This Academic Life

Episode Notes:

In this episode, we discuss “grade inflation” and whether we are producing better grades or better students.

Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Cast list:

Host:

• Prof. Pania Newell (host) is an Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
• Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

Editing team:

• Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)

References:

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00952-8

https://www.ed.gov/about/homeroom-blog/addressing-grade-inflation-collective-action-problem

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2026/03/plan-to-rein-in-inflated-grading-explained/

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during the This Academic Life podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of the employers (Howard University, The University of Utah, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) and their employees. The employers are not responsible and do not verify for accuracy any of the information and content contained in the podcast available for listening. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate, support, and inform. This podcast does not constitute professional advice or services.

This podcast is available for private, non-commercial use only. Advertising which is incorporated into, placed in association with, or targeted toward the content of this podcast, without the expressed written approval and knowledge of This Academic Life podcast. The site assumes no liability for any activities in connection with this podcast or for use of this podcast in connection with any other website, computer or playing device.

In this episode, we discuss the vital role of staff in academia, shedding light on their contributions behind the scenes and their impact on research, teaching, and the day-to-day operations that keep institutions running smoothly.

Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us anywhere you listen to podcast.

Host:

• Prof. Pania Newell (host) is an Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
• Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

Editing team:

• Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during the This Academic Life podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of the employers (Howard University, The University of Utah, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) and their employees. The employers are not responsible and do not verify for accuracy any of the information and content contained in the podcast available for listening. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate, support, and inform. This podcast does not constitute professional advice or services.

This podcast is available for private, non-commercial use only. Advertising which is incorporated into, placed in association with, or targeted toward the content of this podcast, without the expressed written approval and knowledge of This Academic Life podcast. The site assumes no liability for any activities in connection with this podcast or for use of this podcast in connection with any other website, computer or playing device.

Episode Notes:

In this episode, we talk about the faculty–graduate student relationship, a unique bond shaped by mentorship, collaboration, and the challenges of the dissertation journey.

Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”.

Cast list:

Host:

• Prof. Pania Newell (host) is an Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
• Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

Editing team:

• Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during the This Academic Life podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of the employers (Howard University, The University of Utah, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) and their employees. The employers are not responsible and do not verify for accuracy any of the information and content contained in the podcast available for listening. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate, support, and inform. This podcast does not constitute professional advice or services.

This podcast is available for private, non-commercial use only. Advertising which is incorporated into, placed in association with, or targeted toward the content of this podcast, without the expressed written approval and knowledge of This Academic Life podcast site assume no liability for any activities in connection with this podcast or for use of this podcast in connection with any other website, computer or playing device.

Shows Notes - Episode #89

Episode Notes:

In this episode, we talk about traditional research funding sources in the U.S. and discuss how creativity and resilience can help us navigate uncertain times.

Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”.

Cast list:

Host:

• Prof. Pania Newell (host) is an Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.
• Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

Editing team:

• Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)

References:

• https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsf24332

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during the This Academic Life podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of the employers (Howard University, The University of Utah, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) and their employees. The employers are not responsible and do not verify for accuracy any of the information and content contained in the podcast available for listening. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate, support, and inform. This podcast does not constitute professional advice or services.

This podcast is available for private, non-commercial use only. Advertising which is incorporated into, placed in association with, or targeted toward the content of this podcast, without the expressed written approval and knowledge of This Academic Life podcast site assume no liability for any activities in connection with this podcast or for use of this podcast in connection with any other website, computer or playing device.

Shows Notes - Episode #88

Episode Notes:

In this episode, we have a conversation with Dr. Laurel Kuxhaus, a program director at NIH who was among the thousands that got laid off by the federal government. She shares her insights as she navigates through setbacks and uncertainties.

Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”.

Cast list:

Guest:

• Dr. Laurel Kuxhaus, Biomedical Engineer, laurelkuxhaus.com, email: [email protected]

Host:

• Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

Editing team:

• Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)

References:

• https://www.kgou.org/health/2025-02-14/staff-at-cdc-and-nih-are-reeling-as-trump-administration-cuts-workforce
• https://www.justsecurity.org/114005/federal-court-halts-mass-layoffs-civil-service/

Disclaimer:

The views, information, or opinions expressed during the This Academic Life podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of the employers (Howard University, The University of Utah, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) and their employees. The employers are not responsible and do not verify for accuracy any of the information and content contained in the podcast available for listening. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate, support, and inform. This podcast does not constitute professional advice or services.

This podcast is available for private, non-commercial use only. Advertising which is incorporated into, placed in association with, or targeted toward the content of this podcast, without the expressed written approval and knowledge of This Academic Life podcast site assume no liability for any activities in connection with this podcast or for use of this podcast in connection with any other website, computer or playing device.

Episode Notes:

In this episode, we explore the topic of overhead in academia, from its historical roots to its perceived benefits and challenges and discuss how lower overhead rates could impact the way research is conducted in the United States.

Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”.

Cast list:

Hosts:

• Prof. Pania Newell (host) is an Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.

• Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

Editing team:

• Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)

References:

• https://www.aau.edu/key-issues/frequently-asked-questions-about-facilities-and-administrative-costs

In this episode, we'll be talking about a day we've been longing for - a day to unplug and unwind. We'll talk about why it is so difficult and yet so important to take a pause once a while from our daily grind.

Host: Lucy Zhang

References:

https://celesteheadlee.com/do-nothing-book/

We are back! It's only been a few months, but we can't wait to reconnect with our listeners.

In this episode, Pania and Lucy will talk about unprofessional behaviors that happen in academic environment. We'll share our experiences and also discuss ways we can mitigate and react to these situations.

Some references we mentioned in the show:

https://sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/faculty_ombuds/documents/survivors_guide2academic_bullying.pdf

https://stemeducationjournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40594-024-00486-3

https://www.mededportal.org/doi/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.11352

In this episode, we say a temporary goodbye. We would like to thank all our listeners, guests, and our sponsors for your support in the past 4 years. As we move forward, we will bring you some great content periodically on topics that will help all of us to thrive in this academic life.

Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]

Hosts:

• Prof. Kim Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and Associate Dean of Research in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University.
• Prof. Pania Newell (host) is an Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.

• Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

Editing team:

• Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
• Edited by Angella Chen
• Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)

Please join us for this episode that discusses our experiences with research laboratory renovations. We discuss general steps in the renovations process and provide some guidance to junior faculty members.

Contact list: If you have any comments about our show or have suggestions for a future topic, please contact us at [email protected]. You can also find us on the webpage https://thisacademiclife.org and on Facebook group “This Academic Life”.

Hosts:

• Prof. Kim Lewis (host) is a Professor of Physics and an associate professor of Research at Howard University
• Prof. Pania Newell (host) is an Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at The University of Utah.

• Prof. Lucy Zhang (host) is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

Editing team:

• Music by RuthAnn Schallert-Wygal ([email protected])
• Edited by Angella Chen
• Artwork is created using Canva (canva.com)