This episode of The Thought Project features a compelling discussion with Professors Philip Kasinitz and Liza Steele, sociologists at the CUNY Graduate Center, on immigration, public opinion, and the evolving challenges of migration policy. The conversation explores their analysis of a YouGov survey, which reveals a surprisingly positive outlook among New Yorkers toward immigration, even amid a historic influx of asylum seekers. Kasinitz and Steele unpack the nuanced dynamics shaping attitudes across the city, delve into the broader implications of federal immigration policies, and highlight the resilience of pro-immigrant sentiment in a time of charged political rhetoric. This episode examines how immigration continues to shape New York’s identity and why thoughtful, humane policies are vital to the city's social and economic fabric. Listen in for insights on the intersection of sociology, policy, and public perception in today’s complex immigration landscape.

In this episode of The Thought Project, host Tanya Domi welcomes Mila Burns, associate director of the Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center and a professor of History at the Graduate Center and Lehman College. A proud Graduate Center alumna, she shares insights from her interdisciplinary career spanning journalism, anthropology, and history. She discusses her forthcoming book, "Dictatorship Across Borders: Brazil, Chile, and the South American Cold War", which explores Brazil’s covert role in Chile’s 1973 coup. The conversation also delves into contemporary issues, including Latin American politics, immigration challenges, and climate change. Burns highlights the Graduate Center’s distinction as a Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) leader and its strides in empowering Latino scholars. From fostering groundbreaking student research to launching initiatives like the Reportage Fellowship and the Latino Data Project, her work embodies a commitment to amplifying diverse voices. Listen in to learn more.

In this episode of The Thought Project, Tanya Domi speaks with Charles Tien, a professor of Political Science at the CUNY Graduate Center and Hunter, about the implications of the 2024 Presidential elections. They discuss Donald Trump’s historic re-election, shifting voter demographics, and parallels with the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan. Drawing comparisons to Reagan’s landslide victory and its impact on U.S. politics, Tien explains how economic anxiety and inflation influenced voting patterns. The conversation also delves into the challenges ahead for governance in a closely divided Congress and the potential impact of Trump’s return to the presidency. The conversation offers a nuanced look at the new political landscape and the future of American democracy. Listen in to learn more.

In this episode of The Thought Project podcast, Tanya Domi talks with Professor Van Tran about the launch of the CUNY Graduate Center’s Ph.D. and master’s programs in Black, Race, and Ethnic Studies (BRES), the first of their kind in the New York metropolitan area. Tran, a sociologist who led the development of the programs with Professor Martin Ruck, discusses the mission to expand multidisciplinary research on race and ethnicity and train the next generation of scholars and practitioners. Funded in part by the Mellon Foundation, the programs build on CUNY’s longstanding commitment to ethnic studies. Tran shares how the programs will prepare students to address complex social issues, with coursework that integrates sociology, history, and various humanities and social sciences disciplines. The BRES programs, Tran says, will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of race and ethnicity, equipping them to make significant contributions in academia and in fields such as public health, medicine, education, law, and social work. Listen in to learn more.

In this episode of The Thought Project, we bring you a Celestial Bodies podcast recorded by science journalist Rebecca Rand and astronomer Mark Popinchalk in which they explore the surprising connection between trees and cosmic events. Popinchalk, a CUNY Graduate Center alumnus (Ph.D. ’23, Physics) and postdoctoral fellow at the American Museum of Natural History, discusses how trees serve as natural records of space activity, storing traces of radiocarbon from solar flares and supernovae. By examining tree rings, scientists can trace these cosmic events back through history, linking radiocarbon spikes to phenomena like the northern lights observed centuries ago. Through their conversation, Rand, a graduate of the CUNY Newmark J-School, and Popinchalk shed light on how trees help us understand outer space and the and the potential risks posed by high-radiation events. Listen in to learn more.

In this Domestic Violence Awareness Month episode of The Thought Project, Tanya Domi speaks with Jessica Morak, executive director of institutional equity and chief diversity officer at the CUNY Graduate Center, about her work to implement new Title IX policies, which prohibit sex-based discrimination in schools. The updated policy includes new protections for pregnant individuals and expanded employee obligations for support and information sharing. The conversation touches on broader issues of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, sex trafficking, and digital abuse. Morak shares insights from her past roles as a prosecutor for the Bronx district attorney’s office and her work at Sanctuary for Families, focusing on combating gender-based violence and providing holistic support for student survivors. The discussion highlights ongoing challenges and systemic issues, emphasizing the importance of addressing gender-based violence through education, legal frameworks, and comprehensive policies. Listen in to learn more.

In this episode of The Thought Project podcast, Georgie Humphries, a Ph.D. candidate in Earth and Environmental Sciences at the CUNY Graduate Center, talks to science journalist and CUNY Newmark J-School graduate Saugat Bolakhe about her work to fend off toxic algal blooms.   Humphries delves into the fascinating yet alarming world of phytoplankton – microscopic algae that produce up to 80% of the Earth’s oxygen and serve as the foundation of the marine food web. Certain species of phytoplankton, however, are behind harmful algal blooms. These blooms, which are being fueled by climate change and nutrient pollution, threaten marine life and human health, with consequences ranging from manatee deaths to water supply contamination. Humphries describes how she and fellow scientists at the Graduate Center’s Advanced Science Research Center are monitoring and addressing this growing scourge as they seek to preserve our oceans and protect public health. Listen in to learn more about how Graduate Center scientists are safeguarding our planet and its people.

In this episode of The Thought Project podcast, we discuss the current state of abortion and reproductive health care in in post-Dobbs America with Brittany Brathwaite and Frances Howell, Ph.D. students who are studying critical social psychology at the CUNY Graduate Center. Howell, whose research focuses on assisted reproductive technologies and racial disparities, and Brahwaite, a reproductive justice activist and co-founder and CEO of Kimbritive, discuss the far-reaching effects of abortion bans, particularly for Black women and marginalized communities. They emphasize the intersection of reproductive justice, race, and systemic inequalities, with Howell linking today's challenges to a long history of medical racism. Brathwaite stresses the importance of grassroots organizing and community advocacy, urging a broad definition of reproductive justice that includes bodily autonomy for all. Both scholars highlight the limitations of focusing solely on federal actions and argue that meaningful change often comes about by activists advocating at the local and state levels. They call for urgent, intersectional action to protect reproductive freedoms.

Education policy expert David Bloomfield, a professor at the CUNY Graduate Center and Brooklyn College joins The Thought Project podcast to discuss the challenges facing New York City schools amid a shakeup at City Hall. As Mayor Eric Adams grapples with a five-count criminal indictment, and Schools Chancellor David Banks steps down, Melissa Aviles-Ramos has been named the new chancellor. Bloomfield discusses the potential impact of this leadership change, raising concerns about continuity and Aviles-Ramos' ties to the administration under investigation. The conversation also covers critical issues such as the lack of a cell phone policy in schools, the implications of Project 2025's proposed elimination of the Department of Education, and the growing problem of chronic absenteeism, especially in low-income areas. This episode is essential listening for anyone invested in the future of New York City’s public schools and the broader education landscape.

CUNY Graduate Center Distinguished Professor John Mollenkopf joins The Thought Project podcast to discuss the legal challenges facing New York City Mayor Eric Adams and his administration as multiple investigations involving top city officials unfold. Mollenkopf, an esteemed political scientist and sociologist who directs the Graduate Center’s Center for Urban Research, examines historical parallels, drawing comparisons to previous administrations, and offers a thoughtful analysis of how the ongoing investigations could affect New York's political landscape. With his vast experience in and deep understanding of urban politics, he sheds light on the delicate balance between loyalty and accountability in public office. Listen in to this conversation for a deep dive into the challenges facing New York City’s leadership.

The Graduate Center’s midtown Manhattan campus is humming after a quiet summer. Fall classes are in session, and a new campus café and bar is bustling. One person who is excited about the revived energy is President Joshua C. Brumberg. This is Brumberg’s first year as the permanent president of the CUNY Graduate Center. A neurobiologist and CUNY faculty member for 22 years, he is well known on campus and at CUNY. But what is his vision for the Graduate Center? What are his priorities for this year? He recently joined The Thought Project to talk about where he sees the school going and his thoughts on how the Graduate Center can make a difference in the lives of students, in the city of New York, and in society at large. Listen in to this conversation as The Thought Project kicks off a new series in partnership with CUNY TV.