The Hidden Figures podcast dives into the remarkable stories and groundbreaking contributions of BIPOC scholars in the natural and social sciences. In each episode we dig into the research and experiences of these extraordinary individuals, shedding a light on their work and the challenges they face.
Dr. Allan E.S. Lumba is an Assistant Professor of History at Concordia University. His latest book "Monetary Authorities: Capitalism and Decolonization in the American Colonial Philippines" is available from Duke University Press, or at the open access at the link below. In this episode, Dr. Lumba chats with Joe and Annie about the importance of history in understanding contemporary issues, especially as they relate to race and power. He emphasizes the need for institutional change within academia to better serve communities and address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and discusses his research on the American colonial Philippines and his upcoming projects on infrastructural history in Manila.
https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/58913 (https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/58913)
14 Mar 2025
Episode #18: Dr. Sylvia Santosa
Dr. Sylvia Santosa, Canada Research Chair in Clinical Nutrition at Concordia University, joins the Hidden Figures team to discuss her journey into academia and how she became interested in researching fat tissue, obesity, and metabolic disorders. This conversation covers the challenges of bias and inequity in academia and within the discipline itself, but also highlights positive shifts towards inclusivity and a growing recognition of diverse experiences. Dr. Santosa also shares her insights on the evolving criteria for evaluating success, such as grants and peer review processes, that are contributing to a more equitable and inclusive academic environment.
13 Dec 2024
Episode #17: Dr. Alejandro Hernandez
Dr. Alejandro Hernandez shares insights on the complexities of academia, structural barriers to research, and the preference for non-Canadian candidates in sociology departments.
15 Nov 2024
Episode #16: Dr. Ethel Tungohan
In this episode, Dr. Ethel Tungohan discusses what motivates her, her experiences with tenure processes, and the relevance of her research in a polarized political environment. Dr. Tungohan shares her approach to making research accessible to broader communities and discusses socially engaged research practices. The podcast also touches on the challenges and biases in academic disciplines and the importance of uplifting marginalized scholars in the field. Dr. Tungohan also discusses the way that her podcast “Academic Aunties” is form of community support, and she tells Nathan and Joe to start a Hidden Figures band.
https://www.academicaunties.com/
31 Oct 2024
Episode #15: Dr. Raywat Deonandan
In this episode, Dr. Raywat Deonandan talks with Annie about his journey from childhood in Guyana to pursuing a career in science and academia. He reflects on the importance of being brutally honest about personal goals and motivations in choosing a career path, and also emphasizes the role of academia in public health communication, the need for knowledge translation, and the challenges of balancing well-considered research with rapid responses in emergencies. Dr. Deonandan advocates for engaging conversations and meaningful relationships in knowledge exchange and highlights the complexities of knowledge mobilization and the importance of accessibility in academia.
6 Sept 2024
Episode #14: ECS Special feat. Tari Ajadi, Akalya Kandiah, and Renata Hall
In this special Early Career Scholar episode of the HF Podcast, Renata Hall and Tari Ajadi talk with Akalya Kandiah about their experiences of incorporating activism into their academic journey. Hall shares her journey from facing challenges as a Black identifying student in the classroom to creating the Learning in Color project to advocate for inclusivity and anti-racism in higher education. Dr. Ajadi discusses his activism in Black communities and the challenges of being an ECR in the academy. Both scholars reflect on the importance of mentorship and the impact of uncompensated labor on their academic pursuits. They also highlight the disparities in mentorship and the need for systemic changes within academia. Throughout the conversation, Hall and Dr. Ajadi discuss the importance of accountability to the communities they research and the challenges they face as BIPOC scholars.
23 Aug 2024
Episode #13: Dr. Janelle Joseph
This episode features Dr. Janelle Joseph (https://janellejoseph.com/ (https://janellejoseph.com/)), who discusses her research on anti-racism policies, physical activity access, decoloniality, and ethics. Dr. Joseph's groundbreaking 2017 book "Black Atlantic: Cricket, Canada and the Caribbean Diaspora" (linked below) focused on how sports create transnational social fields that connect migrants in North America, England, and the Caribbean. She is the founder of the IDEAS research lab dedicated to issues of race and movement cultures in Canada. Her conversation with the Hidden Figures podcast team covers the challenges of accessing predominantly white and male spaces in her research, the importance of centering the voices of participants in her work to address racism in university sports, and the need for policies to address racism in athletic departments across Canada.
https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781784994075/sport-in-the-black-atlantic/ (https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781784994075/sport-in-the-black-atlantic/)
https://www.amazon.ca/Sport-Black-Atlantic-Caribbean-diaspora/dp/1784994073/ (https://www.amazon.ca/Sport-Black-Atlantic-Caribbean-diaspora/dp/1784994073/)
2 Aug 2024
Episode #12: Dr. Niiyokamigaabaw Deondre Smiles
In this episode, Dr. Niiyokamigaabaw Deondre Smiles discusses his research on Indigenous cultural responses to climate change and on leading the Geographic Indigenous Futures Co-Laboratory (Now Spatial Natives Analyzing Geographies Lab). He talks about the importance of building relationships with Indigenous communities and ensuring that research projects are community-led and non-extractive. Dr. Smiles also addresses the challenges of tokenizing Indigenous knowledge and emphasizes the need for a deep understanding of the multiple Indigenous knowledges and local context. He discusses a project he is working on with a First Nation community to develop mapping software for ecological conservation and marine stewardship, and shares his long-term goal of increasing geographic outreach to young Indigenous students and the growing importance of Indigenous perspectives in addressing climate change and environmental challenges.
https://deondresmiles.com/
15 Jul 2024
Episode #11: Dr. Kevin Hewitt
In this episode, Dr. Kevin Hewitt discusses his journey as a black physicist and his efforts to increase representation of black professionals in STEM fields. He talks about the importance of showcasing hidden figures in science, shares his research on optical diagnostic tools for disease detection, and highlights his work with Imhotep's Legacy Academy, a program that supports youth of African heritage in STEM fields. Dr. Hewitt emphasizes the need for diversity in STEM and how it can lead to innovation and problem-solving in marginalized communities. He also discusses the challenges he has faced, the importance of community support, and his commitment to social justice in academia.
5 Jul 2024
Episode #10: Dr. Debra Thompson
In this episode, Dr. Debra Thompson (McGill University) chats with Nathan and Joe about her research on race and racism in Canada and abroad. She talks about the challenges of studying race in Canada, the history of racial classifications on censuses, and the need for new methodologies to understand racial discrimination. She also discusses the impact of her work in teaching students about racism and how her main focus is societal change rather than seeking recognition in the academic field.
Dr. Thompson's latest book "The Long Road Home" was a finalist for the Hilary Weston Writer's Trust Prize for nonfiction.
(producer's note: Joe's audio stopped working halfway through the interview, so there may be some awkward transitions...)
7 Jun 2024
Episode #8: Dr. Shandin Pete
In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Shandin Pete chats with Joe and Akalya about his background, work, and interests as an Indigenous scientist, and his unique approach of blending geoscientific disciplines with Indigenous methods. Dr. Pete highlights the importance of reclaiming oral traditions, understanding the relationship between Indigenous and Western science, and his excitement for future generations of Indigenous scholars. He emphasizes the value of embracing failure, curiosity, and the ongoing quest for knowledge in academia. Finally, Dr. Pete discusses a future he envisions where science is not limited to distinct categories but is a universal pursuit grounded in human curiosity.
Dr. Pete has his own fantastic podcast, "Tribal Research Specialist": https://open.spotify.com/show/1H5Y1pWYI8N6SYZAaawwxb?si=174552382be543d7
and was recently featured in the documentary "Signal Fire": https://www.signalfirefilm.ca/
7 Jun 2024
Episode #9: Dr. Andy Knight
In this episode, Dr. Andy Knight discusses the importance of decolonizing the university and centering marginalized voices - in particular those of Black scholars - in academic scholarship. He emphasizes the need for normative intent in research and advocates for qualitative methodologies, such as case studies, to understand lived experiences. Dr. Knight also highlights the importance of resilience, activism, and mentorship in promoting representation and equity within the discipline. Ultimately, he calls for a shift towards post-colonial thinking and the inclusion of diverse perspectives in academic scholarship to bring about transformative change in the future.
17 May 2024
Episode #7: Dr. Jennifer Adams
In this episode, Nathan and Joe talk with Dr. Jennifer Adams, whose work in equity and post-secondary STEM education is specifically focused the experiences of racialized learners, and Black learners in particular. Their conversation examines her research methods, the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives in science, and her experiences as a Black scholar in both the United States and Canada (with a bonus mention of Type II fun!). Dr. Adams offers advice for aspiring racialized academics, and emphasizes the significance of finding like-minded individuals, seeking out opportunities for growth and mentorship, and finding community support for navigating the academic space as a racialized scholar.
12 Apr 2024
Episode #6: Dr. Jibran Khokhar
In this episode of the Hidden Figures podcast, Annie and Akalya talk neuroscience with Dr. Jibran Khokhar: his journey in academia, the importance of community in the field, and the need for more inclusivity and diversity in neuroscience. Dr. Khokhar shares his experiences as a first-generation student, the importance of a supportive community, finding joy in the research, and reaching out for mentorship and guidance. He discusses his involvement in advocating for equity, diversity, and inclusion in neuroscience through his work with the Canadian Association for Neuroscience. The conversation highlights the challenges and joys of academia, the need for a collective approach in science, and the importance of building networks and supporting each other in the field.
29 Mar 2024
Episode #5: Dr. Taru Manyanga
In this episode, Dr. Taru Manyanga - a physical therapist and epidemiologist based at UNBC - talks with Joe and Annie about positive disruptions, bold ideas, and the importance of belonging but also being true to yourself. He highlights the value of diversity and the need to challenge biases within academia. In this wide-ranging and animated conversation, Taru advises everyone to show up confidently, knowing that they belong and have important contributions to make.
15 Mar 2024
Episode #4: Dr. Jessie King
Dr. Jessie King (Hadiksm Gaax) talks with Annie and Nathan about her journey into academia, the importance of Indigenous perspectives in research, and the need for more diverse representation in academic spaces. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and creating spaces for underrepresented voices to flourish. She also discusses her teaching approach, which is focused on relationship-building, storytelling, and encouraging students to find meaning and purpose in their work. Overall, she hopes to pave the way for a more inclusive and supportive academic environment for future generations.
29 Feb 2024
Episode #3: Dr. Juliet Daniel
In this episode, Dr. Juliet Daniel discusses her background growing up in Barbados, her motivation to have a global impact, and her research on cancer, particularly focusing on triple negative breast cancer in Black women. She describes the challenges and barriers she faced in academia, the lack of diversity, and the importance of initiatives like the Black Scientists Network. She also shares her perspectives on faith, resilience, and the importance of supporting the next generation of scientists to create a more inclusive and innovative field. Ultimately, she expresses hope for the future of STEM fields but acknowledges the work that still needs to be done to achieve greater representation and recognition.
23 Feb 2024
Episode #2: Dr. Bonny Ibhawoh
Dr. Bonny Ibhawoh is a political historian at McMaster University, where he teaches global human rights history and African history, and is Director of the McMaster Centre for Human Rights and Human Rights. Tune in for a fascinating Hidden Figures conversation on universality, globalism/localism, and privilege.
13 Feb 2024
Episode #1: Welcome!
Meet the Hidden Figures team that shares hosting duties in this quick introductory episode that sets the stage for our upcoming podcasts.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 23 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
22
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
60
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