External Story

Alice Randall, Writer in Residence of African American and Diaspora StudiesAndrew W. Mellon Chair in the Humanities (Vanderbilt University) The true origins of country music contain a rich multicultural past. On this episode of the Quantum Potential podcast, Alice Randall, award-winning country music songwriter, New York Times-bestselling novelist,… Read More

What’s it like to be at the epicenter of American politics through 10 presidents? Hear from Lamar Alexander, former Tennessee senator, governor, and U.S. secretary of education, as he talks about his journey and our current political landscape on Quantum Potential podcast. Read More

Eleven of Vanderbilt University’s most promising recently tenured faculty have been awarded spots in the 2026 Chancellor Faculty Fellows program. This year’s recipients demonstrate exceptional and innovative scholarly achievement. “These scholars represent the next generation of academic leaders, advancing the bold ideas and transformative research that are strengthening Vanderbilt’s… Read More

We all love to talk. But is language just a tool we use to communicate—or is it something more powerful? How does it impact democracy, identity and access? In this episode of the Quantum Potential podcast, Akshya Saxena, associate professor of English at Vanderbilt, and Provost C. Cybele Raver dig into the fascinating and layered history—and future—of language. Read More

How can democratic societies endure, and even flourish, amid deep disagreement? Get ready for a fascinating and timely episode of the Quantum Potential podcast with political scientist and philosophy professor Dr. Robert Talisse and Provost C. Cybele Raver. Read More

Gentle caress, searing burn, jolting shock. All these are possible with the elemental power of touch. Read how Shan Meltzer studies touch from the cellular level through the nervous system to the brain, to find better ways to treat pain and physical injuries. Read More

What does the future of AI and robotics look like in our daily lives and as a career field? In a special episode of Quantum Potential, Provost C. Cybele Raver talks with Matthew Johnson-Roberson, the inaugural dean of the College of Connected Computing, about the accelerating evolution of AI and robotics. Read More

RESEARCH SPARK: AI is becoming a common tool for Human Resources departments. Learn from new faculty Salvatore Falletta about the ethical lines between creepy AI analytics creative decision making. Read More

RESEARCH SPARK: Learn a key tool new faculty leader Kristina Thomas Dreifuerst is using to prepare the next generation of nurses. Read More

RESEARCH SPARK: Get to know Shekhar Bhansali, new head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and his vision for AI engineering education. Read More