Unwinding: a podcast from the University of Kansas Unwinding - University of Kansas

Police reform has been at the forefront of the social justice conversation for much of the last year following the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota and the subsequent protests around the country. For Brandon Davis, assistant professor in the School of Public Affairs & Administration, this topic encompasses more than simply changing the way police are funded. Listen as Professor Davis discusses the idea of police reform, how we can better discuss race and policing in America, and his past as a cook at a James Beard Award-winning restaurant.

In March 2020, America's economy was rocked by the beginning of shutdowns and stay-at-home orders due to the rise of COVID-19 in the country. As a third round of stimulus hits back account this month, much of the country is still working to get back to pre-pandemic economic levels. Roy A. Roberts Distinguished Professor in the Department of Economics Donna Ginther, who also serves as the Director of the Institute for Policy & Social Research, used her experience as an economic policy researcher to begin providing updates on the economic impacts of COVID. Hear more about her work on COVID economic recovery, how she used her background as an economist to study how mask mandates improved COVID rates, her work as a policy researcher, and more on the latest episode of Unwinding.

Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic in early 2020, testing has been under scrutiny. From a lack of tests to delays in results, there have been signs that these systems need improvement. Foundation Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Engineering Steven Soper and his team have been working on a solution to make testing more convenient and more affordable. Listen as Dr. Soper breaks down how his team pivoted from working on cancer and stroke diagnoses to tackling testing for COVID-19.

August 18, 2020 marked the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote. 100 years later, women still lag behind men in holding elected office both nationally and regionally. Institute for Leadership Studies Lecturer/Program Associate and Communication Studies Ph.D. Candidate Emily Vietti is working to close the gaps. Hear about her research on gender gaps in politics, her work with Appointments Project & Ready to Run Kansas Women's Leadership Series, and how she is hoping to inspire more women to run for office on the latest Unwinding.

Ever wonder why the zombies in film and on TV act the way that they do? Associate Professor of French Paul Scott can provide some insight. Working on a new book while on sabbatical in Crete, Professor Scott sat down with us to talk his soon to be completed book on zombies, his time on sabbatical, and much more on the latest episode of Unwinding.

After a career as a debater at KU and now as Co-Director of KU Debate, Brett Bricker knows how to craft an argument. Yet, there is more to success in the world of competitive debate than having your points in order. On the newest Unwinding, Bricker lets us into the world of KU Debate, discusses his time as a member of the KU Debate team, and talks about how that can translate to the political debate stage.