Short Talks from the Hill

How can we best use artificial intelligence? What are the limits of AI and the ethical concerns we must navigate? Distinguished Professor of information systems Varun Grover delves into this rapidly changing technology.

The Smackover Formation in southern Arkansas, once a rich source of oil, has a massive amount of lithium, which is widely used today for rechargeable batteries. In this episode of "Short Talks from the Hill," researcher Erik Pollock talks about how lithium is extracted and what this metal could mean for the future of Arkansas.

In the March episode of "Short Talks from the Hill," agricultural economist Jada Thompson discusses the current bird flu strain, which has been circulating for years. The outbreak has affected flocks and driven up the price of eggs.

Julian Fairey, associate professor of civil engineering, discusses the discovery of a new compound formed by the decomposition of inorganic chloramine disinfectants in drinking water.

In December's podcast, exercise science professor Michelle Gray offers tips to slow both the physical and cognitive declines of age.

Lanier Nalley, University of Arkansas professor and department head for Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness for the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences, discusses his work on rice production and food insecurity and how that impacts our state and other populations around the world.

Mike Pierce, associate professor of history, discusses Daisy Bates, Arkansas' celebrated civil rights activist.

Mike Pierce, associate professor of history, discusses Daisy Bates, Arkansas' celebrated civil rights activist, of whom a new statue is now on display at the U.S. Capitol.

Scott Lafontaine, an assistant professor in food chemistry in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Science and a researcher with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, discusses plans to build a new Center for Brewing Innovation in latest Short Talks.

Page Dobbs, associate professor of public health in the College of Education and Health Professions, describes how self-identified small business owners on TikTok are circumventing local, state and federal laws that restrict the individual sale of tobacco products, specifically targeting minors.

Lia Uribe, music professor and associate dean of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, discusses community partnerships through music.

Entomologist Austin Jones discusses this summer's co-emergence of two broods of periodical cicadas.

Mitch Brown, psychology instructor in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, discusses his research on male formidability, or toughness, and how it informs stereotypes of personality and social functions.

Leading up to the total solar eclipse on April 8. Daniel Kennefick, professor of physics and a researcher at the Arkansas Center for Space and Planetary Sciences, discusses the science and history of eclipses.

William Schreckhise, professor of political science at the University of Arkansas, discusses a study about the relationship between civility and legislative productivity.

Mervin Jebaraj, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research in the Sam Walton College of Business discusses inflation, consumer sentiment and economic growth in Northwest Arkansas.

Ivan Vargas, assistant professor of psychological science and director of the Sleep and Stress Research Laboratory, discusses the causes, treatment and prevention of insomnia.

Musicologist Christa Bentley discusses her research and contribution to a new collection of essays about pop star Taylor Swift.

Caleb Rawson, assistant professor of accounting, discusses his research on corporate insiders China and the timing and impact of firms' strategic communications.

Patrick Stewart, professor of political science, discusses his book on presidential debates.

Mike Malone, Vice Chancellor for Economic Development, discusses university-led economic development and the U of A's economic impact to the state.

Jennifer Acuff discusses her research on food safety, including the new, popular cooking method.

Mary Beth Brooks, director of the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the University of Arkansas, discusses how the center helps small businesses.

Erica Westerman, associate professor of biological Sciences and a self-described “integrative animal behaviorist,” discusses the visual systems of butterflies.

Distinguished Professor Alan Mantooth defines semiconductors and discusses why the University of Arkansas is uniquely positioned to be a semiconductor research and fabrication hub in the heartland of the United States.

Renae Merrill, doctoral student in the public policy program at the U of A, discusses the association between social media use, personality structure and depression.

Jill Wieber Lens, professor and associate dean for research and faculty development at the School of Law, discusses legal ramifications of pregnancy loss, including abortion.

Jason Burrow, associate professor of musical theater, discusses being on tour with Hamilton.

Curt Rom, interim dean of the Graduate School and International Education, discusses the impact of the Distinguished Doctoral Fellowships and Doctoral Academy Fellowships.

Kartik Balachandran, associate professor of biomedical engineering, describes how microphysiological systems, or "organs-on-chips," are changing the study of human health.

Architecture professor and American Institute of Architects Gold Medal-recipient Marlon Blackwell discusses his projects and design philosophy.

Danielle Weatherby, professor of law at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, discusses Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act and the polarizing effect of speech narcissism.

Min Zou, professor of mechanical engineering, explains nano-surface engineering and her effort to develop low-friction, lubricant coatings and surfaces for mechanical systems and biomedical implants.

Ranu Jung, executive director of the Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research, discuss her vision for the institute, made possible by a $194.7 million grant from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation.

Kevin Murach, assistant professor of health, human performance and recreation, discusses how his muscle research could help people live healthier for longer. 

Michael Wilmot, assistant professor of management in the Sam M. Walton College of Business, discusses his research on the relationship between the Big 5 personality traits and success at work.

Cameron Murray, assistant professor of civil engineering, discusses his research on rapid-setting and pre-stressed concrete and a $140,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to study the most effective soil-cement mixtures for use in waterway structures.

Jacquelyn Wiersma-Mosley, professor of human development and family sciences, talks about her research on NFL player violence. 

Jill Marshall, assistant professor of geosciences, discusses her research on Earth's surface and Arctic watersheds in Northwest Territories, Canada.

Hugh Churchill, associate professor of physics in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, discusses the MonArk NSF Quantum Foundry and portable air filters that remove infectious airborne particles, including respiratory droplets that carry coronavirus, from indoor spaces.

Karl Schubert, associate director of the Data Science Program, discusses innovation, creation of the multidisciplinary data science program, and a recent NSF grant supporting low-income students interested in studying innovation in STEM fields.

Shauna Morimoto, associate professor and chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminology, and Anne O'Leary-Kelly, professor of management and senior associate dean in the Walton College of Business, discuss UA ENGAGE and women in STEM fields.

Shannon Servoss, associate professor of chemical engineering, and Now Diagnostics received an emergency use authorization for their rapid Covid-19 test kit.

Celina Suarez, associate professor of geosciences, discusses recent findings on the social habits of tyrannosaurs. 

Jordan Blair Woods, associate professor of law, argues that separating traffic enforcement from critical police functions will prevent minority groups from being disproportionately questioned, searched and arrested during traffic stops.

Jeffrey Murdock, associate professor of music education and winner of the 2021 Grammy Music Educator Award, discusses his teaching philosophy.

Jeff Gruenewald, associate professor and director of the Terrorism Research Center in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, discusses the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Shannon Servoss, associate professor of chemical engineering, worked with Now Diagnostics in Springdale to develop a rapid test kit that detects coronavirus antibodies.

In a major study of the so-called “Big 4” auditing firms, Liz Cowle, accounting doctoral candidate the Sam M. Walton College of Business, determined that the firms increase audit attention and improve audit quality when their work is covered by the media.

Paul Thibado, professor of physics in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, updates listeners on exciting new developments in his work to harvest energy from freestanding graphene. 

Caree Banton, associate professor of history in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, discusses her new book and the African and African-American Studies Program.