Student project manager Kylie De La Cruz ’27 interviews Sarah Niebler, associate professor of political science at Dickinson College. Professor Niebler shares her thoughts on the 2024 U.S. presidential election and discusses trends in political behavior, election processes, and political science scholarship. She describes how media and emotionality have shaped American politics, and comments on the future of the U.S. and its election process. Read more

In this interview, student co-supervisor Georgia Schaefer-Brown ’25, talks with Pascaline Dupas, development economist and professor at Princeton University, who discusses her specific areas of research: health, education, and access to financial tools, and describes how exploring the interconnectedness of these issues originally drew her to this field. The interview also covers how different approaches to research projects are heavily influenced by qualitative observations or discussions– Dupas states that it is important that the data and project direction match the lived experiences of people. She discusses her privilege in research work, and how she considers foreign development in Africa to be reparations, not charity. The second half of the interview does a deep dive into one of Dupas’s research papers, a 2015 project examining labeled cash transfers in Morocco, and the impact of its unique findings on the development community. Lastly, Dupas gives advice to undergraduate students interested in pursuing work in development economics. Read more

Dr. Robin Darling Young, professor of church history at the Catholic University of America, discusses her translation process, the role of Western scholars in the Middle East, her journey to her area of expertise, and misconceptions about Gnosticism. She also highlights the importance of differing interpretations of ancient texts and of studying topics that arouse your curiosity. The interview is conducted by Sarah Ruschak ’27, Clarke Forum student project manager. Read more

Dr. Carlos Vargas-Ramos, adjust associate professor in the Department of Political Science at Columbia University, and director for public policy, external and media relations, and development at the Center for Puerto Rican Studies, is interviewed by Student Project Manager Layla Ilarraza ‘26. Dr. Vargas-Ramos sits down to discuss the historical and contemporary politics surrounding Puerto Rico’s status as a commonwealth. He explains how status referendums on the island are unreliable measurements of public opinion. He also considers what he believes to be the future status of the island. Read more

Manu Meel, CEO of BridgeUSA, shares his thoughts on political division, how bridging differences can be achieved in communities, and the importance of the 2024 Presidential Election. He is interviewed by Student Project Manager Supasinee Siripun ‘27. Read more

Student Project Manager Ella Layton ’26 interviews Katherine Gressel, curator at the Old Stone House & Washington Park in Brooklyn, about the art exhibition Picturing the Constitution. Gressel discusses the important role of artists when interpreting the Constitution and other political documents such as the Dobbs v. Jackson Supreme Court case. She talks about the value of working with Constitutional scholar Steven Mazie to provide expertise during the curatorial process. Gressel also shares her interest in site specific and participatory art in nontraditional spaces to make art more accessible to engage communities. Read more

In this interview with Joanne Golann, associate professor at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College and Clarke Forum student project manager Shayna Herzfeld ’25, the two discuss Dr. Golann’s recent book, Scripting the Moves: Culture and Control in No-Excuses Schools. Dr. Golann explains her research in these no-excuses schools: the effects that they have on students in and out of school and the reception of her work, including the school administration’s response and alternative teaching methods. Read more

Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman, Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology and director of the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania, is interviewed by Student Project Manager Layla Ilarraza ’26. Dr. Seligman, the “father of positive psychology” sits down to discuss what well-being is and how it is applicable to everyday life, especially among college students, and institutions as a whole. He discusses the building blocks of well-being: PERMA, and how recent advancements in Artificial Intelligence have expanded the accessibility of positive psychology. Dr. Seligman also offers advice to listeners on how they can lead a more positive life. Read more

Student Project Manager Ella Layton ’26 interviews Dr. Matthew Guariglia about his book Police & the Empire City: Race & the Origins of Modern Policing in New York (2023). Dr. Guariglia talks specifically about the technologies and ideas that formed the New York Police Department starting in the middle of the 19th century and how those persist today. He argues that surveillance-based policing harms all Americans and provides examples on how he’s fought these invasive police practices as a Senior Policy Analyst at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Guariglia also discusses policing and the prison system more broadly on the question of reform or abolition. Read more

Student Project Manager Ella Layton ’26 interviews Dr. April Baker-Bell about her book Linguistic Justice: Black Language, Literacy, Identity, and Pedagogy (2020). Dr. Baker-Bell discusses how she needed a framework to explain the discrimination her Black students faced because of their language. She asserts the autonomy of Black language because of its historical and social factors leading to its existence. Baker-Bell offers advice on how to practically dismantle white linguistic hegemony and uplift speakers of Black language. Read more

In this interview with author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Hagir Elsheikh and Clarke Forum student project manager Shayna Herzfeld ’24, the two discuss a wide range of issues such as political activism, domestic violence, and running a business. Elsheikh shares her empowering life story and hopes that it will inspire others to believe in themselves and live their best lives. Read more

Professor Eunji Kim, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at Columbia University, is interviewed by Isa Mester ’26, Clarke Forum student project manager. Professor Kim discusses her research and how she became interested in the topic of entertainment media how it affects political opinions. Prof. Kim’s perception of the American Dream, the relationship between entertainment media industry and the political system of capitalism, and the perceptions of rags to riches shows are also discussed.
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In this interview Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe sits down with Xenia Makosky ’24, Clarke Forum student project manager and co-student supervisor, to share stories and wisdom from over two decades of working with women and children at St. Monica’s Girls’ Tailoring Center in Gulu, Uganda and the Sewing Hope Village in Atiak, Uganda. Sister Rosmary also offers advice for listeners to serve others and alleviate suffering through total acceptance, unconditional love, and unwavering hope. Read more

Michael Gaines is interviewed by Natalia Fedorczak ’24, Clarke Forum student project manager. The William R. Gaines Jr. Veteran Memorial Foundation is discussed as well as his service in the US Army. The Beirut Bombing is discussed as well as how we can better educate ourselves about the bombing. And how the Foundation is helping Beirut Veterans. Read more

Farida Mohammadi, who served in the Afghan National Army and the Afghan Female Tactical Platoon, discusses her experiences in those roles with Ella Layton ’26, Clarke Forum student project manager. Read more

Baktash Ahadi, award-winning documentary filmmaker, discusses the making of the film, Retrograde, with Ella Layton ’26, Clarke Forum student project manager. Read more

Dr. Malabika Sarker, Professor of the Practice of Behavioral and Social Sciences at Brown School of Public Health, Brown University, discusses her work with implementation research and public health with Bella Lapp ’26, Clarke Forum student project manager. Read more

Keri Blakinger is a staff reporter at the Los Angeles Times, where she covers the sheriff’s department and jails. She is the author of the 2022 memoir, Corrections in Ink, which traces her journey from competitive figure skating, to struggles with an eating disorder and addiction, to eventually a two-year sentence in New York’s prison system. Blakinger is interviewed by Isa Mester ’26, Clarke Forum student project manager. Read more

Dan-el Padilla Peralta is am associate professor of classics at Princeton University, where he is associated with the Department of African American Studies and affiliated with the Programs in Latino Studies and Latin American Studies and the University Center for Human Values. He is interviewed by Bella Lapp ’26, Clarke Forum student project manager. Read more

Sarah E. Hill, researcher and professor at Texas Christian University, discusses her book, “Your Brain on Birth Control: The Surprising Science of Women, Hormones, and the Law of Unintended Consequences,” as well as her professional life with Clarke Forum Student Project Manager Sofia Perrone ’25. Read more