E197: Jon Westfall: Navigating Academic Waters: Insights on Faculty Roles and Challenges

Here at PsychSessions we are saddened to hear of Jerry Rudmann's recent death -- we mourn this tremendous loss, and our hearts go out to his family and his extensive network of friends.  In his honor, we are rebroadcasting his initial PsychSessions interview, which was released as Episode 155 on October 11, 2022.

Explicit lessons: You can use AI to evaluate Instagram photos and determine the smiliest universities. Run an ANOVA to determine who has the happiest universities: US, UK, or Austraila. Discuss cultural differences in what we share online. Implicit knowlege: Anything you share on IG is free game for the data scrapers! Blog Post: https://notawfulandboring.blogspot.com/2023/03/can-we-use-instagram-to-estimate.html Original Data: https://resume.io/blog/the-happiest-schools-in-the-us-uk-and-australia  

Maybe beer snobs just like to get buzzed? An argument can be made from this data, which lets you think about data scrapping and big, big data sets. Blog Post: https://notawfulandboring.blogspot.com/2015/05/scott-janishs-relationship-of-abv-to.html Data Source: https://scottjanish.com/relationship-of-abv-to-beer-scores/

In this episode Garth hosts a conversation with Barney Beins (Ithaca College), Sue Frantz (Highline College), and Ken Keith (University of San Diego). These renowned teachers of psychology delve into the importance of incorporating the history of psychology into education, emphasizing the need to preserve diverse narratives and engage students through innovative teaching methods. They also explore untold stories, such as the contributions of marginalized groups and pioneering individuals, showcasing the wide-reaching impact of psychological research and the necessity to broaden traditional narratives. [The episode's show notes were partly generated by Descript AI.] 

Students love customizable data sets suited to their tastes. Use the Exportify website to generate spreadsheets based on Spotify playlists. These playlists are perfect for ANOVA, correlation, and discussions of operationalization. Blog post: https://notawfulandboring.blogspot.com/2023/11/generate-highly-personalized-music-data.html, Exportify website: https://exportify.net/#playlists Information on Spotify variables: https://rpubs.com/umayarz/BBUS490_Spotify

This data is scary. Not because of missing data points and median splits but because it is about horror movies and how they affect participant pulses! Use this data set to discuss operationalization, scales of measurement, correlation, t-tests, and more. Links: Blog Post: https://notawfulandboring.blogspot.com/2024/04/using-pulse-rates-to-determine-scariest.html Original Data: https://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/features/science-of-scare/

In this episode Eric interviews Jon Westfall from Delta State University in Cleveland, MS. This conversation delves into Jon's transformation from a tech enthusiast to a psychology professor at Delta State University, highlighting the vital role of education in addressing societal challenges. The discussion explores the intersections between psychology and technology, teaching methodologies, and the significance of adapting to students' needs in higher education. Note. Portions of the episode title and show notes were generated by Descript AI.

In this episode Garth interviews Kody Manke-Miller from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. This conversation delves into the transformative power of mentorship in academia through two personal accounts. It highlights the pivotal role mentors play in setting high standards while providing warm support, aiding individuals like Kody in transitioning from first-generation college students to successful academics. The dialogue also explores the challenges, triumphs, and ongoing efforts in research and teaching, underscoring the importance of mentorship in nurturing academic success. Note: Descript AI generated the title and portions of the show notes.

In this sidebar episode Eric and Garth reflect on the "state of the podcast" on March 29, 2023.  We share our hopes, dreams, and aspirations for PsychSessions, looking to the future.

In this episode, Garth interviews Stephen Chew about his new writing project, coming on to Sarah Grison's introductory psychology textbook, Psychology in Your Life (along with Ebony Glover).