amar
 
 
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.

#062 - Chris Hare: Polling Data, Political Polarization & the 2024 Election

Today, we talk with Christopher Hare, Professor of Political Science at UC Davis, whose research uses statistical modeling to understand voting behavior, public opinion, and political campaigns.
In this episode, we cover everything from the challenges in political polling to how the decline in diverse social networks is deepening political divides in the U.S. Professor Hare also shares insights on Senate voting patterns, tracing the roots of political division back to the mid-1960s.
We conclude with Professor Hare's thoughts on the power of statistical methods for political science and the importance of statistical literacy for anyone looking to understand electoral dynamics.
 
For more information about this episode, see our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/chris-hare
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.

#061 - Carlton Larson: Trump, Treason & The Second Amendment

Today we talk with Carlton Larson, a Professor of Law at UC Davis. His work focuses on American legal history and constitutional law, with a focus on treason. In this episode we talk about a range of topics in constitutional law, from the state’s role in naming your children to the historical evolution of the Second Amendment. Professor Larson details the strict constitutional definition of treason and the challenges of applying treason to events like the January 6th Capitol Riot.
See more information about the episode here: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/carlton-larson
 
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.

#060 - Jodie Sun: From Mao to Xi - The Evolution of China’s Influence in Africa

Today we talk with Jodie Sun, Senior Lecturer in Modern African and Global History at Fudan University and Visiting Scholar at Stanford University’s Center for African Studies. Her research focuses on international relations history between Africa and China, particularly Kenya and Zambia during the Cold-War era. In this episode we discuss the origin of China’s relationship with Africa and how that dynamic has evolved over the decades. We also compare the United States’ approach to foreign aid in Africa and examine the “new scramble” for political influence and resource access in Africa.
 
See more information and resources on our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/jodie-sun
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.

#059 - Anita Oberholster: How Wildfires & Smoke Taint Impact Wine

Today we talk with Anita Oberholster, cooperative extension specialist in enology at UC Davis. Her research focuses on viticulture practices, environmental factors, and how the process of wine making impacts wine composition and quality. In this episode, we start off with a brief overview of wine and the industry before diving deeper into how smoke and wildfires impact grapes. We explore all things smoke taint – what it is (both at a molecular and sensory level), how it gets into wine, and what can be done to prevent it.
 
For more information, see our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/anita-oberholster
 
 
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.

#058 - Su Zhucheng: Chinese Tea Culture & Science

Today we talk with Professor Su Zhucheng, Director of the Tea Science department at Zhejiang Agriculture & Forest University. His work explores the intersection of tea science and culture, looking into both social and quality outcomes of different tea processing methods in the broader tea industry economy. In this episode, we talk broadly about the importance of tea in China, from its history dating back over 2000 years to the younger generation’s relationship with tea. We also talk about the various distinctions of tea, with 6 different types of tea and the 5 factors that are used to assess tea. Lastly, we touch on the health benefits of tea; from its antioxidant properties and energy to how the college is working with industries to use tea derivatives in consumer products such as skincare and packaged food.
 
See more episode notes, resources & photos on our website: Su Zhucheng — Discovering Academia
 
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.

#057 - 彭骞: Rural Chinese Revitalization & Our Experience in Guilin

彭骞 (Peng Qian) is a Professor at Guilin University of Tourism and a member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), specializing in rural revitalization. He has been instrumental in the re-development of Daoshan Village, a small farming community south of Guilin. His work focuses on integrating ecological sustainability and cultural preservation with economic growth. Peng has helped boost local tourism and agriculture through initiatives like the Longgen Cultural Festival, which promotes the village’s rich history and high-quality produce. He also collaborates with Guilin University to support local talent and infrastructure development. 
 
See more details and photos from our trip on our website: 彭骞 (Peng Qian) — Discovering Academia
 
 
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.

#056 - Barnabas Seyler: Benefits of Urban Green Spaces & Ethnobotany in China

Today we talk with Barnabas Seyler, a researcher of public horticulture and ethnobotany in Chengdu, China. His research focuses on the positive effects of urban green spaces on human health as well as identifying and understanding plants through local cultures. In this episode we discuss urban greening and how environmental education improves urban communities’ relationships with nature. Barnabas highlights the importance of ethnobotany, and how researching plants with native communities can shed light on new applications from food to medicine.
 
For more information, see our website 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.

#055 - Jesse Gates: Linguistics, Cultural Understandings & the Stau Language

Today we talk with Jesse Gates, Post-Doc at Nankai University studying Linguistics. His work focuses on Trans-Himalayan languages, particularly Horpa languages such as Stau, looking at both static and evolutionary linguistics. In this episode we explore the complexities of linguistics, from phonetics & morphology to anthropological studies of social structures & language use. Jesse Gates underscores how a deep understanding of linguistics can serve as a systematic framework for language acquisition broadly and enhance one’s appreciation for the interconnectedness of language & society.
 
For more information, see our website 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.

#054 - Herman Cappelen: Philosophy, Conceptual Engineering & Artificial Intelligence

Today we talk with Herman Cappelen, Professor and Chair of Philosophy at the University of Hong Kong. His research explores a variety of topics centered around conceptual engineering and the interplay of linguistics, philosophy and societal perceptions. In this episode we talk about language, linguistic norms, translation, global language unity and the essence of intention in communication. We also touch on the idea of original thought and discuss where artificial intelligence plays into our understanding of cognition and ethics.
For more information, see our website 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.