Ask a Harvard Professor

Follow Ask a Harvard Professor
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

A podcast presented by Harvard Magazine. Managing editor Jonathan Shaw sits down with some of the world’s most thoughtful scholars to discuss everything from academic ethics – to hip hop music and medical marijuana.

Harvard Magazine


    • Dec 20, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 29m AVG DURATION
    • 32 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Ask a Harvard Professor with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Ask a Harvard Professor

    Rudolph Tanzi: What Can People Do To Maintain Brain Health As They Age?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2021 33:54


    Harvard Medical School professor of neurology Rudolph Tanzi discusses how lifestyle choices can help maintain brain health during a person's lifespan. Topics include Alzheimer's disease and other kinds of dementia, the role of genetics and environment in health, and the importance of sleep, exercise, and diet in controlling neuroinflammation.For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/2021/rudy-tanziAsk a Harvard Professor  is hosted by Lydialyle Gibson, Jonathan Shaw, Jacob Sweet, and Nancy Walecki, and produced by Jacob Sweet and Niko Yaitanes. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    alzheimer's disease maintain harvard medical school brain health harvard professor rudolph tanzi jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Makeda Best: What Does Landscape Photography Say About Our Politics?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2021 28:54


    Makeda Best, curator of photography at the Harvard Art Museums and a visiting professor of Art, Film, and Visual Studies, shares her insights on landscape photographers, as well as photographers of war and protest, capture their historical moments, and what their work says about cultural history and politics. Topics discussed include Best's research on Alexander Gardner, a Civil War photographer who was also active in the worker's rights movement, her current book project on American landscape photography, and Devour the Land, the current exhibit she curated at the Harvard Art Museums. For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/2021/makeda-bestAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Lydialyle Gibson, Jonathan Shaw, Jacob Sweet, and Nancy Walecki, and produced by Jacob Sweet and Niko Yaitanes. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    american art politics film land harvard photography civil war devour harvard professor makeda landscape photography visual studies jonathan shaw harvard art museums alexander gardner louis weeks
    Claudia Goldin: Why Do Women Still Make Less Than Men?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2021 33:27


    Claudia Goldin, Henry Lee professor of economics, shares the reason why working mothers still earn less and advance less often in their careers than men: time. Even with antidiscrimination laws and unbiased managers, certain professions pay employees disproportionately more for long hours and weekends, passing over women who need that time for family care. Goldin also discusses how COVID-19's flexible work policies may help close the gender earnings gap.For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/2021/claudia-goldinAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Lydialyle Gibson, Jonathan Shaw, Jacob Sweet, and Nancy Walecki, and produced by Jacob Sweet and Niko Yaitanes. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks. 

    covid-19 women career harvard harvard university women in business harvard professor goldin henry lee pay equality claudia goldin jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Jerrold Rosenbaum: Are Psychedelics an Effective Treatment for Mood Disorders?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2021 44:46


    Jerrold Rosenbaum, director of Massachusetts General Hospital's Center for the Neuroscience of Psychedelics, discusses the potential of using psychedelics, such as MDMA and magic mushrooms, to treat treatment-resistant mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Topics include the effect of psychedelics on the brain, how psychedelic therapy is conducted, the legality of medicinal psychedelics, and current research findings.  For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/2021/jerrold-rosenbaumAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Lydialyle Gibson, Jonathan Shaw, Jacob Sweet, and Nancy Walecki, and produced by Jacob Sweet and Niko Yaitanes. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    mental health anxiety depression harvard treatments neuroscience psychedelics mdma psilocybin massachusetts general hospital rosenbaum harvard professor mood disorders effective treatment mass general jerrold jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Nicholas Stephanopoulos: Why Does Gerrymandering Matter So Much?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2021 27:38


    Nicholas Stephanopoulos, a political scientist and legal scholar whose research focuses on gerrymandering, explains its effect on American democracy and how it might be stopped. Topics include recent state laws that limit voting, the voting-rights bills being debated in Congress, and the current state of “alignment” between voters' wishes and government actions.A note to our listeners: This episode was recorded on September 30, 2021. For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/2021/nicholas-stephanopoulosAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Lydialyle Gibson, Jonathan Shaw, Jacob Sweet, and Nancy Walecki, and produced by Jacob Sweet and Niko Yaitanes. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    american congress harvard political science voters legislature gerrymandering subversion harvard professor jonathan shaw nicholas stephanopoulos louis weeks
    Emily Broad Leib: What Can be Done About Food Waste?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2021 30:32


    Emily Broad Leib, founder and director of Harvard's Food Law and Policy Clinic, discusses how to reduce food waste in the United States and abroad. Topics include the confusion caused by misleading date labels, the impact of COVID-19 on food waste, and the FLPC's collaborations with governments and non-profit organizations to enact better food laws.For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/2021/emily-broad-leibAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Lydialyle Gibson, Jonathan Shaw, Jacob Sweet, and Nancy Walecki, and produced by Jacob Sweet and Niko Yaitanes. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    covid-19 united states harvard sustainability broad food waste leib harvard professor food labels food law jonathan shaw policy clinic louis weeks
    Sandeep Robert Datta and Venkatesh Murthy: Why is Smell Such a Mystery to Scientists?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2021 36:14


    Neurobiologists Venkatesh Murthy and Sandeep Robert Datta discuss what scientists know about our sense of smell, and what big mysteries remain. Topics include smell loss from COVID-19, experimental approaches to understanding olfaction, and the role of artificial intelligence in olfactory research.For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/2021/sandeep-robert-datta-and-venkatesh-murthyAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Lydialyle Gibson, Jonathan Shaw, Jacob Sweet, and Nancy Walecki, and produced by Jacob Sweet and Niko Yaitanes. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    covid-19 education science mystery harvard artificial intelligence scientists harvard university smell sandeep harvard professor murthy datta venkatesh olfaction jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Michael Mina: Why Do We Still Need Rapid Tests?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2021 32:22


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/2021/michael-minaAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Lydialyle Gibson, Jonathan Shaw, Jacob Sweet, and Nancy Walecki, and produced by Jacob Sweet and Niko Yaitanes. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    covid-19 harvard tests harvard university rapid harvard professor covid testing michael mina jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Preview: Ask a Harvard Professor, Season Four

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2021 1:49


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/2021/preview-ask-a-harvard-professor-season-fourAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Lydialyle Gibson, Jonathan Shaw, Jacob Sweet, and Nancy Walecki, and produced by Jacob Sweet and Niko Yaitanes. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    harvard photography harvard university mushrooms brain health food waste gerrymandering working women harvard professor career challenges jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Carrie Lambert-Beatty: What Happens When an Artwork Deceives its Audience?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2020 36:07


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/2020/carrie-lambert-beatty. Ask a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw, Marina Bolotnikova,  Lydialyle Gibson, Jacob Sweet, and produced by Jacob Sweet and Niko Yaitanes. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    harvard audience artwork lambert art history beatty post truth harvard professor art historian deceives jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Francesca Dominici: How Does Air Pollution Affect COVID-19?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2020 25:43


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/2020/jeannie-suk-gersen. Ask a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw, Marina Bolotnikova, Jacob Sweet, and produced by Jacob Sweet and Niko Yaitanes. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    covid-19 harvard affect public health air pollution harvard professor dominici jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Rebecca Henderson: Does Capitalism Need to be Reimagined?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2020 39:37


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/2020/jeannie-suk-gersen. Ask a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw, Marina Bolotnikova, Jacob Sweet, and produced by Jacob Sweet and Niko Yaitanes. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    harvard economy climate change capitalism economists harvard business school reimagined harvard professor rebecca henderson jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Jeannie Suk Gersen: Do Elite Colleges Discriminate Against Asian Americans?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2020 37:17


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/2020/jeannie-suk-gersen. Ask a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw, Marina Bolotnikova, Jacob Sweet, and produced by Jacob Sweet and Niko Yaitanes. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    college harvard supreme court elite asian americans harvard law school affirmative action discriminate harvard professor jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Danielle Allen: What Do COVID-19 and Extreme Inequality Mean for American Democracy?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2020 29:42


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/2020/danielle-allen. Ask a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw, Marina Bolotnikova, Jacob Sweet, and produced by Jacob Sweet and Niko Yaitanes. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    covid-19 american democracy harvard professor danielle allen jonathan shaw extreme inequality louis weeks
    Caroline Buckee: Can Mobile-phone Data Help Control the Spread of the Coronavirus?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2020 30:33


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/2020/caroline-buckee.Ask a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw, Marina Bolotnikova, Jacob Sweet, and produced by Jacob Sweet and Niko Yaitanes. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    covid-19 coronavirus pandemic data harvard spread public health harvard university cell phone epidemiology outbreaks mobile phones harvard professor location data jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Daniel Schrag and David Keith: Can solar geoengineering help fight climate change?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2020 46:54


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/podcast/2020/daniel-schrag-and-david-keithAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw, Marina Bolotnikova, Jacob Sweet, and produced by Jacob Sweet and Niko Yaitanes. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    world technology risk harvard humans climate change climate impacts harvard university solar co2 global warming emissions geoengineering harvard professor gigawatts david keith schrag timescale jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Preview: Ask a Harvard Professor, Season Three

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2020 1:54


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/podcast/2020/preview-ask-a-harvard-professor-season-threeAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw, Marina Bolotnikova, Jacob Sweet, and produced by Jacob Sweet and Niko Yaitanes. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    technology students harvard supreme court climate change climate harvard university season three admissions affirmative action geoengineering harvard professor jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Doug Elmendorf and Karen Dynan: How much can the federal budget and the deficit continue to grow?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2020 26:38


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/podcast/2020/doug-elmendorf-and-karen-dynanAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw and produced by Jacob Sweet. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    harvard harvard university deficit federal budget harvard professor elmendorf jonathan shaw louis weeks
    William C. Kirby: Is China ready for leadership on the global stage?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2020 53:47


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/podcast/2020/william-c-kirbyAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw and Marina Bolotnikova, and produced by Jacob Sweet. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    china leadership global harvard stage harvard university william c harvard professor jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Benjamin Sachs and Sharon Block: When did labor law stop working?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2020 30:24


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/podcast/2020/benjamin-sachs-and-sharon-blockAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw and produced by Jacob Sweet. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    harvard harvard university sachs stop working harvard professor labor laws jonathan shaw sharon block louis weeks
    Nicholas Burns: Why Does Good Diplomacy Matter?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2020 31:59


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/podcast/2020/nicholas-burnsAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw and Marina Bolotnikova, and produced by Jacob Sweet. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    harvard harvard university diplomacy harvard professor nicholas burns jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Maya Sen: Have U.S. courts become political prizes?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2020 34:58


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/podcast/2020/maya-senAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw and Marina Bolotnikova, and produced by Jacob Sweet. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    political harvard harvard university prizes courts harvard professor jonathan shaw maya sen louis weeks
    David Cutler: Can the U.S. Healthcare System Be Fixed?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2020 31:55


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/podcast/2020/david-cutlerAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw and Marina Bolotnikova, and produced by Jacob Sweet. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    healthcare harvard harvard university healthcare system healthcare costs harvard professor us healthcare american medicine david cutler jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Joseph S. Nye: How Do Past Presidents Rank in Foreign Policy?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2020 24:02


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/podcast/2020/joseph-s-nyeAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw and produced by Jacob Sweet. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    harvard harvard university rank foreign policy harvard professor past presidents jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Preview: Ask a Harvard Professor Season Two

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2020 2:02


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/podcast/2020/joseph-s-nyeAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw and produced by Jacob Sweet. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    harvard harvard university harvard professor jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Marcyliena Morgan: How has Harvard Cultivated Hiphop?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2019 44:09


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.Ask a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw and produced by Lydia Carmichael Rosenberg. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    music hip hop harvard rap archive harvard professor cultivated jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Robin Kelsey: Is a Photograph a Work of Art?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2019 32:32


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.For a transcript of this episode, go to https://harvardmagazine.com/podcast/2019/robin-kelsey.Ask a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw and produced by Lydia Carmichael Rosenberg. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    harvard harvard university photograph harvard professor work of art jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Edward Glaeser: Should We All Be Living in Cities?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2019 30:44


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.A full transcript of this episode can be found at https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2019/podcast/edward-glaeserAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw and produced by Lydia Carmichael Rosenberg. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    harvard economics cities harvard professor edward glaeser jonathan shaw urban growth louis weeks
    David Hemenway: Who Can Solve America’s Gun Problem?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2019 28:16


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.A full transcript can be found at https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2019/podcast/david-hemenwayAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw and produced by Lydia Carmichael Rosenberg. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    america guns solve gun violence harvard professor jonathan shaw david hemenway louis weeks
    Staci Gruber: How Does Marijuana Affect the Brain?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2019 31:19


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com/podcast and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.A full transcript for this episode can be found at https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2019/podcast/staci-gruberAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw and produced by Lydia Carmichael Rosenberg. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    research brain cbd affect weed marijuana thc legalization gruber harvard professor jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Lawrence Lessig: What Leads to Academic Corruption?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2019 27:36


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.A full transcript can be found at https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2019/podcast/lawrence-lessigAsk a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw and produced by Lydia Carmichael Rosenberg. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks. 

    harvard leads ethics corruption academic lobbying harvard professor lawrence lessig lessig jonathan shaw louis weeks
    Introducing: Ask a Harvard Professor

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2019 1:29


    For more information about Harvard Magazine and this podcast, visit www.harvardmagazine.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Ask a Harvard Professor is hosted by Jonathan Shaw and produced by Lydia Carmichael Rosenberg. Our theme music was composed by Louis Weeks.

    harvard coming soon harvard university harvard professor jonathan shaw louis weeks

    Claim Ask a Harvard Professor

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel