interview

Interviews with educators, innovative graduate students and individuals who've devoted their lives to the development of the world's youth.

Mariia Harkusha-Melchenko on Gene Editing, Evolution, and Science Communication in Ukraine
Mariia Harkusha-Omelchenko is a Ukrainian molecular biologist and scientific staff member at YURiA-PHARM’s YP Biotech scientific center, where she works in bioengineering. Her interests began with gene editing, which she compares to text editing because small changes can transform larger systems. She previously conducted master’s research in Vienna on tumour immunology, oral carcinoma patients, and murine models before returning to Ukraine to work in biotechnology, molecular biology, and genetic engineering.
By Scott Douglas Jacobsen6 months ago in Education
The future of our ability to think assertively Part 2
If we want students to stay mentally assertive in an age of powerful AI tools, then schools, lyceums, and universities need to rethink how these tools are used. The goal shouldn’t be to ban AI or to let it run wild, but to integrate it in a way that strengthens thinking rather than replacing it. In practice, that means treating AI as a partner in the learning process rather than a machine that does the work for you. A student should still write their own ideas, but they can ask the AI to challenge those ideas, point out weaknesses, or offer alternative perspectives. When AI is used this way, it becomes a tool that sharpens critical thinking instead of dulling it.
By CA'Di LUCE * Confessions & Memories in Conversations with friends!/ It’s not a revolution—it’s a quiet evolution.7 months ago in Education
The future of our ability to think assertively
A growing body of early research suggests we may be outsourcing more of our cognitive effort than we realize — and the consequences could be subtle but significant.
By CA'Di LUCE * Confessions & Memories in Conversations with friends!/ It’s not a revolution—it’s a quiet evolution.7 months ago in Education
Dr. Swiatoslaw Podlewski Uniting Ukrainian Art, History, and Theravāda Buddhist Thought
Dr. Swiatoslaw Podlewski is a Ukrainian artist, art critic, and historian born in 1991 in Chernihiv, Ukraine. Based in Kyiv, he studied fine arts from childhood in his father's studio, Volodymyr Podlewski, before pursuing academic training in history. He holds a Ph.D. in history and has produced research on Ukrainian inscriptions. His visual practice explores abstraction, nature, symbolism, Buddhist thought, and post-Soviet cultural memory through contemporary Ukrainian art.
By Scott Douglas Jacobsen7 months ago in Education
Why Computer Science Graduates Should Think Globally Before Accepting Their First Job. AI-Generated.
There's a moment every computer science graduate hits that uncomfortable pause between finishing a degree and figuring out what comes next. For most, the instinct is to look locally. Apply to the nearest companies. Hope someone in the same city needs a junior developer. And there's nothing wrong with that instinct. But it might be costing new graduates the most transformative career experiences available today.
By Thescalers7 months ago in Education
Anna Chernenko and Volodymyr Pavlov on War Reporting: Frontline Journalism in Kharkiv
By Scott Douglas Jacobsen and Volodymyr Pavlov (Translator, English-Ukrainian) Anna Chernenko is a Ukrainian journalist working in Kharkiv, reporting on wartime conditions, media transformations, and civilian life under threat. She has documented the shrinking journalism sector, risks faced by reporters, and evolving safety practices. Her work reflects the human and professional impact of sustained conflict on Ukraine’s media landscape.
By Scott Douglas Jacobsen7 months ago in Education
Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamonds
Diamonds have long been seen as symbols of love, wealth, and timeless beauty. But today, buyers have more choices than ever—especially with the rise of lab-grown diamonds. If you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between lab-made and natural diamonds (and whether one is “better”), you’re not alone.
By AnthonyBTV7 months ago in Education
Maksym Sytnikov on PEN Ukraine, Writer Fellowships, and Cultural Resistance During War
Maksym Sytnikov is the executive director of PEN Ukraine and previously served as its human rights manager after joining the organization in 2021. He helps lead a cultural and human rights institution reshaped by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. His work includes literary volunteering trips, support for damaged libraries, fellowship programs for writers, and partnerships across the PEN network. He has also overseen efforts to document wartime losses among Ukraine's cultural figures.
By Scott Douglas Jacobsen7 months ago in Education
Kostiantyn Davidenko on Ukrainian Civilian Captivity, Reintegration, and Russian Detention Abuses
Kostiantyn Davidenko is a Ukrainian public advocate working on support for civilians and others affected by Russian captivity. He speaks about post-liberation needs, detention conditions, family trauma, reintegration, legal documentation, and international accountability. His work emphasizes psychological care, housing, rehabilitation, and practical assistance for former detainees and their relatives. He also highlights the importance of documenting abuses, supporting families still waiting for loved ones, and strengthening international awareness and cooperation on these issues today globally.
By Scott Douglas Jacobsen7 months ago in Education
The silence advantage: How to win in sales, negotiation, and any room that matters
There is a version of the 80/20 rule that everyone knows. Twenty percent of the people in any high stakes room, whether they are closing a sale, negotiating a deal, or raising capital, walk away with 80 percent of the outcome. The usual explanation is technique, preparation, experience. All true. All secondary.
By Andrea Zanon7 months ago in Education
How a “Weakness” Created the World’s Most Loved Comedian
How a “Weakness” Created the World’s Most Loved Comedian What do you think is the most important thing for comedy? Confidence? A great sense of humor? Perfect dialogue delivery?
By Behind The Fame7 months ago in Education
The Hidden Reason So Many Candidates Fail One-Way Video Interviews. AI-Generated.
Most people think interview failure comes down to one thing: not being qualified enough. But that is often not what happens in one-way video interviews.
By Luca Ardito7 months ago in Education