Short Talks from the Hill: Recent Episodes
University of Arkansas
Short Talks From the Hill highlights research and scholarly work at the University of Arkansas. Each episode features a researcher discussing their work.
Psychological science researcher Grant Shields explains why stressful situations can cause us to indulge in unhealthy foods.
Use this instead: Concussion care has never been better. R.J. Elbin, director of the office for Sports Concussion Research at the University of Arkansas, discusses how the treatment for sports concussions has evolved and an emerging standard of care that appears to be producing better, long-term results.
For 50 years, a clinic run by the Department of Psychological Sciences has provided affordable, high-quality care. Director Jessica Fugitt discusses the clinic's work on the latest "Short Talks from the Hill."
The School of Art has a mission to promote the arts across Arkansas. Director Rachel Debuque shares how the school created programs for K-12 students and their teachers.
Ben Runkle, an associate professor of biological and agricultural engineering, discusses his ongoing research project called “Fish in the Fields."
How can we best use artificial intelligence? What are the limits of AI and the ethical concerns we must navigate? Distinguished Professor of information systems Varun Grover delves into this rapidly changing technology.
The Smackover Formation in southern Arkansas, once a rich source of oil, has a massive amount of lithium, which is widely used today for rechargeable batteries. In this episode of "Short Talks from the Hill," researcher Erik Pollock talks about how lithium is extracted and what this metal could mean for the future of Arkansas.
In the March episode of "Short Talks from the Hill," agricultural economist Jada Thompson discusses the current bird flu strain, which has been circulating for years. The outbreak has affected flocks and driven up the price of eggs.
Julian Fairey, associate professor of civil engineering, discusses the discovery of a new compound formed by the decomposition of inorganic chloramine disinfectants in drinking water.
In December’s podcast, exercise science professor Michelle Gray offers tips to slow both the physical and cognitive declines of age.
Lanier Nalley, University of Arkansas professor and department head for Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness for the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences, discusses his work on rice production and food insecurity and how that impacts our state and other populations around the world.
Mike Pierce, associate professor of history, discusses Daisy Bates, Arkansas' celebrated civil rights activist.
Mike Pierce, associate professor of history, discusses Daisy Bates, Arkansas' celebrated civil rights activist, of whom a new statue is now on display at the U.S. Capitol.
Scott Lafontaine, an assistant professor in food chemistry in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Science and a researcher with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, discusses plans to build a new Center for Brewing Innovation in latest Short Talks.
Page Dobbs, associate professor of public health in the College of Education and Health Professions, describes how self-identified small business owners on TikTok are circumventing local, state and federal laws that restrict the individual sale of tobacco products, specifically targeting minors.
Lia Uribe, music professor and associate dean of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, discusses community partnerships through music.
Entomologist Austin Jones discusses this summer’s co-emergence of two broods of periodical cicadas.
Mitch Brown, psychology instructor in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, discusses his research on male formidability, or toughness, and how it informs stereotypes of personality and social functions.
Leading up to the total solar eclipse on April 8. Daniel Kennefick, professor of physics and a researcher at the Arkansas Center for Space and Planetary Sciences, discusses the science and history of eclipses.
William Schreckhise, professor of political science at the University of Arkansas, discusses a study about the relationship between civility and legislative productivity.
Mervin Jebaraj, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research in the Sam Walton College of Business discusses inflation, consumer sentiment and economic growth in Northwest Arkansas.
Ivan Vargas, assistant professor of psychological science and director of the Sleep and Stress Research Laboratory, discusses the causes, treatment and prevention of insomnia.
Musicologist Christa Bentley discusses her research and contribution to a new collection of essays about pop star Taylor Swift.
Caleb Rawson, assistant professor of accounting, discusses his research on corporate insiders China and the timing and impact of firms’ strategic communications.
Patrick Stewart, professor of political science, discusses his book on presidential debates.
Mike Malone, Vice Chancellor for Economic Development, discusses university-led economic development and the U of A’s economic impact to the state.
Jennifer Acuff discusses her research on food safety, including the new, popular cooking method.
Mary Beth Brooks, director of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the University of Arkansas, discusses how the center helps small businesses.
Erica Westerman, associate professor of biological Sciences and a self-described “integrative animal behaviorist,” discusses the visual systems of butterflies.
Distinguished Professor Alan Mantooth defines semiconductors and discusses why the University of Arkansas is uniquely positioned to be a semiconductor research and fabrication hub in the heartland of the United States.
Renae Merrill, doctoral student in the public policy program at the U of A, discusses the association between social media use, personality structure and depression.
Jill Wieber Lens, professor and associate dean for research and faculty development at the School of Law, discusses legal ramifications of pregnancy loss, including abortion.
Jason Burrow, associate professor of musical theater, discusses being on tour with Hamilton.
Curt Rom, interim dean of the Graduate School and International Education, discusses the impact of the Distinguished Doctoral Fellowships and Doctoral Academy Fellowships.
Kartik Balachandran, associate professor of biomedical engineering, describes how microphysiological systems, or "organs-on-chips," are changing the study of human health.
Architecture professor and American Institute of Architects Gold Medal-recipient Marlon Blackwell discusses his projects and design philosophy.
Russell Sharman, assistant professor of practice in the Department of Communication, discusses his unconventional path to filmmaking, writing a film textbook, teaching film at the university, and "Animal," his new movie.
Mahmoud Moradi, assistant professor of chemistry in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, explains how his dynamic, three-dimensional simulations of coronavirus spike glycoproteins will help scientists understand how the coronavirus binds to human cells.
For the past several months, John Brooks worked as a consultant for True Detective, the HBO crime series. The third season of the series was filmed in Northwest Arkansas.
Marlis and Michael Douglas, professors of biological sciences, talk about the role of DNA testing in studying wildlife biology.
Stavros Kavouras, professor in the College of Education and Health Professions and director of the Hydration Science Lab, discusses his research on hydration.
Benjamin Runkle, assistant professor of biological and agricultural engineering, is helping Delta rice farmers use less water and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Joshua Youngblood, research and outreach services librarian, discusses the role of Special Collections at the university and for the state of Arkansas.
Jamie Brandon, UA Fayetteville station archeologist and research professor in the Department of Anthropology, explains the Arkansas Archeological Survey and discusses Leetown, an important archeological dig at Pea Ridge National Military Park.
Ashley Dowling, associate professor of entomology for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, discusses chiggers and ticks.
Claire Terhune, assistant professor of anthropology in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, discusses her research on the temporomandibular joint and important fossil sites in Romania.
Lynn Jacobs, Distinguished Professor of art in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, discusses the development of triptychs – paintings that have three panels and are hinged together so they can fold – in Germany during the 15th century.
J.D. Willson, assistant professor of biological sciences in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, studies the impact of invasive Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades.
Er-Gene Kahng, graduate chair of violin in the Music Department, discusses her work on the Florence Price Preservation Project, which is bringing the previously overlooked composer’s works to a wider audience.
Daniel Whitmire, an instructor in the Department of Mathematics and a retired astrophysicist, discusses his theory for the existence of Planet X.
David Tolliver, a doctoral student in Public Policy in the College of Education and Health Professions, talks about his recently published book, Student Activism as a Vehicle for Change on College Campuses.
Davis McCombs is a poet, professor and director of the program in creative writing and translation. In this episode, he will read selections from Lore, his most recent book of poetry.
Tim Yeager, professor of finance in the Sam M. Walton College of Business, discusses a stress test he developed to help community banks.
Peter Ungar, Distinguished Professor of anthropology in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, reads excerpts from Evolution's Bite, his book about fossil teeth and the diet of human ancestors.
Robin Soster, assistant professor of marketing in the Sam M. Walton College of Business, discusses her research on the so-called "bottom-dollar effect," how spending our last dollar affects the way we feel about purchases.
Mitchell Pruitt, a graduate student in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, describes a project to study the migration patterns of the elusive northern saw-whet owl.
Elizabeth Margulis, professor of music and director of the Music Cognition Lab in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, discusses how we make sense of music through repetition.
Paul Thibado, professor of physics in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, discusses graphene, a two-dimensional material that is a mere single atom in thickness, and its potential role in the development of next-generation of electronic devices.
Kevin Fitzpatrick, director of the Community and Family Institute at the University of Arkansas, talks about his recent study on food security and health among high school students in Springdale.
Randall Woods, Distinguished Professor in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, talks about his latest book: Prisoners of Hope: Lyndon B. Johnson, the Great Society, and the Limits of Liberalism.
Tim Yeager, professor of finance in the Sam M. Walton College of Business, discusses the Federal Reserve, where he worked for many years, and the housing and credit crises of the early 2000s.
Min Zou, professor of mechanical engineering, explains nano-surface engineering and her effort to develop low-friction, lubricant coatings and surfaces for mechanical systems and biomedical implants.
Ranu Jung, executive director of the Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research, discuss her vision for the institute, made possible by a $194.7 million grant from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation.