THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
Dialogo Podcast
Alumni of the Division of the Social Sciences are characterized by Chicago’s deep commitment to scientific analysis, methodological innovation, and the use of theory to extend the explanatory and predictive power of social research. Whether an MA or PhD graduate (or both), each takes those values into careers in the academy and in a broad range of sectors including banking and finance, technology, and social technology, consulting and market research, health fields, and government/policymaking, among others.
SSD’s Dialogo podcast brings alumni into conversation with Paul Poast, Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and Deputy Dean for Doctoral Education, and Kelly Pollock, Dean of Students. Each season will feature alumni with careers in a particular field or industry.
Season One: Politics and Policy
Episode 1:
Stephen Richer, MA'08, JD'15, is the elected (Republican) Maricopa County Recorder and oversees public recordation, voter registration, and early voting in Maricopa County, Arizona. He was named “Arizonan of the Year” in 2021 by The Arizona Republic, “Republican Politician of the Year” in 2022 by Phoenix New Times, “Government Leader of the Year” in 2023 by The Arizona Capitol Times, and “Democracy Defender,” in 2024 by Time Magazine.
Stephen received his B.A. from Tulane University, and his M.A. and J.D. from the University of Chicago. He has previously worked as an attorney and businessman.
Listen to Stephen’s interview or read the full transcript.
Episode 2:
Luke Charters, MA'17, is the Labour Member of Parliament for York Outer, elected in the July 2024 general election. Prior to his poltiical career, Charters worked at the Bank of England as well as the Financial Conduct Authority, focusing on fraud, before serving as a Senior Manager of Compliance at Remote, a payroll and HR services company.
Charters earned his BA from Oxford University and his MA from the University of Chicago MAPSS program in 2017.
Listen to Luke's interview or read the full transcript.
Episode 3:
Anna Paulson, PhD'94 (Economics), Executive Vice President, Director of Research and Executive Committee Member at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, joins our hosts to discuss the career freedom a degree in economics presented her as a student, and her move from academia to policy. The views expressed are Paulson's and not necessarily those of the Federal Reserve System or the FOMC.
Episode 4:
Rupal Patel, MA'05 (CIR), is a 2x CEO, corporate adviser, international speaker, and author of 'From CIA to CEO: Unconventional Life Lessons for Thinking Bigger, Leading Better, and Being Bolder.' Prior to her private-sector career, Patel worked as an intelligence analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), a position she entered after completing her degree in the Committee on International Relations (CIR) program. Patel earned her BA from Columbia University, her MA in International Relations from CIR in 2005, and her MBA from the London Business School.