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 Two: Knowledge leaders and the future of social science
Episode 1:
Benjamin Storey (PhD’05, Social Thought) and Jenna Silber Storey (PhD’10, Social Thought)
Benjamin Storey and Jenna Silber Storey are both senior fellows in the Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies department at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where they concentrate on political philosophy, civil society, classical schools, and higher education, and organize a conference series on the future of the American university. They are concurrently Research Fellows at the University of Texas at Austin, and Tocqueville Scholars at Furman University.
Together, they co-authored Why We Are Restless: On the Modern Quest for Contentment (Princeton University Press, 2021). They are currently working on a book about liberal education and civic life.
Listen to Ben and Jenna’s interview or read Ben and Jenna's full transcript.
Episode 2:
Wendy Edelberg (MBA’97, PhD’03, Economics) is a senior fellow in Economic Studies at the Brookings Institution. She served as director of The Hamilton Project at Brookings from 2020 to March 2025. She is also a principal at WestExec Advisors.
She joined Brookings after more than fifteen years in the public sector. Most recently, she was chief economist at the Congressional Budget Office. Prior to working at CBO, Edelberg was the executive director of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, which released its report on the causes of the financial crisis in January 2011. Previously, she worked on issues related to macroeconomics, housing, and consumer spending at the President’s Council of Economic Advisers during two administrations. Before that, she worked on those same issues at the Federal Reserve Board. In 2022, Edelberg was appointed as a co-chair of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Climate and Macroeconomics Roundtable.
Edelberg is a macroeconomist whose research has spanned a wide range of topics, from household spending and saving decisions, to the economic effects of fiscal policy, to systemic risks in the financial system. In addition, at CBO and the Federal Reserve Board, she worked on forecasting the macroeconomy. Edelberg received a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Chicago, an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. from Columbia University.
Listen to Wendy's episode or read Wendy's full transcript.
Episode 3:
Marc Hernandez, PhD’09 (Psychology), AM’02 (MAPSS), AB’00
Marc Hernandez is Associate Director of The Bridge at NORC, a program that connects NORC researchers with those at top-tier schools and serves as a bridge between researchers and on-the-ground practitioners. An applied developmental psychologist, Hernandez has expertise in cognitive development and early childhood and elementary education. He is a member of the Getting on Track Early for School Success project, leads the Kindergarten Readiness Indicator (KRI) project, co-principal investigator of NORC's independent evaluation of the Oakland Promise, and works closely with foundations such as the Kenneth Rainin Foundation in Oakland, CA. Hernandez earned his PhD from the Department of Psychology in 2009, his MA from MAPSS in 2002, and his BA from The College in 2000.
Listen to Marc's episode or read Marc's full transcript.
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 Stephen's 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 Luke's 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.
Listen to Anna’s interview or read Anna's full transcript.
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.
Listen to Rupal's interview or read Rupal's full transcript.
Episode 5:
Theresa Mah, Ph'D'99 (History) is the Illinois State Representative for the 24th House District (previously the 2nd District priot to 2021). In 2016 she made history as the first Asian American elected to the Illinois General Assembly. Prior to her election, Dr. Mah worked with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn's administration on efforts to improve diversity and minority representation in state government.
Rep. Mah earned her BA from Berkeley and her PhD in History from the University of Chicago in 1999. After graduating, she was an Assistant Professor at Bowling Green State University until she returned to Chicago to pursue politics, advocacy, and activism.
Listen to Theresa's interview or read Theresa's full transcript.
Episode 6:
Mauricio Moura, MA'03 (MAPSS) is the founder, CEO, and chairman of the board of IDEIA, a market research consultancy firm based in Brazil. He is also co-founder of the Zaftra Fund, as well as board member and visiting researcher at the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management.
Moura earned his BA in Economics from the University of São Paulo, going on to earn his MA from the University of Chicago MAPSS program in 2003. He then pursued an MA in Political Management from George Washington University as well as a PhD in Economics and Politics from Fundação Getulio Vargas.
Listen to Mauricio's interview or read Mauricio's full transcript.