A lesson in social movements, protests and polarization
Social movements – and the protests they give rise to – have happened on American soil since before the country’s establishment as an independent nation. On Dec. 16, 1773, American colonists demonstrated their dissatisfaction with British tax policies by dressing in disguise and dumping 342 chests – around 92,000 pounds – of valuable tea into Boston Harbor. Originally known as “the Destruction of the Tea,” the event was later nicknamed “the Boston Tea Party.”
In this century, we’ve seen part of that moniker repurposed by the tea party movement, a group interested in lower taxes and decreased government spending who staged protests in over 750 U.S. cities on April 15, 2009 – Tax Day.
Social injustices, environmental issues and political concerns are just a few of myriad reasons people have organized protests over the course of history. David S. Meyer, UC Irvine professor of sociology, political science, and urban planning and public policy, is one of the nation’s top scholars on social movements. In this episode of The UC Irvine Podcast, Meyer leans on years of study to put today’s realities into historical perspective, analyze the current state of polarization and share what he’s learned about how action can spark change.
“Downpour,” the music for this episode, was provided by Patiño via the audio library in YouTube Studio.
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22:08
UCI Podcast: Women in science
In 1987, Congress passed Public Law 100-9, designating March as “Women’s History Month,” intended to honor “women of every race, class, and ethnic background” who have made “historical contributions to the growth and strength of the Nation in countless recorded and unrecorded ways.”
One academic discipline where the contributions of women have been overlooked and undervalued is science. Cailin O’Connor, UC Irvine Chancellor’s Professor of logic and philosophy of science, has spent significant time studying scientific communities and how they learn about the world together – and how cultures evolve unfair rules around characterizations like race and gender. Because O’Connor is a female working in science herself, she has paid special attention to the unique histories, challenges and successes of women who have chosen career paths in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
In this episode of The UCI Podcast, O’Connor addresses why women have been historically underrepresented in science and the barriers that still exist, how the accessibility of science careers for women has changed, and what can be done to increase female representation.
“Divine Life Society,” the music for this episode, was provided by Jesse Gallagher via the audio library in YouTube Studio.
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19:40
UCI Podcast: Bringing the classroom into the community
With a focus on early childhood education, Andres Bustamante and his team at the STEM Learning Lab are busy developing interactive learning spaces to enhance science, technology, engineering and math education in places where families gather – parks, playgrounds, grocery stores, even bus stops. Through collaborative partnerships with schools and community organizations – and by integrating the thoughtful input of local families in their design process – members of Bustamante’s group are creating opportunities for young children to learn in ways that are powerful and effective because they are also engaging, joyful and fun.
In this episode of The UCI Podcast, the associate professor of education and faculty director of UC Irvine’s Orange County Educational Advancement Network guides us on a tour of the playful learning landscapes he has helped install in schools and community locations throughout the city of Santa Ana and explains how and why they’re already making a difference.
“Skedaddle Back,” the music for this episode, was provided by Nathan Moore via the audio library in YouTube Studio.
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18:12
UCI Podcast: Navigating stress related to the holiday season
According to poll results from the American Psychological Association last November, 89 percent of adults in the United States were overwhelmed as the holidays approached by concerns such as not having enough money, missing loved ones and anticipating family conflict.
The goal of this episode of The UCI Podcast is to help you develop some strategies to manage the added stressors of this time of year – particularly when it comes to having challenging conversations with loved ones. Our guest today is Naomi Tabak, a licensed and board-certified clinical psychologist and director of UC Irvine’s Psychological Services Center. She’ll share tips to help listeners mitigate holiday stress and prioritize their well-being at a time of year when self-care is crucial.
Community members over 18 who are interested in learning more about the UC Irvine’s Psychological Services Center can check out its webpage at https://sites.uci.edu/psychologyclinic.
The center is NOT affiliated with UCI Health or the UCI Counseling Center. If you’re currently enrolled as a student at UC Irvine and are seeking campus counseling and clinical services, please visit the Counseling Center website at https://counseling.uci.edu.
“Soft Feeling,” the music for this episode, was provided by Cheel via the audio library in YouTube Studio.
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13:45
UCI Podcast - KUCI turns 55
The much-loved and eclectic campus radio station KUCI, 88.9 FM, turns 55 this year, and it has been quite a ride. What started as an underground station was among the first to embrace the internet. With an audience that now spans the globe, KUCI continues to air a diverse schedule of music and voices.
About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UCI, visit www.uci.edu.
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