Politics Under the Microscope: Recent Episodes
Joanna, Ellie, Naira, and Nina
Politics Under the Microscope captures the thought process of policy makers as they respond to complex problems and to discuss the implications those policies will have for the scientific community and broader society. Each episode starts by briefing the listener on a societal problem using an anecdote, then will reframe the problem with a science policy-related question, and finally engage the listener by integrating audio from multiple expert interviews. Taken together, these will shape the role science can and may play in developing policies in response to political and social issues. Our unique approach lies in our ability to layer scientific and political facts in a single narrative, with an emphasis on capturing the principles of scientific and creative problem solving to address a diverse range of topics that caters to many interests. For more information and for the episode transcripts, visit us at www.politicsunderthemicroscope.com.
To wrap up our fast fashion series where we have explored the multifaceted fast fashion crisis, we now want to explore possible solutions. Interestingly, Europe is farther ahead of the rest of the world in combating the fast fashion crisis. We are joined by Dr. Kirsi Niinimaki, PhD, who specializes in designing fashion sustainability policy with European policymakers, to discuss what steps Europe has taken to make the fashion industry more sustainable.Sound effects:Shirt Clothing Movement by leonelmail052174 trash chute.WAV by pixabaydemolition2 by schafferdavidMystical Wind Chimes Transition FX by djlprojectssuccess 1 by Leszek SzaryGlitch Sound FX Pack - 04 by StudioKolomnaMusic:Waterfall by RomanSenykRelaxed Vlog (Night Street) by Ashot-Danielyan-ComposerAbstract Fashion Pop by QubeSoundsIntro: Apple Loops made with Garageband by Joanna
Garment workers are one of the most notorious victims of fast fashion. This vulnerable population faces poor and unsafe working conditions, but who and what can protect them? Joined by fashion lawyer, Whitney McGuire, Esq, we dive into the recent policy advances and proposals intended to improve garment worker conditions and hold fashion companies accountable for the treatment of the workers making their clothes. Here, we unpack California's Garment Worker Protection Act, the federal FABRIC Act, and the New York Fashion Act.Music credits (Pixabay):Relaxed Vlog (Night Street) by Ashot-Danielyan-Composer, Abstract Fashion Pop by QubeSounds, Sadness by Ashot-Danielyan-ComposerSound effects (Pixabay):Pixabay: 028693 sewing machine, Crowd Talking by ken788, Crack and Crunch by Aurelon, Stones Falling by iwanPlays, Cash Register by MAXOU-YTIn-house (Joanna): pen on paper, Intro & Outro - Apple Loops made with GaragebandSee Resources at https://www.politicsunderthemicroscope.com/ for References.
In our second episode of our fast fashion series, "The Unfashionable Truth", we focus on key players in the fast fashion crisis: the fashion industry and investors. To better understand the caveats of expecting industry and investors to make the industry more sustainable, we are joined by former COO of Timberland and sustainable investing expert, Ken Pucker.References:1. https://www.ecowatch.com/fast-fashion-riverblue-2318389169.html 2. https://oliveandcrate.com/blogs/olive-crate-journal/three-ways-in-which-cotton-harms-the-environment 3. https://earth.org/statistics-about-fast-fashion-waste/#:~:text=The%20Number%20of%20Times%20a,35%25%20in%20just%2015%20years. 4. https://fourweekmba.com/ultra-fast-fashion/ 5. https://michiganross.umich.edu/news/how-sustainability-index-can-keep-exxon-drop-tesla-and-3-ways-fix-esg-ratings-meet-investors
Music credits:Intro and Outro made with GarageBand (Joanna Yeung)Music from Pixabay: Awaken by OYStudio; Relaxed Vlog (Night Street) by Ashot-Danielyan-Composer; Abstract Fashion Pop by QubeSounds;Sadness by Ashot-Danielyan-Composer; Error by PHANTASTICBEATS; Waterfall by RomanSenykMusicBackground Sound effects: Joanna moving her clothes hangers, Joanna crushing a Snapple bottle, Joanna turning on bathtub faucet and pouring water out of foot tub
To kick off our fast fashion series, we first explore fast fashion at the macromolecular level. The rise of fast fashion is coupled by a rise in polyester, rayon, and nylon, or "synthetic fibers". This has largely replaced the use of natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and silk. We delve into the differences with Drs. Imran Islam, PhD, and Preeti Arya, PhD, from the New York Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).
Each host brings a unique hot take to the table, scientific or otherwise.
Music credits: Jazzy Abstract Beat by Coma-media
Para encerrar nossa série sobre mudanças climáticas, destacaremos uma comunidade que sente demais os efeitos das mudanças climáticas, mas que muitas vezes é deixada de fora da conversa sobre mudanças climáticas: os povos indígenas. Falamos com João Victor, um jovem defensor e membro da comunidade indígena Pankararu do Brasil. Embora João seja atualmente um estudante de doutorado em Farmácia, ele continua sendo um feroz defensor de sua comunidade, trabalhando para mobilizar outras pessoas para combater as mudanças climáticas e melhorar os efeitos que esse problema global tem, especialmente nas comunidades indígenas. O trabalho de João é feito através e com os Guardiões da Floresta e a Aliança Global de Comunidades Territoriais.
Créditos da música: Jazzy Abstract Beat por Coma-media, Lugar Escondido (Versão Estendida) por madirfan, PUTM Intro e Outro de Joanna Yeung, feito usando GarageBand com Apple Loops
A imagem da capa é de Vytautas Serys, licença Creative Commons.
To wrap up our climate change series, we will spotlight a community that feels much of climate change's effects, yet is often left out of the climate change conversation: indigenous peoples. We sit down with João Victor, a young climate change advocate and member of the Pankararu indigenous community of Brazil. Though João is currently a PhD student in Pharmacy, he remains a fierce advocate for his community, working to rally others to combat climate change and ameliorate the effects this global issue takes especially on indigenous communities. João's work is done through and with the Guardians of the Forest and the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities.
Music credits: Jazzy Abstract Beat by Coma-media, Hidden Place (Extended Version) by madirfan, PUTM Intro and Outro by Joanna Yeung, made using GarageBand with Apple Loops
Cover image is by Vytautas Serys, Creative Commons license.
In this episode, we are joined by March for Science members Dr. Ingrid Paredes, PhD, and Gianna White, BS. March for Science is a non-profit organization in NYC comprised primarily of scientists dedicated to combating climate change through policy. We discuss the inception of March for Science and its current mission.
In the second of two episodes, we explore the lived experiences and grassroots work of the Cherokee Concerned Citizens, an organization dedicated to protecting the health and well-being of their fenceline community. Our guests, Barbara and Jennifer, discuss what it's like living next to production plants for companies like Chevron, VT Halter, First Chemical, and Mississippi Phosphates, and what they're doing to fight environmental injustice.
Music credits:
- Jazzy Abstract Beat by Coma-media
- Hidden Place (Extended Version) by madirfan
- PUTM Intro and Outro - made in GarageBand with Apple Loops
Cover art credit to United States National Archive, Picryl (Creative Commons license)
In the first of two episodes, we explore the lived experiences and grassroots work of the Cherokee Concerned Citizens, an organization dedicated to protecting the health and well-being of their fenceline community. Our guests, Barbara and Jennifer, discuss what it's like living next to production plants for companies like Chevron, VT Halter, First Chemical, and Mississippi Phosphates, and what they're doing to fight environmental injustice.
Music credits:
- Jazzy Abstract Beat by Coma-media
- Hidden Place (Extended Version) by madirfan
- PUTM Intro and Outro - made in GarageBand with Apple Loops
Cover art credit to United States National Archive, Picryl (Creative Commons license)
As the introductory episode in our new Un(earth)ing Climate Advocacy series, we spotlight the efforts of Amanda Sachs who works with the Environmental Advocates of New York, the leading New York non-profit fighting for a safe climate, clean water and healthier communities for all. To avert the worst effects of climate change, Environmental Advocates NY is at the forefront of taking action to fight climate change and advocating for policies that transition our economy off of fossil fuels.
Music credits:
- Jazzy Abstract Beat by Coma-media
- Hidden Place (Extended Version) by madirfan
- PUTM Intro and Outro - made in GarageBand with Apple Loops
To recap our mental health series, we are focusing on the perspectives of two graduate students that have recently graduated: Caitlin Gilbert, PhD, and Farid Aboharb, PhD. Caitlin and Farid tell us about the mental health struggles they have faced on the way to achieving that hard-won degree.
Recapping our interview with Dr. Hassan Muhammad, we discuss whether the mental health struggles common in graduate school are due to systemic factors or the inherently difficult nature of science and research.
As the third installment in our mental health series, we interview Hassan Muhammad, PhD, a recent PhD graduate from Weill Cornell. Together, we explore the systemic and institutional factors that may contribute to the graduate student mental health crisis.
In this shortened episode, we highlight key parts of our interview with clinical psychologist, Dr. Judith Cukor, PhD. The PUTM hosts also discuss their own mental health struggles and what they do to manage the toll graduate school can often take.
Tune into the second episode in our three-part series on the graduate student mental health crisis. In this installment, we chat with Dr. Judith Cukor, PhD, a clinical psychologist at Weill Cornell Medical College. Here, we delve into what graduate students can do to manage their own mental health struggles.
Introducing our newest feature: Hot Second Hot Takes! Each host brings a unique hot take to the table, scientific or otherwise.
In a shorter episode, we recap our first installment of our three-part mental health series. We discuss our personal experiences with mental health as graduate students (both past and present) and our thoughts on our interview with Dr. Nathan Vanderford, one of the lead authors on the groundbreaking Nature Biotechnology 2018 paper entitled "Evidence of a mental health crisis in graduate education".
Music credits (Pixabay):
- "Freeze My Soul" - Wataboi
- "What U Thinkin" - Wataboi
Sound effects: Ryan Carvalho and Sound FX-1GR, YouTube
As the first installment of our three-part mental health episode series, this introductory episode features our exclusive interview with Dr. Nathan Vanderford, one lead authors on the ground-breaking Nature Biotechnology published in 2018, "Evidence for a mental health crisis in graduate education". Here, we discuss Dr. Vanderford's journey through STEM and his thoughts on the crisis.
Music credits (Pixabay):
- "Freeze My Soul" - Wataboi
- "What U Thinkin" - Wataboi
Introducing our newest feature: Hot Second Hot Takes! Each host brings a unique hot take to the table, scientific or otherwise.
The quest to vaccinate the U.S. population continues. While supply of the COVID-19 vaccines remains high, the vaccination rate has plateaued. In this three-part series, we explore vaccine history, the causes of vaccine hesitancy, and bust the myths driving much of the hesitancy. In Part III, we explore the reasons why people are hesitant and use evidence to bust common myths that contribute to the hesitancy. We end with a Q&A session that discusses common misconceptions about the COVID vaccines.
The quest to vaccinate the U.S. population continues. While supply of the COVID-19 vaccines remains high, the vaccination rate has plateaued. In this three-part series, we explore vaccine history, the causes of vaccine hesitancy, and bust the myths driving much of the hesitancy. In Part II, we unpack the reasons for vaccine hesitancy shared by specific communities.
The quest to vaccinate the U.S. population continues. While supply of the COVID-19 vaccines remains high, the vaccination rate has plateaued. In this three-part series, we explore vaccine history, the causes of vaccine hesitancy, and bust the myths driving much of the hesitancy. In Part I, we dive into the history of immunizations and frame the current problem of vaccine hesitancy, one of the top threats to global public health (WHO).
We have previously discussed racially-equitable access to the COVID vaccines with Reverend Diann Holt in Episode 3. However, one population that often gets overlooked is the deaf and hard of hearing population. We are joined by FEMA Regional Disability Integration Specialist Philip "PJ" Mattiachi, who is deaf and communicates in American Sign Language. PJ is joined by Vivian Ayalón Rivera, a civil rights attorney with FEMA dedicated to ensuring equitable access to the COVID vaccines for the deaf and hard of hearing. They discuss the barriers that the deaf and hard of hearing community specifically face in their journey to be vaccinated against COVID.
Music credits (Pixabay):
- Freeze my soul - DreamHeaven
- What u Thinkin - Wataboi
Public health data models are used to predict and explain trends in public health outcomes, such as is the case with pandemics, food insecurity, maternal mortality, and hospital resources. These models inform policy-making and public health decisions at the institutional, communal, and federal level, with the potential to impact the lives of millions of people. How are these models built? How do modelers interact with policymakers? Why is it important for modelers to engage with the community they are modeling? These questions are explored with Dr. Ayaz Hyder, PhD, from Ohio State University and Dr. Ashleigh Tuite, PhD/MPH from the University of Toronto, both of whom are mathematical modelers.
Music credits (Pixabay):
- Cali - Wataboi
- What u Thinking - Wataboi
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- Freeze my Soul - DreamHeaven
The vaccines have been hailed as the answer to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it's not the only one. The deaths of many Americans and the impact on the economy has been the focus of many legislative initiatives, especially the CARES Act. We learn more about the ways in which a scientific perspective and background can play a role in legislation with Representatives Seth Moulton (MA-6) and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6). Both armed with backgrounds in STEM, they give us insights into their journey to the Hill and their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
We want to hear your take on our episode. Give us your feedback here: https://forms.gle/Lb63QfvoHtdoCqcm8
Music credits (Pixabay):
True Love - DreamHeaven
What u Thinking - Wataboi
Freeze my Soul - DreamHeaven
COVID-19 has killed more than 480,000 Americans. A vaccine may prevent the death toll from rising and may mark the end of the deadly pandemic that has changed the lives of millions of people. However, the vaccine's safety and effectiveness have been called into question. How was a vaccine developed in a year? What does it mean that the vaccines have been approved for emergency use only? What are the differences between the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine? We tackle these questions and more with Dr. Adolfo García-Sastre, PhD, a member of the COVID-19 Clinical Advisory Task Force and appointed personally by New York Governor Cuomo.
We want to hear your take on our episode. Give us your feedback here: https://forms.gle/Lb63QfvoHtdoCqcm8
Music credits (Pixabay):
True Love - DreamHeaven
What u Thinking - Wataboi
Freeze my Soul - DreamHeaven
The second part to the COVID-19 Vaccine series focuses on the vaccine's distribution. What goes into determining the distribution of the vaccine? What players are involved? Why is the vaccine's rollout so slow? Why are African Americans more hesitant to receive the vaccine than other demographic groups? Reverend Diann Holt, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Durham's Maternal Stress Free Zone was personally appointed by New York Governor Cuomo as a member of the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force and addresses all of these questions. She seeks to build trust in the vaccine within her community.
We want to hear your take on our episode. Give us your feedback here: https://forms.gle/Lb63QfvoHtdoCqcm8
Music credits (Pixabay):
True Love - DreamHeaven
What u Thinking - Wataboi
Freeze my Soul - DreamHeaven
We are joined by Dr. Amrita Banerjee, Ph.D., the Vice Chair and Program Coordinator of the Science Diplomacy Committee at the National Science Policy Network. Here we delve into the Science Diplomacy Exchange and Learning Program (SciDEAL), where early career scientists are trained to become science diplomats.
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Music Credits (Pixabay)
Freeze My Soul- DreamHeaven
What u Thinking- Wataboi
Academia and industry are two traditional routes taken by scientists who have just obtained their Ph.D. What about policy? In our first episode, we dive into the world of science policy with Caitlin Warlick-Short, Director of Communications at the National Science Policy Network, and the way in which young scientists can initiate local, national, and global change.
Music credits (Pixabay):
True Love - DreamHeaven
What u thinkin - Wataboi
Cali - Wataboi
We want to hear your take on our first episode. Give us your feedback here: https://forms.gle/Lb63QfvoHtdoCqcm8