Revisiting the First 12 Episodes of Atelier
As we prepare to resume Atelier after a brief hiatus this August, we’re reflecting on the inspiring conversations we've had since our launch on International Women's Day earlier this year. Produced by the Columbia Global Paris Center, Atelier offers a platform for some of the most inspiring voices from Reid Hall—a unique space where academia intersects with broader cultural and social realms. This podcast series features a rich tapestry of discussions with Columbia professors and former Reid Hall students; Reid Hall Faculty Visitors and Displaced Artists; musicians, climate scientists, curators, authors, and more, delving into topics ranging from art and science to social justice and climate change.
As we look forward to our next episode featuring Alex Halliday, founding dean of the Columbia Climate School, we invite you to revisit these conversations that have shaped our journey so far. Atelier continues to bridge disciplines and borders, bringing the vibrant discussions at Reid Hall to listeners around the world.
The first episode fittingly featured Brunhilde Biebuyck, Director of Reid Hall and the Columbia Global Paris Center, discussing the rich and often surprising history of 4 rue de Chevreuse, which became Reid Hall in 1928. This introduction set the stage for our multidisciplinary podcast: throughout the varying subjects of each episode, Atelier remains anchored by Reid Hall, the place where all our guests meet. For listeners who have never visited Reid Hall, Brune’s insights provide an understanding of its many transformations—from a porcelain factory to a Protestant boys’ school, a girls’ art club…and now, a Columbia University hub that aims to educate and inspire through research, dialogue, and action.
Delving further into Reid Hall's history, we've had the pleasure of interviewing two former students. Anne Atheling, a Barnard graduate, shared her experiences studying abroad at Reid Hall in 1949 and how this sparked her lifelong love of everything French. She encourages young people to embrace travel, emphasizing its impact on independent thinking. Lois Grjebine, another Reid Hall alumna, spoke about how her time there in the early 1950s propelled her into a pioneering career in journalism and women’s rights. Both of these conversations highlight the enduring influence of Reid Hall on its students.
Atelier has also provided a platform to discuss our civic engagement initiatives. Alice Barbe, founder of the Académie des Futurs Leaders, which has been supported by the Paris Center since 2021, shared her journey from co-founding SINGA to becoming an Obama Scholar. Alice emphasized the importance of community in organizing and empowering individuals to effect social change. Juliana Ruhfus joined us to talk about her work with Dart Centre Europe, which provides resources and support for journalists covering traumatic events. Our co-organized events at Reid Hall emphasize the importance of protecting sources and maintaining a safe newsroom environment. In Juliana’s episode, she shares further insights into the Dart Center’s work in Europe.
The Displaced Artists Initiative, co-sponsored by the Columbia Global Paris Center and the Institute for Ideas and Imagination, supports artists who have had to leave their countries due to extreme circumstances. Anna Stavychenko, the first displaced artist resident featured on the podcast, discussed her efforts to preserve Ukrainian musical heritage through the 1991 Project amidst ongoing conflict.
Our podcast also features several Columbia University faculty visitors. Tamara Walker, an Associate Professor of Africana Studies at Barnard College, discussed her book Beyond the Shores: A History of African Americans Abroad, which combines historical exploration with travel memoir. Associate Professor of Medicine Delphine Taylor and Nellie Hermann, former Institute Fellow and Creative Director of Columbia's Program in Narrative Medicine, to discuss the innovative field of narrative medicine and its cross-cultural applications.
Another Institute Fellow, Mohamed Elshahed, shared insights from his interdisciplinary work and storytelling journey. His current book project builds on his previous publication, Cairo Since 1900: An Architectural Guide, and reflects on his extensive experience in curating and critiquing architecture.
Atelier also features politically engaged researchers like Jack Snyder and the late Saleemul Huq. A Bangladeshi-British scientist, Huq discussed the establishment of the 'Loss and Damage Fund' at COP28, a major milestone for which he had advocated throughout his career. Snyder, a Professor of International Relations at Columbia University, explored practical approaches to human rights advocacy from his book Human Rights for Pragmatists.
We explored the creative impact of boredom with Ursula Kwong-Brown and Daniel Erdberg in an episode following their performance at Reid Hall's annual "Nuit de l'Imagination." They introduced their composition, Driftscape, an immersive musical performance designed to create a space for listeners to be present and allow their minds to wander.
