The Social Profs

Today’s guest on the Social Profs is Dr. Adwoa Onuora, an Associate Professor of Sociology and Founding Coordinator of the Black Studies Specialization at Trent Durham. She speaks with us about her work on Blackness, race, racial violence, and systems of oppression. She notes that these can be heavy topics, so she approaches them in an intentionally provocative way, with a dash of humour, to get people to open up and talk in a way that allows students to share and to learn.  She tells us about her love of teaching about Black women as change-makers, activists, theorists, and scholars. What does Adwoa google while watching Dateline? And what did she used to google as a gender scholar? This episode of Social Profs turns out to be for mature audiences only!

Episode notes and transcripts are available here: https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/socicrimtrentorientation/?post_type=chapter&p=225&preview=true

Music Notes
"Mi Alright" is performed by Chronixx and features Kabaka Pyramid as a collaborator. It was produced by Chimney Records.

On today’s episode of the Social Profs, we sit down with Beatrice Anane-Bediakoh, a Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Criminology at Trent University. We learn about how she uses a bridged trilogy approach to teaching, that combines academic work, community practice, and personal experience, to help students understand that they can talk about difficult subjects. By using this approach, Beatrice encourages students to share what they know and also how they know. We get to learn about the people who have inspired her and some of her guilty pleasures! The Social Profs starts now!

Episode notes and transcripts are available here: https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/socicrimtrentorientation/?post_type=chapter&p=219&preview=true

Music Credits
"Hip Hop Hooray" is performed by Naughty by Nature and written by Kay Gee, Treach, and Vin Rock

On today’s episode of the Social Profs, we sit down to talk with Dr. Mandi Gray, an Assistant Professor in Criminology at Trent University. We learn about her studies into legal systems, sexual violence, and the historical problematic prioritizing of reputation. She talks with us about the challenges of teaching difficult topics online, the need to recognize there will be survivors in the room, as learners and educators related to these topics. What is a surprising fact about Mandi and where does she want to go on vacation? Keep listening to find out!

Episode notes and transcripts are available here: https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/socicrimtrentorientation/?post_type=chapter&p=227&preview=true

Music Notes
"Sex and Violence" is written and performed by The Exploited.

Today our guest on The Social Profs is Professor David Rapaport, whose research interests put him at the intersection of changing technology, work, and labour relations. We discuss the state of the world and how Trumpism is the world’s major political project right now. This episode was recorded on November 4 2025, the day of the historic New York City Mayoral election. David shares with us his hopes for Zohran Mamdani and what it could mean for the future. We also learn the surprising breakfast that David starts most days with. What is it? Listen in to find out! 

Episode notes and transcripts are available here: https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/socicrimtrentorientation/?post_type=chapter&p=221&preview=true

Music Credits
"Let's call the whole thing off" was performed by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It was written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin.

Today on the Social Profs we sit down with Assistant Professor Greg Yeroshotis to learn about his interest in sports, health, and wellness. We discuss the conservative nature of sports, how he quote “geeks out on ethnography,” and his interest in NBA gossip. Who does Greg most hope he gets to sit next to on a plane? Keep listening to find out!

Episode notes and transcripts are available here: https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/socicrimtrentorientation/?post_type=chapter&p=212&preview=true

Music Credits
Don't Stop Believing by Journey. Written by Steve Perry, Neal Schon, and Jonathan Cain

Welcome to another episode of the Social Profs! Today we sit down with Dr. Momin Rahman, a Professor in the Department of Sociology at Trent University. Momin discusses his research on queer Muslims, and how this represents an intersection of two demonized identities. We hear about why he loves teaching theory as a way to keep learning new ways of thinking about the world for his students and for himself. It’s not all serious though! You would never guess the surprising impact David Beckham has had on his career and why lasagna is his go-to birthday treat! It all starts now!

Episode notes and transcripts are avilable here: https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/socicrimtrentorientation/?post_type=chapter&p=214&preview=true

Music Credits
 "Love lift us up where we belong" is performed by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes. It was written by Jack Nitzsche, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Will Jennings

In this episode of the Social Profs we speak with the ever-dapper Associate Professor Jim Cosgrave about his research on the rise of gambling as a legitimized business practice and activity. We discuss Jim’s love of teaching Intro Sociology, his musings on what Philosopher Nietzsche would bring to a potluck, and the real reason he loves watching scare-prank videos. This funny episode starts now!

Episode notes and transcripts are available here: https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/socicrimtrentorientation/?post_type=chapter&p=217&preview=true

Music credits
"Starless" is performed by King Crimson and written by John Wetton

Valerie Damasco is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Trent Durham. In this episode of the Social Profs she shares her family history and how it has led her to study issues related to immigration and labour, with a focus on Philippine-trained nurses working in Canada. We learn about her conversational approach to teaching challenging topics, how she feels students are most engaged when they can relate personally to the material, and how it is always advisable to consider one’s lecture slides when getting dressed for the day.

Episode notes and transcripts are available here: https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/socicrimtrentorientation/?post_type=chapter&p=223&preview=true

Music Credits
"A whole new world" was performed by Brad Kane and Lea Salonga. It was composed by Alan Menken and written by Tim Rice. It was featured in Disney's Aladdin.

For this episode of the Social Profs, we talked with Kadija Osei, a Tenure Track Lecturer in Criminology at Trent University. She spoke to us about how she uses story-telling as pedagogy, the ways she connects people inside and outside the classroom, and why she loves teaching qualitative methods. But Beware – her research theme song is sure to get stuck in your head!

Episode notes and transcripts are available here: https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/socicrimtrentorientation/?post_type=chapter&p=210&preview=true

Music Credits:
This episode features a brief clip from the "Library Card" appearing in the TV show "Arthur," written by Judy Katschke.

On October 25th 2024 the Citizen Advisory Committee in Peterborough is hosting a full day symposium on the stigmas and success stories of people re-entering the community following federal incarceration. Today we talk with keynote speaker, and Trent Assistant Professor of Social Work, Else Marie Knudsen. In this episode, we learn about her approach to researching and teaching difficult topics, why she resists sensationalizing them, and her idea for a new hit show, the Real Housewives of Medieval Times.

For transcripts and episode notes, please visit: Social Profs, Season 1, Else Marie Knudsen