Our 96th episode is our last--at least, for a while. Host Ashby Kinch bids listeners farewell and reminds you of the vital nature of the strange but essential quest to understand the world that is higher education. He invites you to revisit our archive of dozens of compelling conversations--they'll still be here. Thank you for listening to Confluence, where great ideas flow together, and the river is always with us ..read more

In this episode, Confluence talks with Dr. Cory Palmer, a UM professor in his 10th year here. Dr. Palmer has a fascinating background, having spent time in Hungary as an undergraduate. He later returned to the Central European University for his Ph. D., where he tapped into that nation’s distinctive intellectual tradition in mathematics, including the quirky and charismatic figure, Paul Erdos ..read more

This episode of Confluence is the second in a two-part series honoring our graduate student veterans during Veterans Week. Thomas Basolo retired from the military in 2017. In this episode, we discuss his study in social work, his service ethic, and his support for other veterans who are struggling with a variety of issues as they acclimate to civilian life, especially addiction. On Confluence, we are proud to celebrate these veterans who bring their commitment to service, their discipline, and their support of their fellow human beings to their work as graduate students. The world is a better ..read more

This episode of Confluence is our discussion with Ph.D. student Elizabeth Barrs. In a delightful conversation, Barrs shares about her journey to the graduate program after a 20-plus-year career as an army military officer. We also discuss the validation of winning the Richard Drake Writing Award in 2022 for a chapter of her dissertation on aid to Armenia during the infamous genocide. This is the first of a two-part series honoring our graduate student veterans during Veterans Week. On Confluence, we are proud to celebrate these veterans who bring their commitment to service, their discipline ..read more

In this episode, Confluence interviews Michelle Terwilliger, Ph.D. candidate in Forestry and Conservation Sciences at UM. Terwilliger is winner of the P.E.O. award which honors female graduate students making a distinctive contribution to education. In our conversation, Terwilliger discusses her work with Montana EPSCoR where she manages a statewide research program. Terwilliger also describes her love for research, the complexity of infinitely variable human beings, and the community of researchers at UM. This episode is the second in a 3-part series exploring the power of collaborative work ..read more

In Episode 70, Confluence talks with Dr. Elizabeth Metcalf, the Joel Meier Distinguished Professor of Wildland Management and Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs at UM. Dr. Metcalf shares about her past research in recreation conflict, her current work in developing recreation plans with rural Montana communities, and how UM has changed over the past decade. This episode is the third in a 3-part series exploring the power of collaborative work in natural resource conservation and highlighting the role of three dynamic, independent female scholars at UM ..read more

In Episode 66, we hear from Dr. Katie Kane, an associate professor in the English department. Dr. Kane shares about her academic journey, and her recent research on autotheory and petromodernity, as well as her new book project, “Deep North ..read more

This episode of Confluence celebrates Ada Smith, Ph.D. candidate in Forestry and Conservation Sciences at UM. Recently, Smith was announced as a winner of a the P.E.O. award, a national organization that honors a female graduate student making a distinctive contribution to education. Listen in to hear about Smith's previous research on Indigenous food sovereignty with Gitxaala Nation in northern British Columbia and the decolonizing research approach she used, which she has brough into her work here at UM. Now, Smith is working with ranchers in Montana on the challenges of adapting to climate ..read more

Ep. 62: A Conversation with Dr. Jakki Mohr on Natural Capital by University of Montana Graduate School ..read more

In Episode 64 of Confluence, we hear from Simon Buzzard, a student in the environmental studies department. Simon shares about his research and hands-on experience with conservation, and how he enjoyed creating his own course of study to fulfill his academic interests and needs ..read more