The Clarke Forum For Contemporary Issues Clarke Forum for Contemporary Issues

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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