54 episodes

“The Vandal Theory” podcast asks, “What gets University of Idaho researchers’ brains buzzing ... besides coffee?” These award-winning stories showcase researchers exploring and solving real-world problems. With interviews on all things Vandal, discover the world of U of I research with hosts Leigh Cooper and Danae Lenz.

The Vandal Theory University of Idaho

    • Science
    • 4.6 • 18 Ratings

“The Vandal Theory” podcast asks, “What gets University of Idaho researchers’ brains buzzing ... besides coffee?” These award-winning stories showcase researchers exploring and solving real-world problems. With interviews on all things Vandal, discover the world of U of I research with hosts Leigh Cooper and Danae Lenz.

    Episode 7.7: Geology on Mars and in Minecraft

    Episode 7.7: Geology on Mars and in Minecraft

    Question: Did you ever nerd out about geology as a kid?



    Meet Erika Rader (go.uidaho.edu/3Q4YVqz), an assistant professor in the Department of Earth and Spatial Sciences (go.uidaho.edu/448B2Ej) at University of Idaho. We’re going to discuss how scientists are studying the geology of Mars, how astronauts will need to navigate when they get to the moon and even how to go on a geology field trip online.



    Visit our website uidaho.edu/vandaltheory. Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu.



    More U of I Stories

    Sustainable Science Innovations (go.uidaho.edu/3vSC2Qm)

    Addressing the Mammoth in the Room (go.uidaho.edu/4d0A0yk)

    Researchers Model Vulnerable Energy and Water Nexus (go.uidaho.edu/3Jqf9qk)



    Music
    “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (go.uidaho.edu/3U3MNHs) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (go.uidaho.edu/3Q6LeY5).

    “Through the Asteroid Belt” by Timber Music Supply (go.uidaho.edu/3JmDuxs) via Amphibious Zoo.

    • 28 min
    Episode 7.6: Education Inequalities and Student Mental Health

    Episode 7.6: Education Inequalities and Student Mental Health

    Episode 7.6: Education Inequalities and Student Mental Health

    Question: What types of things do you imagine are harder for first-generation students to navigate while attending college, versus their peers whose parents also attended?

    Meet Krista Soria (go.uidaho.edu/4aMFjzn), an assistant professor in the Department of Leadership and Counseling (go.uidaho.edu/3J9QIxh) at University of Idaho. Her research focuses on the conditions that help students to learn, thrive and grow and how colleges and universities can create campus climates that support students from diverse backgrounds. Today she will discuss inequalities in higher education, the lasting effects of COVID-19 on students’ mental health and what faculty members can do to help.

    Visit our website uidaho.edu/vandaltheory. Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu.

    More U of I Stories
    Gold, Bold and Cold (go.uidaho.edu/3PTpgb9)
    St. Maries to Space (go.uidaho.edu/4cOX1nx)
    A Road Once Traveled (go.uidaho.edu/4cM6Dzz)

    Music
    “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (bit.ly/3f271AU) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (bit.ly/3D7wBMV).
    “Discovery Never Ends” by Brendan Warren Burns (go.uidaho.edu/4cPPYer) via Amphibious Zoo.

    • 28 min
    Episode 7.5: Diversity in the Workplace

    Episode 7.5: Diversity in the Workplace

    Question: Can you name types of diversity that could influence a team’s working dynamic?

    Meet Yun Chung (go.uidaho.edu/3vEnbc5), professor of management and human resources (go.uidaho.edu/4cM2pI4) at University of Idaho. Chung is going to walk us through several studies about diversity in the workplace including how diversity on a company board affects the company’s success and some nuances behind different types of diversity in the workplace.

    Visit our website uidaho.edu/vandaltheory. Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu.

    More U of I Stories
    Why Wouldn’t You Help People If You Can? (go.uidaho.edu/49iEyNm)
    Football Player Nominated to Join National Community Service Team (go.uidaho.edu/3TDgtLe)
    Developing New Building Technology to Reduce Errors (go.uidaho.edu/4cMd0mG)

    Music
    “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (bit.ly/3f271AU) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (bit.ly/3D7wBMV).
    “The Facts About Facts” by Micah Dahl Anderson (go.uidaho.edu/43JXMdI) via Amphibious Zoo Music.

    • 26 min
    Episode 7.4: Learning to Love Running

    Episode 7.4: Learning to Love Running

    Question: How do you feel about running?

    Meet Sharon Stoll (go.uidaho.edu/3vzwCJP), the director of the Center for ETHICS (go.uidaho.edu/4cwwVFQ) at University of Idaho and a leading authority in competitive moral education intervention techniques for college-aged students in America. She has been a consultant with many well-known organizations, including the U.S. military. Today she is going to discuss moral development in athletes and whether it’s possible to learn to love running.

    Visit our website uidaho.edu/vandaltheory. Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu.

    More U of I Stories
    Carrying Hope (go.uidaho.edu/4cwxhMG)
    Something for All Vandals (go.uidaho.edu/3VGDbVz)
    Copters, Darts and DNA (go.uidaho.edu/3PJy9DP)

    Music
    “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (bit.ly/3f271AU) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (bit.ly/3D7wBMV).
    “I'm Good, You're Good” by Sam Cardon (go.uidaho.edu/3VFJR6c) via Amphibious Zoo.

    • 29 min
    Episode 7.3: Exploring the Unknown Deep Soils

    Episode 7.3: Exploring the Unknown Deep Soils

    Question: Today we are talking about soil, so I want you to imagine digging a hole. How do you think the soil might change as you dig farther and farther down?

    Meet Michael Strickland (go.uidaho.edu/3VuJr2r) and Zachary Kayler (go.uidaho.edu/4aub5Bf), associate professors in the Department of Soil and Water Systems (go.uidaho.edu/3PAgcYu) at University of Idaho. They are leading a national contingency of scientists in building what amounts to huge terrariums at U of I: all to study a world that scientists still don’t understand — the deep soils under our feet.

    Visit our website uidaho.edu/vandaltheory. Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu.

    More U of I Stories
    Stepping Lightly in the Sage (go.uidaho.edu/3PyG9Yy)
    U of I Grads Making a Splash (go.uidaho.edu/3Tsw94c)
    Fields of Change (go.uidaho.edu/43qX4lv)

    Music
    “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (go.uidaho.edu/3TLajds) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (go.uidaho.edu/3VvMrf9).
    “Wanderlust” by Cody Martin (go.uidaho.edu/4a6Hais) via soundstripe.

    • 26 min
    Episode 7.2: Human Remains, Politics and Curiosity

    Episode 7.2: Human Remains, Politics and Curiosity

    Question: Do you think the dead have power over the living, either literally or figuratively?

    Meet Kate Kolpan (go.uidaho.edu/3TBacBh), an assistant professor in the Department of Culture, Society and Justice (go.uidaho.edu/3TA3uv8) at University of Idaho. Kolpan is a bioarchaeologist and forensic anthropologist whose research focuses on migration, violence, warfare and the politics related to the exhumation, identification and commemoration of human remains in both the past and present. She will discuss the politics of human remains and how forensics in real life differs from how it’s depicted on TV.

    Visit our website uidaho.edu/vandaltheory. Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu.

    More U of I Stories
    Meeting Educators Where They Are (go.uidaho.edu/3Ve5ASz)
    Using Mathematics to Tackle Infections (go.uidaho.edu/48U9p2F)
    Copters, Darts and DNA (go.uidaho.edu/4auJCiT)

    Music
    “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (bit.ly/3f271AU) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (bit.ly/3D7wBMV).
    “Redwood Chill” by Matthew Trent Cropper (go.uidaho.edu/3PihPcY) via Amphibious Zoo.

    • 29 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
18 Ratings

18 Ratings

Tim 2015 ,

Great, short intros to UI scholars!

Just discovered this podcast! Apparently it’s been running for three years? Anyway, I’m impressed- I really appreciate learning more about the UI scholars around campus. Thanks, Leigh Cooper!

Heather the grad student ,

I like but the music…

This is a cool podcast I like learning about the research going on at U of I while I am a graduate student there, but all the music used as kind of obnoxious not only the choice in music but there’s way too much of it.

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