University Of Rochester's Quadcast

Now in its 20th year, the Polish Film Festival is a fixture in Rochester, thanks, in part, to the area's active Polish-American community. For most of the last two decades, the job of choosing which films to feature has belonged to Bozenna Sobolewska. Dr. Sobolewska speaks with host Peter Iglinski about the success of the festival, the state of Polish film, and the art of putting together this long-running event.   Original theme music "Roots and Wings" by Billy Petito ’18E.

Professor Joanne Larson is part of the leadership team for the educational partnership organization (EPO) between the University of Rochester and East High School. She says the prospect of helping turn around a school that was struggling with inadequate performance was one of the hardest things she's ever done.

Science News has named Ehsan Hoque, an assistant professor of computer science, one of ten Scientists to Watch in 2017. Hoque and the others were selected for "their important contributions to their fields and their potential for an even more tremendous impact in the years to come." His research focuses on human behavior as seen through a computational lens. Quadcast host Peter Iglinski talks with Prof. Hoque about his work and this latest honor.

The University of Rochester's first all-female Students' Association leadership team sits down with host Peter Iglinski to talk about their plans for the 2017-17 academic year. Jordan Smith and Rebecca Mooney discuss their passions, their futures, and "shattering a glass ceiling." Originally recorded September 5, 2017.

A treatment is on the way for stroke survivors who experience difficulty with their vision, says Krystel Huxlin, the James V. Aquavella Professor and Director of Research at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Flaum Eye Institute. Quadcast host Sandra Knispel talks with the vison expert about repairing and restoring basic vision with the help of a therapy that Huxlin has pioneered.

Does guilting kids work and is it ever ok to snoop on your teenager? Psychology professors Judith Smetana and Wendy Rote talk to Quadcast host Sandra Knispel about effective parenting strategies and pitfalls to avoid.

First-year students have plenty of questions about college life. Thankfully, the University of Rochester has answers. In this episode of the Quadcast, host Caitlin Davie ’19 asks University of Rochester staff, recent graduates, and current students for their tips on making a smooth and successful transition to college life. One of the best takeaways? "You're in the same boat as everybody else." Original theme music Roots and Wings (2017) by Billy Petito ‘18E.

Another school year soon will begin, and many students will be starting their first year of college. It’s an exciting and sometimes emotional time for students, family, and loved ones. In this special back-to-school Quadcast, host Nick Foti ’19 asks experienced parents, students, and University staff about what to expect on move-in day, and about the many programs designed especially for parents and guardians. Original theme music Roots and Wings (2017) by Billy Petito ‘18E.  

Sofia Svechina was a social force in early 19th century Paris. After emigrating from Russian, she operated one of the city's most popular salons, allowing her to become friends with—and adviser to—numerous political, social, and religious leaders. In this episode of Quadcast, host Peter Iglinski talks with Tatyana Bakhmetyeva, a lecturer at the Susan B. Anthony Institute for Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies, who wrote Mother of the Church, a biography of Madame Sofia Svechina.  

Economists and scholars from the University of Rochester are often credited with making the successful argument to end the U.S. military draft. After first being enacted in 1863, the draft continued during both times of war and peace until coming to end 44 years ago this July. In this episode of Quadcast, host Peter Iglinski considers the history of selective service, and the influence Rochester had in moving to an all-volunteer force.

Psychology professors Richard Ryan and Edward Deci, the founding fathers of Self-Determination Theory (SDT), talk with Quadcast host Sandra Knispel about what really motivates us, why money is often a poor incentive, and their new book Self-Determination Theory: Basic Psychological Needs in Motivation, Development, and Wellness.  SDT is one of the most widely accepted theories of human motivation in contemporary behavioral science.   

Commencement traditions at the University have changed over time. Some—like endless orations and a Latin alma mater—have fallen by the wayside. University of Rochester archivist Melissa Mead explains the history behind the ceremony and some of its quirky features. Graduating senior Liz Beson talks about her plans for the future.  

Final-year students at the Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have spent much of their last two semesters solving real-world engineering problems in a variety of fields. Host Peter Iglinski speaks with two of the students—Margaret Ferrari ’17 (MS) and Frank White ’17 about their projects and capstone experiences.  

Egyptian-born sisters Yasmin and Ayaa Elgoharry came to the U.S. aged seven and 11. The only Muslim family in their neighborhood, they often felt their religion was something to hide. Having nearly dropped out of high school, discouraged by their school counselor to apply to anything else but a community college, they are now graduating with a master's in educational leadership from the University's Warner School of Education. The first-generation college grads talk with host Sandra Knispel about their remarkable journey.  

The Take Five Scholars Program is a University of Rochester original, offering an additional semester or year of study, tuition-free. As scholars Madison Carter ’18, Seneca Hutson ’18, and Tanveer Karim ’17 describe, the program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore personal, academic, and professional passions outside their majors. Take Five advisor Juliet Sullivan is also a guest, and talks with host Jim Ver Steeg about some of the details of the program and how interested students can apply.

Nick Bruno '17 sits down in the studio with John Covach, a professor of Music Theory and the director of the Institute of Popular Music at the University of Rochester, to discuss this year's inductees, the Rock Hall, and its place in music history. Then, with the help of his guitar, Professor Covach walks us through Yes's hit song Roundabout and explains what makes it such an important part of rock history.

In an interview with associate professor of political science Hein Goemans, the expert on conflict points out that Germany was aware that its unrestricted submarine warfare would provoke the U.S. into WWI.   When World War I erupted in Europe in 1914, the 28th U.S. president had pledged neutrality for the United States, in sync with prevailing American public opinion.   But while he tried to avoid war, favoring instead a negotiated collective approach to international stability, over the next three years Wilson was rapidly running out of options. Tensions heightened as Germany tried to isolate Britain and announced unrestricted attacks against all ships that entered the war zone around the British Isles in 1915.   In early April, with the toll of sunk U.S. merchant ships and civilian casualties rising, President Wilson asked Congress for “a war to end all wars” that would “make the world safe for democracy.”   And so, exactly one hundred years ago, on April 6, 1917, Congress voted to declare war on Germany, j

A recently discovered trove of letters, speeches, petitions, photographs, and pamphlets—forgotten for a century in attics, barns, and on porches—now opens a window into the details of that historic movement. Originally owned by suffragist Isabella Beecher Hooker, the collection includes dozens of letters from fellow movement leaders Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

In this episode of the Quadcast podcast, Nick Bruno ’17 interviews Grammy Award-winner Stephen Roessner, a lecturer in Rochester’s audio and music engineering program, and Dan Kannen ’17, one of Roessner’s students. Together they discuss what goes into the selection of the nominees and award winners, how Roessner found out (or didn’t!) that he was nominated for his audio engineering work, and how changes in audio technology and streaming services are changing what people think about award-worthy audio quality.

Researchers from the Warner School of Education are using data to study everything from student success to the allocation of critical resources across districts. Associate professor, chair of Educational Leadership, and associate dean for Academic Programs Karen DeAngelis, and associate professor and director of the Educational Policy Program Kara Finnigan discuss some of what data can teach us.