U.S. Embassy NZ: Mission Waves

What do a great pie and a career in science have in common? Paleontologist Julia Clarke, that’s what. As part of the U.S. Embassy Speaker Program, Professor Julia Clarke - one of the world’s top experts on bird evolution and vertebrate paleontology - visited Aotearoa New Zealand to connect with local scientists, students, and conservationists. Julia is a professor at The University of Texas at Austin, has led expeditions on multiple continents, and her work has been featured in Nature, National Geographic, and Science Friday. In this episode, Mike chats with Julia about the evolutionary mysteries of flightless birds like the kiwi and moa, what fossils tell us about resilience, and how science diplomacy builds bridges.  And yes, Mike drops the pie question as an analogy:What gives you comfort and satisfaction in your work?Julia’s answer? Listen to find out!  Science, laughs, and a side of pastry, served fresh from the US Embassy NZ.

In this episode, Dr. Todd Belt, Director of the Political Management Program at The George Washington University, discusses the key challenges and opportunities in modern political campaigns. From the rise of misinformation to navigating the 2024 U.S. election, Dr. Belt offers insights into the evolving political landscape, the skills future leaders need, and his reflections on New Zealand’s political system. Perfect for anyone interested in politics, media, and leadership in a rapidly changing world.

In this episode, Mike from the US Embassy sits down with AI experts Jessica Zosa Forde and James Pavur to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, policy, and ethics. They dive into topics such as AI's role in preserving indigenous languages, the ethical challenges of large language models, and the importance of data sovereignty for indigenous communities. Their insights from their recent visit to New Zealand offer a unique perspective on the future of AI and its global impact.

While in Aotearoa, New Zealand, for the Opportunity Rover replica and "Goodnight Oppy" movie tour, Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Dr. Vandi Verma, a leading space roboticist and chief engineer, sits down with Muna Shikaki from the American Film Showcase. In this episode, Dr. Verma shares her thrilling experiences driving the Opportunity Rover on Mars, the importance of inspiring the next generation of space explorers, and how advancements in rover technology are shaping the future of Mars missions. She also offers insights for young Kiwis looking to break into space tech and highlights the value of teamwork in large-scale space exploration projects.

Mike from the Embassy the privilege of sitting down with John Gastil, Distinguished Professor at Penn State and a leading expert on deliberative democracy. In this insightful episode, Gastil discusses his talk "Democracy 2.0," which he presented at the University of Auckland's symposium on "Reinvigorating and Reinventing Democracy for the 21st Century." Tune in as John explores innovative ways to strengthen democracy and deliberative politics, the concept of mini-publics, social media's impact on democracy, the rise of AI and its effects on democratic systems, and highlights from his book "Hope for Democracy." Don’t miss this engaging conversation!Listen now and join the discussion on the future of democracy.Views in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views or endorsement of the U.S. Government or the U.S. Department of State.