Faculty and Staff Notes

Professor of Economics Ron Cheung was invited back to the Alex Trebek studio to compete in the Jeopardy! Season 39 Champions Wildcard. In this two-week tournament, Cheung and 26 other former champs compete for a spot in the Tournament of Champions. Cheung won his quarterfinal match, which aired Monday, January 22.

Assistant Dean and Director of International Student and Scholar Services Josh Whitson was granted a Fulbright International Education Administrators Award to travel to Taiwan and participate in a two-week group seminar with representatives from universities, private sector agencies and organizations, and selected government agencies in March.

Professor of Politics Stephen Crowley’s article “In Russia, Clear Signs of War Fatigue” appeared in The Nation.

Associate Professor of Comparative Literature and Italian Stiliana Milkova coedited the volume Natalia Ginzburg’s Global Legacies, which will be published this spring by Palgrave. Milkova coauthored the volume’s introduction, authored a book chapter, and translated from Italian another chapter. This is the first major scholarly book in English on Ginzburg in more than 20 years.

Associate Professor of Anthropology Amy Margaris and second-year student Isabel Handa published the joint essay “When the Ancestors Call to You” on the American Alliance of Museums’ Center for the Future of Museums blog. The essay reflects on their recent experience repatriating the skull of a Native Hawaiian kupuna (ancestor) that had been in Oberlin’s possession for a century and a half. Their piece addresses historical trauma associated with historic teaching collections, welcoming both Indigenous and Western forms of knowledge in the academy, and advice to other Indigenous individuals and collections stewards for successful collaboration.

Professor of Psychology Nancy Darling was interviewed about parenting and parenting style on NPR’s Connection podcast with Marty Moss-Coane. She discussed best parenting practices in developmental, cultural, and historical contexts.

Associate Professor of Creative Writing Emily Barton publishes her review of Maria Hummel’s new novel, Goldenseal, in The New York Times Book Review.

Assistant Professor of German Jessica Resvick organized two panels at the Modern Language Association Annual Convention on the theme of “Photography by Other Means.” Papers explored how photographic and para-photographic techniques were deployed in German and Germanophone literature, art, media, and science of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Professor of Politics Stephen Crowley was interviewed by the BBC World Service about how the war is affecting Russia's economy.

STEM Librarian and Head of the Science Library Eboni Johnson was elected on January 2, 2024, as the new President of Oberlin City Council. Her dedication to education and community service promises a bright future for the city.