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Is a global crisis of spirituality contributing to our failure to act on climate change? Are we, as human beings, facing a crisis of meaning? How can we cultivate gratitude for the world we inhabit? These urgent questions lie at the intersection of science, philosophy and theology - and research exists to shed light on how we can address them.  

In this episode of “De la recherche à l'impact,” host Josiane Blanc welcomes Xavier Gravend-Tirole, 2008 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar and Assistant Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at the Université de Montréal. From hitchhiking across Canada, to spending time with Christian yogis in India, to working on his doctorate in Switzerland, Xavier has traveled the world to study spirituality. He shares his rich experience and infectious passion for subjects such as religion, eco-spirituality and the quest for meaning.

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Also available on Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts.

How do the unseen gender norms, religion, and community shape the success of entrepreneurs, particularly those from marginalized groups? In a world that often celebrates the solo entrepreneur, the reality is that entrepreneurship is deeply embedded in social contexts that can either empower or hinder growth. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for fostering inclusive economic progress globally.  

In this episode of From Research to Impact, Dr. Kylie Heales, a 2021 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar and Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at Miami University’s Farmer School of Business, explores the intricate relationships between social norms, institutions, and entrepreneurship. Her research, spanning contexts from Tunisia to Haiti, reveals how cultural expectations influence entrepreneurial behavior and outcomes, particularly for women. By unpacking these dynamics, she uncovers pathways to foster true entrepreneurship success in even the most resource-scarce environments.  

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Also available on Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts.

Canada has one of the best justice systems in the world. According to the World Justice Project's annual Rule of Law Index, the country ranks 12th worldwide for its respect for human rights, access to justice, prevention of corruption and protection of fundamental freedoms. But how can we go even further? What measures should we consider to make our justice system more efficient, more inclusive and more accessible to everyone, everywhere in Canada?

In this episode of “De la recherche à l'impact,” host Josiane Blanc talks to Jérémy Boulanger-Bonnelly, 2020 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar and Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law, McGill University. Together, they discuss the challenges of harmonizing the law in a complex federal system, the reforms needed for fairer justice, and the impact of Jérémy's research on foreign legal systems — work that has profoundly transformed his vision of justice in Canada. Jérémy shares a committed vision of the law: a tool rooted in social realities, at the service of citizens, and a source of renewal for the fabric of society.

Listen now (available in French only)!

Also available on Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts.

How do technologies shape the stories we tell? How do they influence the daily lives we share? Digital platforms and generative AI now play a big role in journalism. They affect how news is created and shared. This interplay raises critical questions about who controls these systems. It also impacts how communities connect and discuss shared issues. Understanding this dynamic is important to ensuring the media serves the public good and to help maintain open, inclusive dialogue in our society.

In this episode of “From Research to Impact,” The Walrus Lab team talks with Dr. Mike Ananny. He is a 2006 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation scholar. He is also an associate professor of Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California. Mike’s research dives into how digital infrastructures, algorithms, and AI shape journalism. He explores how these tools affect our daily lives. He also examines ways to make them better serve public interests. From designing tech-enhanced toys to advising on CBC/Radio-Canada’s future, Mike offers a unique view. He highlights the power and responsibility of those building media technologies.

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Also available on Amazon Music & Apple Podcasts.

The justice system often relies on well-established practices. But are these practices rooted in punishment or rehabilitation? And more importantly, should we rethink them to promote a more humane, reflective form of justice that’s better suited to real-world conditions?

In this episode of "De la recherche à l'impact," host Josiane Blanc speaks with Coline Moreau, a 2022 Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar and PhD candidate in Criminology at the University of Ottawa. Together, they examine the shortcomings of the current justice system and explore potential reforms aimed at building a more humane justice system—one that centres on freedom and fundamental rights. Coline invites us to deeply reconsider the very notion of punishment by asking a fundamental question: What does it mean to punish in criminal law?

Throughout their conversation, we learn about the findings of Coline’s research, based on in-depth interviews that reveal judges who are uncertain, sometimes resistant, but often drawn to a more reflective approach. Josiane and Coline also discuss how academic research can have a tangible impact—far beyond publications—by fostering genuine dialogue between academia and the justice system.

Note: Canada uses both common law and civil law systems, with Quebec being the only province that applies civil law exclusively.

Listen now (in French only)!

Also available on Amazon Music & Apple Podcasts.

There is power in the pen — and that’s a power that everyone with a platform must learn to wield responsibly. In regions where the radio is still the main media format, grassroots journalism becomes a force to be reckoned with. Moved one way, it can instigate conflict and inflame a region to war. But used correctly, ethical journalism can become a powerful force for peace, a bulwark against misinformation, polarization, and othering.

In this episode of From Research to Impact, host Ann-Elisabeth Samson talks with Dr. William Tayeebwa. Dr. Tayeebwa’s research draws on the body of work written by giants of peace journalism — Johan Galtung, Jake Lynch, Annabel McGoldrick, and Ross Howard — to create courses that promote ethical journalism within war-torn regions of Africa. Far from being an academic locked away in a university, he performs fieldwork that has reduced violence while elevating the standards of media giants in the country. 

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Also available on Amazon Music & Apple Podcasts.