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Home – CSUN Conversations – Diving Into the Discourse Channel

Diving Into the Discourse Channel

“Diving into the Discourse” features conversations with CSUN faculty and staff about the research and projects they are doing, and how they impact students and the community.

Episode 18:
The Future of Journalism Part 1

Hosts Matthew Bragulla and Carmen Ramos Chandler speak to Professor of Journalism Melissa Wall about the current state of Journalism and its future following the second election of President Donald J. Trump. They discuss the evolution of election coverage, the shift in public interest from news media to podcasts, the rise of alternative news sources and AI, Trump's rhetoric towards journalists, and more.

Episode 17:
MariaElena Zavala pt 2

California State University, Norhridge biology professor MariaElena Zavala was the first Mexican-American woman in the United States to earn a Ph.D. in botany.

Since coming to CSUN, she has played an integral part in building the national reputation of CSUN’s Department of Biology as a place where students, particularly those from underserved communities, thrive and successfully pursue advanced degrees at top-tier research institutions. Her work as a mentor and advocate for countless students who have gone through these programs earned her recognition from the White House. In 2000, Zavala received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring from former President Bill Clinton. In 2017, Zavala was named the first Latina Fellow of the American Society of Cell Biology, and in 2022, she named a Fellow of the prestigious California Academy of Sciences. Host Carmen Ramos Chandler continues her conversation with Zavala about her journey and her research dedicated to developed food sources, plants, that can withstand the ravages brought on by climate change.

To learn more about Zavala and her work, visit the following websites:

Episode 16 (Bonus Episode):
Latino Voters in 24' Election

Host Javier Rojas talks with CSUN political science professor Jason Morín, whose research focuses on Latinos, about the growing number of Latino voters that shifted toward President Donald Trump this past election and what it means to the future of the Democratic party. Click here to learn more about his research.

Episode 15:
MariaElena Zavala pt 1

California State University, Norhridge biology professor MariaElena Zavala was the first Mexican-American woman in the United States to earn a Ph.D. in botany.

Since coming to CSUN, she has played an integral part in building the national reputation of CSUN’s Department of Biology as a place where students, particularly those from underserved communities, thrive and successfully pursue advanced degrees at top-tier research institutions. Her work as a mentor and advocate for countless students who have gone through these programs earned her recognition from the White House. In 2000, Zavala received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring from former President Bill Clinton. In 2017, Zavala was named the first Latina Fellow of the American Society of Cell Biology, and in 2022, she named a Fellow of the prestigious California Academy of Sciences. Zavala talks with host Carmen Ramos Chandler about her journey and her research dedicated to developed food sources, plants, that can withstand the ravages brought on by climate change.

To learn more about Zavala and her work, visit the following websites:

Episode 14:
Why Anti-Racism Matters pt 2

As some states take measures to inhibit discussions about racism and its impact on society, educators across the country are struggling to find ways to create safe spaces where their increasingly diverse students can reach their fullest potential. Host Carmen Ramos Chandler talks with California State University, Northridge psychologists Jose H. Vargas and Carrie L. Saetermoe, who have developed a “roadmap” for educators that takes them on the journey to become antiracist and play a part in dismantling the systemically racist structures that stand in the way of their students’ success. The pair, along with colleagues at the university, have published a series of papers on the subject. To learn more about their work, visit the following websites:

Episode 13:
Why Anti-Racism Matters pt 1

As some states take measures to inhibit discussions about racism and its impact on society, educators across the country are struggling to find ways to create safe spaces where their increasingly diverse students can reach their fullest potential. Host Carmen Ramos Chandler talks with California State University, Northridge psychologists Jose H. Vargas and Carrie L. Saetermoe, who have developed a “roadmap” for educators that takes them on the journey to become antiracist and play a part in dismantling the systemically racist structures that stand in the way of their students’ success. The pair, along with colleagues at the university, have published a series of papers on the subject.

Episode 12:
Coral Reefs pt 2

Host Carmen Ramos Chandler concludes her conversation with California State University, Northridge marine biology professor Pete Edmunds about his life work studying coral reefs, discussing how climate change and severe weather phenomenon are effecting their health.

Episode 11:
Coral Reefs pt 1

Host Carmen Ramos Chandler talks with California State University, Northridge marine biology Professor Pete Edmunds about his life work studying coral reefs, discussing how climate change and severe weather phenomenon are effecting their health

Episode 10:
Misinformation during the 2024 Election

Host Javier Rojas talks with CSUN political science professor Alexandra Macias about ways to identify and combat misinformation during the 2024 election. As social media sites struggle to flag misleading and false content, Macias discusses how misinformation may play a role in determining the presidential race.

Episode 9:
The Effect of the Supreme Court's Ruling on Homeless Encampments 

Host Javier Rojas talks with CSUN political science professor Tom Hogen-Esch about the Supreme Court's recent ruling on homeless encampments and what it means to Southern California cities that have grappled with the issue for many years. Click here to learn more about the topic.

Episode 8:
Inspired by Geckos

Host Carmen Ramos Chandler talks with CSUN mechanical engineering professor Jamie Booth about his work to further the understanding of the performance of synthetic adhesives which harness mechanisms used by the gecko. Click here to learn more about his research.

Bonus Episode 7:
The News Media’s Responsibility During the Presidential Election, a Conversation with Media Studies Professor José Luis Benavides

Host Carmen Ramos Chandler talks with California State University, Northridge journalism professor José Luis Benavides the important role news media play during elections, and the responsibility they have to the public, rather than ratings and clicks. Click here for more about Benavides’ opinion.

Episode 6: 
The Value of a Humanities-Based Education, Pt. 2

Host Carmen Ramos Chandler continues her conversation Jeffrey Reeder, dean of CSUN’s College of Humanities, about the value of a humanities- or liberal arts-based college education, and the impact of a national effort to eliminate liberal arts requirements in colleges across the country. Click here to learn more about Reeder and the value of a humanities-based education.

Episode 5: 
The Value of a Humanities Based Education

Host Carmen Ramos Chandler talks with Jeffrey Reeder, dean of CSUN’s College of Humanities, about the value of a humanities- or liberal arts-based college education, and the impact of a national effort to eliminate liberal arts requirements in colleges across the country. Click here to learn more about Reeder and the value of a humanities-based education.

Episode 4: 
Affordable Learning with Lindsay Brown

Hosts Kaley Block and Javier Rojas talk with California State University, Northridge librarian Lindsay Brown about the development of zero-cost classes by eliminating the costs of course materials, an extension of a CSU-wide Affordable Learning Solutions initiative. Click here to learn more about the innovative program.

Episode 3: 
The Darker Side of Chocolate, a Conversation with historian Patricia Juarez-Dappe

Hosts Sydnee Roddy and Carmen Ramos Chandler continue their conversation with California State University, Northridge history professor Patricia Juarez-Dappe about the lessons chocolate can teach us about Mesoamerican civilizations, colonialism, the trans-Atlantic slave trade and 20th century human trafficking, and the Industrial Revolution. Click here to learn more about Juarez-Dappe’s chocolate research.

Episode 2: 
The Darker Side of Chocolate, a Conversation with historian Patricia Juarez-Dappe

Hosts Sydnee Roddy and Carmen Ramos Chandler talk with California State University, Northridge history professor Patricia Juarez-Dappe about the lessons chocolate can teach us about Mesoamerican civilizations, colonialism, the trans-Atlantic slave trade and 20th century human trafficking, and the Industrial Revolution. Click here to learn more about Juarez-Dappe’s chocolate research. Episode 3 will continue conversation about the “darker side” of chocolate with Juarez-Dappe.

Episode 1: 
A Conversation about the Movies with Nate Thomas

In the inaugural episode of Diving Into the Discourse, host Carmen Ramos Chandler talks to California State University, Northridge film professor Nate Thomas about the state of the movie business, and the roles people of color and their stories can play in its future.

Watch on YouTube     Listen on Spotify

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