Episodes

  • Episode 145 - Nicholas G. Hatsopoulos: "I'm a scientist, I love discovering new things"
    Apr 24 2025

    Professor Nicholas G. Hatsopoulos from the Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy is on The Course this week to discuss his career path. From majoring in physics to psychology, to playing the Bouzouki and working in Greece for a year, it was only later in life that Professor Hatsopoulos found Neuroscience and found his passion as a scientist working on how the brain directs body movements. As his research team continues to explore this field, wearable robots or exoskeletons might not be too far in the horizon. Tune in to hear more about his career story!

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    27 mins
  • Episode 144 - Fred Chong: "Never been a day I thought this was the wrong job."
    Apr 10 2025

    Professor Fred Chong is the Seymour Goodman Professor of Computer Architecture and is also a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. In this episode of the Course, Professor Chong shares how he witnessed the evolution of computers and A.I., while finding a niche, quantum computing and computer architecture, for himself to dive into as a research pathway. As a faculty member at the University of Chicago, he finds joy, meaning and impact in teaching and guiding students. Tune in to listen to Professor's career story.

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    27 mins
  • Episode 143 - Claudia Brittenham: "Objects keep me honest."
    Nov 14 2024

    Professor Claudia Brittenham is from the Department of Art History and the Department of Race, Diaspora, and Indigeneity. She is also the Director of the Center for Latin American Studies. In this episode of The Course, she talks about why she so enjoys the study of objects, the many alternatives she considered as she honed in on her area of focus, and how she transitioned from being an art curator to a University of Chicago professor.

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    30 mins
  • Episode 142 - Chiara Galli: "Every rose has its thorns."
    Oct 31 2024

    Assistant Professor Chiara Galli from the Department of Comparative Human Development is on The Course to talk about how her childhood experience moving to the US from Italy influenced her decision to study migrant issues. Professor Galli also shares various insights on choosing a major, being in an interdisciplinary department, and also her love for research methods. Don't miss out on her sharing!

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    27 mins
  • Episode 141 - Paula Harper: "That's a thing you can do?"
    Oct 24 2024

    Assistant Professor Paula Harper's participation in the choir drew her to music classes in her English major college days, and accidentally gave her a second major by the time she graduates. As she continues her journey to finding her unique path, she found her research interest by combining music, virality and social media platforms together. Join us this week on The Course, to hear Professor Harper share her story of working beyond conventional boundaries in a study field and how UChicago enabled her throughout the way.

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    29 mins
  • Episode 140 - Scott Gehlbach: "I got it. I know what I'm doing."
    Oct 17 2024

    Professor Scott Gehlbach from the Department of Political Science and Harris School of Public Policy would almost have gone back to his family farm business had it not been for his love for city life and the various life-changing experiences. After spending extensive time in Eastern Europe, he found his research niche and continues to quench his curiosity through conversations with scholars at the University of Chicago. Tune in to this episode to hear his winding road toward academia.

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    29 mins
  • Episode 139 - Jennifer Pitts: "It was a leap of faith."
    Oct 10 2024

    Professor Jennifer Pitts from the Department of Political Science is on The Course this week to talk about her career journey from being captured by art history to working as a reporter to finally pursuing a graduate degree in political theory. She also shares her recent focus on the international writings of W.E.B. Du Bois, and the most gratifying part of her job as a professor.

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    26 mins
  • Episode 138— Ruth Bloch Rubin: "You are the captain of your own ship."
    Oct 3 2024

    As an academic studying American politics at the University of Chicago, Assistant Professor Ruth Bloch Rubin recognizes she is living in an unprecedented time that future political historians will be studying intently. It is equally a great time to indulge in her political nerdiness with her students. In this episode, Professor Bloch Rubin discusses the importance of feeling driven by one's research focus but also being open to pivoting and adapting to one's experience and social changes.

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    28 mins