The College of Liberal Arts at the University of Nevada, Reno launched a brand-new podcast. Elevating Humanity interviews College of Liberal Arts faculty members on their research and creative work that is making an impact in local communities and around the world. New episodes are posted monthly and can be found on all major podcasting platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.

The first two episodes of Elevating Humanity already aired and the topics are diverse. The first episode featured Professor and Director of the Center for Basque Studies, Xabier Irujo. He discussed the meaning and history behind the Basque Diaspora. This episode was also posted ahead of the Day of the Basque Diaspora on Sept. 8, which promoted a celebration of the Basque Statue on the University’s campus.

The second episode featured Latino Research Center Coordinator, J. Diego Zarazúa. Zarazúa talked about his efforts in engaging with the local Reno Hispanic community. This is especially timely since the airing of this episode occurred right in the middle of Hispanic Heritage Month which occurs Sept. 15 – Oct. 15 each year. The Latino Research Center is an important entity in the College of Liberal Arts that helps to advance and elevate the Latinx student population at the University as well as in the community.

Future episodes of the podcast tentatively include guests from the School of the Arts to discuss a range of topics from current music industry trends, to Native American artwork, to diversity in modern dance. In addition, the College has no shortage of guests in the humanities and social sciences disciplines to talk about research on Nevada’s history, the election season, or important social justice topics.

Elevating Humanity ultimately themes its episodes on research and creative activity around the College’s tagline. A number of talented faculty publish work frequently, sometimes unnoticed. This podcast is intended to highlight those endeavors while offering another avenue for the public to learn about all of the exciting and impactful research and creative work happening in the College at any given moment. The podcast is one more way the College is able to share publicly how the liberal arts help to elevate all of humanity in a number of important facets.

The next episode of Elevating Humanity will air in October and is sure to be informational and engaging.

Topic ideas and future episode suggestions are welcome and can be submitted to Lisa McDonald.