The Culturico's Podcast

Computational topology and mathematics in politics and society with Kevin Knudson

Mathematics are at the core of everyday society's problems. In this episode, we invite Kevin Knudson into the show to talk about computational topology and how math can drive important political decisions, more specifically, the choices leaders had to take during the pandemic, and the drawing of new political region boundaries, known as Gerrymandering.

Enacting vaccine equity with Ruth Faden

In this episode, special guest Dr. Ruth Faden (Professor of Biomedical Ethics at John Hopkins University and founder of the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics) speaks with Culturico editors Jessica Brown and Federico Germani about the global vaccine inequity. In discussing global structures of justice and injustice, Dr. Faden shares practical ways to enact equity and the importance of understanding ourselves and others as global citizens.

Physics and the frontiers of machine learning with David Berman

Machine learning is taking over many areas of our lives, often invisibly. But what is it exactly and how does it work? Many of the ideas behind machine learning are taken from physics. In this accessible podcast, theoretical physicist Professor David Berman outlines what machine learning is, how it works, some of the issues it raises, its uses across society and how it is advancing knowledge across a variety of fields.

A pandemic memoir with Manash Firaq Bhattacharjee

In this podcast, Jessica Brown — a poet and editor for Culturico — talks with Manash Firaq Bhattacharjee, author of the recently released book "The Town Slowly Empties: On Life and Culture During Lockdown". In this interview, they discuss life a year ago, as the pandemic and lockdowns began. Manash discusses the diary that emerged as he navigated those early months, when time, memory, literature, film, cooking, and friendship were indelibly interwoven to those days. The conversation ends with some poems and a recipe for the listener — and some ideas for the year ahead.

The anti-vaccination movement on social media

In this podcast, Federico Germani and Omaina Aziz converse on the ongoing infodemic and the rise of the anti-vaccine movement on social media. In particular, they discuss the findings of the latest research paper authored by Germani, focusing on the different communication strategies pro- and anti-vaccine supporters employ. Relevant themes include scientific communication and political influences, with a focus on necessary systemic policy improvements.

The past, present and future of Syria with Iyad Yousef

Iyad Yousef is a Syrian who is dedicating his life to understanding and resolving the political, social and economic issues his country faces. He has worked in Middle Eastern humanitarian aid, security consulting and BBC documentary production, and has undertaken studies in topics relevant to his aims such as human rights, public policy and political economy. Iyad discusses his life and work in an interview with Culturico.

Lives and dreams of Tighmert

The lives and dreams of Saleh and Ahmed, inhabitants of Tighmert, a village located in an oasis in the south of Morocco. Their fortune is linked to the presence of visitors, but the fulfilment of their dreams could undermine the passion that sustains their ambitions.

The cultural role of individuals in the new millennium

At the beginning of our history, culture arose as an instrument to face the wildness of nature: every single human used to be a fair representative of our primordial knowledge. Nowadays, because humanity is safe, this original meaning becomes useless. While our civilization is growing so fast, how can we – as individuals – still actively embrace it?