September 30 is International Podcast Day, an apt time to explore how UR faculty and staff are using the digital medium to provide insights on current events or explore their research.

Launched in 2009, Podcasts@Boatwright is one of the first and longest-running podcasts produced on the University of Richmond’s campus. The 70 total episodes feature professors’ projects or books that cover timely topics — such as Elizabeth Outka’s book on the influenza pandemic or Nicole Maurantonio’s research on Confederate statues and symbols.

“Faculty tell me that they love them because it gives them a chance to learn about their colleagues’ research, especially if they’re in different departments,” said Lucretia McCulley, Boatwright Memorial Library’s head of scholarly communications, who started Podcasts@Boatwright. “It has brought the faculty together in many ways.”

Across campus, Richard Coughlan in the business school hosts “Dialogue on Decision-Making,” a conversation with Richmond business leaders about lessons they've learned throughout their careers.

In addition to faculty and staff-produced podcasts, UR experts are often the featured guests on national podcasts. Here’s a sample:

• Science Friday — Biology professor Melinda Yang was interviewed about her research on mapping ancient genomes in Asia.  
• FiveThirtyEight — Political science professor Dan Chen was interviewed about the political response to COVID-19.
• How We Got Here— Law professor Kevin Walsh, a constitutional law and John Marshall scholar, shared how Marshall delivered the news of Washington’s death to Congress. Walsh spoke in another edition about Marshall’s funeral procession through Richmond.  
• Saving the World with Barry and Lucas — Jepson School of Leadership Studies professor Don Forsyth discussed social isolation and group dynamics during COVID-19.
• BYU radio — Biology professor Jonathan Richardson talked about the long-term effects of pest control.  
• Will There Be Food?  — In a special Halloween episode, Carrie Hawes, UR’s associate director of employer relations, talked about ghosting — when someone suddenly cuts off all communication with no explanation — in the professional realm.
• Your College Bound Kid — Gil Villanueva, associate vice president and dean of admissions, was interviewed twice during the summer about UR and under-resourced students.