Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
No Jargon, the Scholars Strategy Network’s monthly podcast, presents interviews with top university scholars on the politics, policy problems, and social issues facing the nation. Powerful research, intriguing perspectives -- and no jargon. Find show notes and plain-language research briefs on hundreds of topics at www.scholarsstrategynetwork.org/nojargon. New episodes released once a month.
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Episode 258: The Past and Future of Big Tech
04/03/2024
Episode 258: The Past and Future of Big Tech
In March, the Justice Department filed a major antitrust complaint against Apple accusing the tech giant of maintaining a monopoly over the smartphone market. This is just the latest action the government has taken against Big Tech in recent years, marking a clear shift from the cozy relationship the industry long had with Washington. What’s behind the love/hate relationship between Big Tech and our government? And what can Silicon Valley’s past reveal about the way this might all play out going forward? In this archive episode, originally recorded in September 2021, Professor Margaret O’mara digs into the history of Silicon Valley – from its early beginnings to the days of the internet boom – to explain the Valley’s ever-present intersection with US politics and make sense of the recent shift. For more of Margaret O’Mara’s work: Read her most recent book Check out her prior book, Find her prior
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Episode 257: Supporting the Needs of Refugees
03/05/2024
Episode 257: Supporting the Needs of Refugees
Border crossings coming into the United States are at some of their highest levels in recent history. Cities like Chicago and New York are struggling to provide services while the immigration system is running out of funding and faces a massive backlog of asylum applications. The situation is looking tough for many asylum seekers, but what happens when individuals make it through the system and are granted refugee status? Enter refugee resettlement agencies – organizations that provide food, shelter, and of course, job placement to newly arrived refugees. But according to sociologist Dr. Nicole Kreisberg, their current strategy of job placement is deeply flawed: prioritizing immediate yet low-wage work over long-term reliable employment. In this archive episode, originally released in August 2022, Kreisberg spoke to us about the harms of this strategy and what needs to be done to truly support incoming refugees. For more on this topic: Check out Nicole Kreisberg’s SSN brief, co-written by and : Read their research paper:
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Episode 256: MLK's Contested legacy
02/06/2024
Episode 256: MLK's Contested legacy
Martin Luther King Jr. holds a special place in the American consciousness and is one of the few people to have a federal holiday celebrating his legacy. But what exactly is MLK’s legacy? From immigrants rights groups to gun rights activists to politicians, the history of the civil rights movement and MLK’s work and words have long been used, and contested, by many different people. Drawing from her new book, Professor Hajar Yazdiha explained why MLK holds such a prominent place in our shared memory, how politicians and social movements have used his legacy for their own causes, and how all this has impacted policy decisions. For more on this topic: Read Yazdiha’s book, Check out her opinion piece in TIME Magazine,
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Episode 255: The Year of Strikes
01/09/2024
Episode 255: The Year of Strikes
From healthcare strikes to auto workers strikes to the Writers Guild and Hollywood actors strikes, 2023 was an eventful year for union activity. Professor Nathan Wilmers examined the implications of that activity and what it may mean for the future of the labor movement as employees fight for fair wages, equality, and protection in the workplace. Importantly, Professor Wilmers highlighted the history of the labor movement over the past few decades – as it may provide some answers for the future. For more on this topic: Read Wilmers’ paper, co-written by Maxim Massenkof: . Read his SSN policy brief:
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Episode 254: The Rise and Risks of AI
12/05/2023
Episode 254: The Rise and Risks of AI
Since the emergence of ChatGPT in late 2022, new artificial intelligence models have captured the attention and fascination of the world. Some Americans are still acquainting themselves with the tools while for others, these models are already becoming an essential part of their workplace. Professor Jim Samuel explained what generative AI is, how it functions, and its ethical concerns. Importantly, Professor Samuel laid out why AI tools like ChatGPT require more transparency and regulation–and what that should look like. For more on this topic: Read Samuel’s SSN policy brief: . Read his other SSN brief:
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Episode 253: The Long History of Conservatorships
11/07/2023
Episode 253: The Long History of Conservatorships
While news over Britney Spears’s 13-year conservatorship turned what was a largely unfamiliar term into one most Americans now know, involuntary care over adults with certain types of disabilities or severe mental illness is nothing new in the United States. In fact, the contentious battle between civil rights and health care needs goes back decades. Professor Alex V. Barnard explained the history of conservatorships in the state of California, examined the government’s role in overseeing involuntary care, and proposed ways the conservatorship system can be improved for those it seeks to help. For more on this topic: Check out Barnard’s recently published book, . Read his OpEd on this topic: .
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Episode 252: Ignoring Women's Pain
10/03/2023
Episode 252: Ignoring Women's Pain
With abortion bans passing in states all over the country since the overturn of Roe v. Wade, women experiencing miscarriages have been turned away from hospitals because doctors deemed that they weren’t in enough clear danger to receive abortion care. Meanwhile, many women experiencing fibromyalgia continue to have their social security disability claims denied because they are not able to provide concrete evidence that their condition severely disrupts their quality of life. According to Professor Dara Purvis, what links these two examples is that many doctors do not believe women who say they are in pain. She explained the role that courts can play on this issue and laid out what needs to happen so women’s pain does not continue to be ignored. For more on this topic: Check out Purvis’s OpEd: Read her law review journal article:
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Episode 251: Segregation in our Schools
09/06/2023
Episode 251: Segregation in our Schools
According to , while racial diversity is at an all time high in the K-12 public school system, racial inequality and segregation on school campuses persists, and continues to increase. Professor Erica Frankenberg broke down what racial segregation has looked like for marginalized students over the past few decades, what needs to be done to combat ongoing segregation, and how the recent Supreme Court decision on college admissions directly impacts this pressing issue. For more on this topic: Check out Frankenberg’s recent OpEd, co-written with : . Read her paper, co-written by Jongyeon Ee, Jennifer B. Ayscue, and Gary Orfield: .
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Episode 250: Climate, Health Care, and the IRS
08/14/2023
Episode 250: Climate, Health Care, and the IRS
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) was signed into law almost one year ago, but Americans are still learning how this giant legislative package impacts them. With provisions targeting different sectors of the economy, the IRA has focused most prominently on clean energy investments, prescription drug pricing, and funding for the IRS. And to learn what research can tell us about these major provisions, we spoke to experts who study each of these issue areas. Professor Matto Mildenberger took on the climate provisions, Professor Soumitra Bhuyan discussed health care, and Vanessa Williamson analyzed the increase in IRS funding. Enjoy this jam-packed special edition of No Jargon to celebrate 250 episodes! For more of Matto Mildenberger’s work: Check out his book . For more of Soumitra Bhuyan’s work: Read his paper, co-written by Shiyanbola O, Deka P, Isehunwa OO, Chandak A, Huang S, Wang Y, Bhatt J, Ning L, Lin WJ, and Wyant D: . For more of Vanessa Williamson’s work: Read her book,
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Episode 249: Unhoused and Underserved
06/06/2023
Episode 249: Unhoused and Underserved
In an , the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found that over half a million Americans were experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2022. According to Professor Megan Welsh Carroll, racial discrimination, criminalization, and of course, the high cost of housing all contribute to this growing crisis. And while progress is being made, many critical public services remain out of reach for this group, including one that has led to serious public health issues: a lack of public restrooms. As the director of San Diego State University’s , Welsh Carroll explained what her team is doing to combat this specific problem in San Diego and how their work can serve as a model in other parts of the country. For more on this topic: Read Welsh Carroll’s OpEd in the Los Angeles Times: Read her SSN policy brief, co-authored by and : Read her policy brief on the criminalization of the unhoused:
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Episode 248: Fifty Years of Mass Incarceration
05/02/2023
Episode 248: Fifty Years of Mass Incarceration
2023 marks 50 years since the beginning of mass incarceration in 1973, when the U.S. prison population started increasing every single year for nearly four decades, according to Professor Nazgol Ghandnoosh. Ghandnoosh, who works for The Sentencing Project, shared some sobering numbers: today, over five million people are under supervision by the criminal legal system, and nearly two million people, disproportionately Black, are living in prisons. During this conversation, she delved into the different costs of incarceration – both on the incarcerated and on our society – and highlighted efforts needed to bring down our prison population. For more on this topic: Check out Ghandnoosh’s brief for the Sentencing Project, Read her report on racial disparities in the prison system:
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Episode 247: The Flurry of Anti-Trans Legislation
04/04/2023
Episode 247: The Flurry of Anti-Trans Legislation
In states across the country, a flurry of new laws are being considered, and often passed, that specifically target transgender individuals – from bills that bar access to gender-affirming healthcare for youth to legislation that bans transgender people from competing in athletics. Professor Zein Murib shared where things stand, why transgender people have become the focus of so much legislative activity, and what these laws mean for the future of the LGBTQ+ movement and American society as a whole. For more on this topic: Check out Murib’s forthcoming book, Read their OpEd for Teen Vogue, Find the book, , mentioned in the episode
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Episode 246: No Box to Check
03/07/2023
Episode 246: No Box to Check
Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Americans may at times feel as though they’re invisible. An estimated 3 million of them live in the U.S. yet have no box to mark their identities on government forms, such as the Census, and other surveys. Professor Neda Maghbouleh, who has spent years studying the exclusion faced by MENA Americans, laid out how the misrepresentation of their race impacts their lives. She explained what steps need to be taken to increase visibility for those who fall in the MENA category as well as what changes are already underway – thanks to efforts by Magbouleh and her colleagues and . For more on this topic: Check out Neda Maghbouleh’s OpEd in Newsweek, coauthored by René D. Flores and Ariela Schachter: . Read an interview with Maghbouleh conducted by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights: .
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Episode 245: Invisible Barriers in STEM Education
02/07/2023
Episode 245: Invisible Barriers in STEM Education
In the American school system, math and science are considered essential building blocks of a good education. But for many students, those building blocks can topple over somewhere along the way. We spoke to Professor Lara Perez-Felkner, who laid out invisible barriers faced by racially minoritized and economically disadvantaged students pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). Perez-Felkner discussed ways that school administrators, policymakers, and families can come together to remove these barriers and increase opportunity – all the way from kindergarten classrooms to college laboratories. For more on this topic: Check out Lara Perez-Felkner’s SSN brief: . Read her paper, co-authored by Samantha Nix:
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Episode 244: Avoiding a Cyber Catastrophe
01/04/2023
Episode 244: Avoiding a Cyber Catastrophe
Gone are the days of file cabinets, wall calendars and phone books, as advances in technology have made storing information easier than ever. But given a slew of high-profile data breaches in recent years – both at governmental agencies and private companies – cybersecurity is quickly becoming one of the most pressing issues facing our country. How can our government better protect against increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks? And how might these data breaches impact the lives of everyday Americans? Professor Jeremy Straub answered these questions and more, emphasizing what needs to happen to prevent a truly catastrophic data breach – and what such a breach could mean for the world. For more on this topic: Check out Jeremy Straub’s SSN brief: . Read his paper: .
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Episode 243: Prison Cell or Recovery Center?
12/06/2022
Episode 243: Prison Cell or Recovery Center?
According to the CDC, more than 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2021. And a record-breaking 627 of those deaths occurred in the state of Maine. Substance use disorder is seen as a public health emergency by the medical community – but drug arrests continue to increase all over the country. In light of these developments, professor of political science Rob Glover, alongside his colleague Karyn Sporer (professor of sociology), set out to discover Mainers’ attitudes about current drug policy in their state and what reforms they favor. Professor Glover shared these eye-opening findings with us – as well as its policy implications. For more on this topic: Check out Rob Glover and Karyn Sporer’s OpEd published in the Kennebec Journal: . Read .
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Episode 242: Midterm Trailblazers
11/01/2022
Episode 242: Midterm Trailblazers
With the midterm elections around the corner, all eyes are on the record-breaking number of Black female candidates on the ballot. We spoke to professor of government Nadia E. Brown, who shared her research on what’s contributing to the rising numbers of Black women seeking office. During the conversation, Professor Brown explored what the combined identity of being Black and female means for those who enter into politics and ways in which prior political participation becomes a key motivator for them to run for office. For more on this topic: Check out Nadia E. Brown’s book, . Read her paper, coauthored by Jamil Scott, Lorrie Frasure, and Dianne Pinderhughes: . Read her SSN brief: .
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Episode 241: In Search of a Home
10/04/2022
Episode 241: In Search of a Home
With rent prices and mortgage rates continuing to skyrocket, finding and keeping stable housing is getting increasingly challenging for many Americans. But according to sociology professor Prentiss Dantzler, those challenges are amplified for members of marginalized groups, such as Black Americans. Professor Dantzler spoke to us about the ways racial discrimination persists in the housing market, despite laws - such as the Fair Housing Act of 1968 - that were put into place decades ago to prevent it. He emphasized that having a home should not be viewed as a privilege, but rather a human right, and offered policy solutions to help achieve that vision. For more on this topic: Read Prentiss Dantzler’s paper, . Check out a paper written by two of his colleagues, Elizabeth Korver-Glenn and Junia Howell, mentioned in the episode: .
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Episode 240: Falling Through the Social Safety Net
09/06/2022
Episode 240: Falling Through the Social Safety Net
Millions of Americans are poor, food insecure, housing cost-burdened, or medically uninsured. This is where the U.S. social safety net comes in – with programs like Medicaid, food stamps, and unemployment insurance – to catch their fall. But how many experience a smooth landing? And how can society provide tangible relief to those who miss the net entirely? We sought answers from professor of public policy Chris Howard, who broke down what’s included when we talk about the “social safety net” and proposed ways to mend the gaping holes. For more on this topic: Check out Chris Howard’s new SSN brief: Pre-order his forthcoming book,
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Episode 239: Supporting the Needs of Refugees
08/02/2022
Episode 239: Supporting the Needs of Refugees
The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the war in Ukraine have brought an increased number of refugees to America over the past year. Enter refugee resettlement agencies – organizations that provide food, shelter, and of course, job placement to newly arrived refugees. But according to sociologist Dr. Nicole Kreisberg, their current strategy of job placement is deeply flawed: prioritizing immediate yet low-wage work over long-term reliable employment. Kreisberg spoke to us about the harms of this strategy, and what needs to be done to truly support incoming refugees. For more on this topic: Check out Nicole Kreisberg’s SSN brief, co-written by and : Read her recent paper, also co-written by Els de Graauw and Shannon Gleeson:
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Episode 238: The "Neutral" Umpires of the Supreme Court
06/29/2022
Episode 238: The "Neutral" Umpires of the Supreme Court
The US Supreme Court has a long history of firmly defending its philosophy of neutrality and did the same for the recent and historic overturn of Roe. Wade. But according to law professor Cedric Merlin Powell, the Court’s neutral stance on cases impacting marginalized groups – including women and communities of color – ignores inequalities and in doing so, worsens them. Professor Powell sat down to speak with us about the serious harms caused by a judicial branch whose decisionmaking ignores the realities of racism, sexism, and other oppressive forces in our society. For more of Cedric Merlin Powell’s work: Check out his SSN brief: Pre-order his forthcoming book , Last but not least, SSN is excited to highlight a new podcast series, , by The McCourtney Institute for Democracy at PennState. In this series, Jenna Spinelle tells the stories of activists, legislators, academics, and average citizens who changed their cities, states, and the country by taking important issues directly to voters — like Medicaid expansion in Idaho, sentencing reform in California, and LGBTQ workplace protections in Ohio.
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Episode 237: Who’s Really in a Student Debt Crisis?
06/07/2022
Episode 237: Who’s Really in a Student Debt Crisis?
More and more Americans are facing massive student debt and daunting payment plans once the federal pause on loan payments runs out. But this burden is not spread evenly, and neither are the challenges of paying it off. In this episode, we spoke to Associate Professor of Public Policy Fenaba Addo about who is really facing a student debt crisis, what contributes to student debt accumulation, and how race and family wealth factor into it all. For more of Fenaba Addo’s work: Check out her report on this topic: Listen to her on an episode of PitchFork Economics titled
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Episode 236: How White Millennials Really Think About Race
05/03/2022
Episode 236: How White Millennials Really Think About Race
Millennials are often seen as a progressive-minded generation – as 80’s and 90’s kids, they grew up in a digital landscape that exposed them to a diversity of perspectives. But while expectations were high that this generation would be on the frontlines in the fight for racial equality, recent research by Associate Professor of Political Science Candis Watts Smith paints a different picture. During our conversation, Professor Smith discussed how white millennials’ really think about race and the ways in which their views and beliefs have largely halted progress for Black Americans and other racial minorities in the United States. For more of Candis Smith’s work: Check out her book on this research, Read her latest book Listen to her podcast, , to hear interviews with experts who study all different aspects of what it means to live in a democracy.
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Episode 235: The Real Culprits of Climate Change
04/05/2022
Episode 235: The Real Culprits of Climate Change
Conversations around climate change often focus on the consumption habits of everyday people: the cars we drive, the food we eat, our electricity bills. But according to geography professor Matt Huber, the carbon footprints of consumers are not what we should be so concerned about, despite all the rhetoric. During our conversation, Professor Huber focused on what (and who) he argues are largely responsible for our alarmingly high rate of carbon emissions – and offered solutions. For more of Matt Huber’s work: Check out his new book coming out on May 10th: Read his opinion article on this topic published in Jacobin:
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Episode 234: Election Disinformation
03/01/2022
Episode 234: Election Disinformation
The 2020 presidential election brought disinformation – defined as false information with the intent to mislead – to the forefront of public conversation. Subsequent events, such as the January 6 riot, reveal the serious danger disinformation can pose to democracy. To learn more about the far-reaching consequences of digital disinformation, we spoke with nationally recognized election law expert Rick Hasen, a Professor of Law and Political Science at University of California, Irvine. During the conversation, Professor Hasen shared tangible solutions to combat the rise of disinformation campaigns during US elections. For more of Rick Hasen’s work: Check out his new book coming out on March 8th Read another one of his recent books on this topic
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Episode 233: Pandemic Postpartum
02/01/2022
Episode 233: Pandemic Postpartum
The postpartum experience can be challenging enough for American mothers in normal times, but add a pandemic to the equation, and you may be left with a postpartum nightmare. To better understand what the birthing and postpartum experiences looked like in the early days of the pandemic and how the current Omicron surge mirrors those early days for new mothers, we spoke with Dr. Tova Walsh, an Assistant Professor of social work at the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Walsh has spent the last two years interviewing women who gave birth in the earliest days of the pandemic - an experience she shares with her research subjects. She explained the challenges these new mothers faced and laid out policy recommendations to improve postpartum care going forward. For more of Tova Walsh’s work: Check out her recent opinion article published in NBC News: Listen to her interviews about the experience of early parenting during the pandemic, on and Slate’s .
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Episode 232: Reflecting on Two Years of Trauma
01/04/2022
Episode 232: Reflecting on Two Years of Trauma
Amidst the dizzying onslaught of crises facing the nation – and the world – over the past several years, we are starting the new year by reflecting on how Americans react and respond to traumatic events, both as individuals and as groups. We spoke with Dr. Maurice Stevens, a professor of comparative studies whose critical trauma theory research focuses on ways individuals and communities react to overwhelming events.
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Episode 231: Broken Promises for Native American Healthcare
12/07/2021
Episode 231: Broken Promises for Native American Healthcare
Tribal communities are entitled to federally funded healthcare under treaties signed with the U.S. government. And yet, Native Americans often struggle to access quality healthcare, creating health disparities that take a tremendous toll on their lives . In this episode, research scientist Dr. Emily Haozous explains what those health disparities have looked like over the past few decades, where they stand now, and what needs to be done to better meet the health needs of tribal communities.
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Episode 230: America's Childcare Crisis
11/02/2021
Episode 230: America's Childcare Crisis
The decades-long childcare crisis in America continues to deepen: parents all across the nation have been facing immense challenges in finding quality, affordable childcare, all while childcare providers continue to deal with poor working conditions and cripplingly low wages. This month, we spoke to labor economist Mary King, who offered a detailed examination of the crisis and explained the many advantages of creating a universal preschool program.
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Episode 229: Rolling Back Roe
10/05/2021
Episode 229: Rolling Back Roe
With a near-total abortion ban that was recently passed in Texas and Mississippi’s request to overturn Roe v. Wade making its way to the Supreme Court, many are asking what the uptick in abortion restrictions in the US will mean for reproductive health and justice. On this latest episode, Professor Amanda Stevenson draws on her new research to show how abortion bans lead to an increase in pregnancy-related deaths and steps policymakers can take to expand greater access to reproductive health services.
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