Sharing the Academy, One Podcast at a Time
Economics and International Development Studies professor Dr. Haroon Akram-Lodhi makes course lectures available as podcasts for all
When Dr. Haroon Akram-Lodhi was considering how to bring his course content online for the Fall 2021 academic term, he knew he wanted to create something that would not only engage students, but could also allow him to share his knowledge and expertise with a broader audience. This goal led to the creation of a new podcast series for four of his courses: Peasants, Food and Agrarian Change, Issues in Global Inequality, The World Food System, and Human Inequality in Global Perspective.
“This year I made the decision to opt for podcasts as a way to share lecture content,” explained Professor Akram-Lodhi. “Listening can capture more attention than a video recording alone, especially for this generation of students.”
While the podcasts are available for anyone to listen through voicEd Radio, Prof. Akram-Lodhi’s courses are also supplemented with required readings, seminars via Zoom, and assignments for students.
“Prof. Akram-Lodhi made class more adaptable for our COVID-19 life,” shared Vandana Narine, a fourth-year Economics and International Development Studies student who took Prof. Akram-Lodhi’s World Food Systems course in the fall. “I would take my dog to the dog park or on a hike and listen to the podcast. For me, moving while learning is helpful.”
Bringing four courses worth of lecture content online is no small feat, but is something Prof. Akram-Lodhi believes has been well worth the added work, not only for his students, but for anyone with an interest in international development.
“The podcasts have had listeners from all over the world including Australia, India, Nepal, the UK, and Mexico,” shared Prof. Akram-Lodhi. “I was even asked by a professor at Leeds University in the UK if his students could listen to it, to which I said, of course yes. I do not view my teaching or research as my intellectual property. Knowledge is for everyone, so why not make your resources available to everyone?”
Listen to Prof. Akram-Lodhi’s course lecture podcasts:
- Peasants, Food and Agrarian Change
- Issues in Global Inequality
- The World Food System
- Human Inequality in Global Perspective
Learn more about International Development Studies at Trent. Applications for fall 2021 are currently open.