Global Inquirer

The West cheers and hails protests in Russia with the hope that the people will one day overcome Putin. But as researchers Katya Sankow and Anna Von Spakovsky explain, promoting protests are not as pro-democratic as we’d hope. It was in fact the Bolshevik Revolution through protests that created the Soviet Union. Mass demonstrations have a deep history in Russia, so the question is what will Putin allow.

Host: Balthazar Merrin

Researchers: Katya Sankow and Anna Von Spakovsky

Producer: Andy Carluccio

The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.

Sticks and stones may break my bones, and gaffes might hurt me too. Researcher Nick Mortensen spoke with Professor Brad Carson about the impact of embarrassing gaffes in politics. It turns out that awkward moments don’t necessarily end political careers. Rather, blunders stick and stain a politician’s reputation when the blunder fits into a narrative about the politician.

Host: Balthazar Merrin

Researcher: Nick Mortensen

Special Guest: Professor Brad Carson

Producer: Andy Carluccio

The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.

Gone are the days when countries bought vast quantities of foreign territory in the interest of expanding their borders...or are they? Beginning with President Trump's interest in a purchase of Greenland, we look both at the history of nations buying control over one another, as well as a glance to the future. What happens when nations are forced to buy foreign land because of the threats of sea level rise? What are the implications of one sovereign nation purchasing another? Is it possible that the acquisition of foreign nations could become the norm?

Host: Balthazar Merrin

Researcher: Walter Sharon

Producer: Andy Carluccio

The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.

Imagine being imprisoned for praying. Imagine being unable to communicate with your family. For the Uighurs in Eastern China, this is a reality. Every part of their identity as Muslims is being systematically erased: their mosques, their language, their culture. On our last episode of the season, we cover the humanitarian crisis unfolding in China. Researcher Anna Von Spakovsky interviewed a Uighur-American student; our interviewee provided key insight to understanding the crisis as the situation is far from clear and transparent.

Host: Balthazar Merrin

Researcher: Anna Von Spakovsky

Producer: Andy Carluccio

The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.

We’ve all heard and even experienced the impacts of social media: the distraction, the anxiety of checking likes. Today, our technical director Andy Carluccio steps up as the host to talk about social media with researcher Sarah Rocca. Social media is designed to be addicting, so how do users and governments alike tackle the addiction? Using case studies from the UK, France, and South Korea, Sarah and Andy illuminate different policy approaches that aim to influence human behavior.

Host and Producer: Andy Carluccio

Researcher: Sarah Rocca

The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.

It’s fair to assume that hummus has become a widely popular grocery staple in the US. Its murky origins, however, have rendered it a symbol of political tensions in the Middle East. The cultural dispute over hummus ownership has indeed been absorbed into the general framework of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Researcher Gabriella Soriano interviewed Professor Darren Zook to investigate the relevance of food in the cultural and social dynamics of nationalism. Tune in for a peculiar discussion on politics, food, identity, and 23,000-pound hummus bowls.

Host: Balthazar Merrin

Guest: Professor Darren Zook

Producer: Andy Carluccio

The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.

Join UVA’s premier undergraduate research podcast, the Global Inquirer for a special discussion on housing development, inequality and activism to gain a better understanding of our community. The event featured community leaders and activists as well as Andrew Kahrl, professor of History and African American studies here at UVA.

Check out the broadcast on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/GlobalInquireratUVA/videos/1045433865666988/

On today's episode, editor-in-chief Emi Lockwood interviewed John Sipher, former Clandestine Service officer at the CIA. They discussed heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, the U.S. North Korea summit, and the Michael Cohen hearing for the House Oversight Committee. The interview was conducted on March 1st, so things might have changed since then. Given his extensive foreign service experience, John brought up many relevant points that aren't typically discussed in the news.

Host: Emi Lockwood

Guests: John Sipher

Producer: Andy Carluccio

The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.

Iran is so often perceived as a dangerous country that is too difficult to understand. Today, we challenge that assumption, giving you a basic framework of what happened in 20th century Iran to understand the present. New researchers Ari Ghasemian and Gabierlla Soriano interviewed Professor Nader Entessar to understand the current Iran Nuclear Deal. PS: Iran has an exciting history complete with a coup d’etat by the CIA and shipments of planes full of cash.

Host: Balthazar Merrin

Researchers: Ari Ghasemian, Gabriella Soriano

Guests: Professor Nader Entessar

Producer: Andy Carluccio

The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.

The way we live matters now more than ever. The decision between walking or driving to the grocery store is not as much of a personal choice, it’s about how cities and suburbs are built to help its citizens. Today, researchers Emma Ross and Tyler Hinkle discuss how we can rethink transportation and city development. Emma spoke with residents of Moscow, Russia and Fukuoka, Japan to bring external perspectives to a very American topic: Cars. Tyler discussed urban planning with Professor Ellen Bassett and Professor Andrew Mondschein.

Host: Balthazar Merrin 

Researchers: Tyler Hinkle and Emma Ross

Guests: Professor Ellen Bassett and Professor Andrew Mondschein  

Producer: Andy Carluccio

The Global Inquirer is a production of the International Relations Organization at UVA, and affiliated with TEEJ, UVA’s podcasting network.