Big Brains: All Episodes

Behind the scenes of policymakers reshaping our society, there are researchers supplying them with answers to our most pressing questions. University of Chicago economist John List is one of those people.

One of the leading scholars on the American presidency gives us insight into the Trump era, the history of impeachment, and the power of the office.

One of the world’s leading economists explains why our communities could hold the answer to many of society’s problems.

A UChicago political science professor explains how the same force that drives conspiracy theories is intensifying political polarization in our country. 

A unbelievable coincidence pushes two transplant doctors to attempt a medical feat no one has ever attempted.

A UChicago paleontologist puts aside dinosaur hunting when he discovers a never-before-seen ancient society.

Developmental biologist Nipam Patel explains the importance of studying organisms and the research happening at the Marine Biological Laboratory.

A computer scientist at UChicago explains how artificial intelligence can break crucial systems and be broken itself.

Eve Ewing explains how race, history and ‘institutional mourning’ intersect in the largest mass public school closing in U.S. history.

Prof. Harold Pollack promotes ‘evidence-based optimism’ to tackle our most complex social issues—from finances to crime to health care.