Frank Walker, associate professor in the Department of English, discusses the origin of the word "Affrilachia" and how the use of the word forces the redefinition of a region traditionally described as all-white. Walker noted several key artists and intellectuals from Appalachia to illustrate the region's cultural diversity.

This podcast is a recording of his lecture on May 21st, 2012, at Shanghai University. The session was part of the…

Ron Pen, a professor in the UK School of Music, discussed how Appalachian music unities people and place, and how the styles brought to the region by its immigrant residents combined and generated several new musical genres, such as swing, bluegrass, rockabilly, and contry. Music creates a bond that binds individuals as shared community and creates a society based on values rooted to identiy and place. Pen referenced the visual imagery and landscape of Appalachia to…

Arturo Sandoval, a professor in the College of Fine Arts, discussed representations of beauty and diversity through the work of Appalachian quilt artists. He used the international art quilt competition Quilt National biannual as his main research reference. Quilt National is described as a trendsetter in the fiber art fild and displays the most important and innovative art quilts from around the world. Sandoval's presentation guided attendees through a variety of fiber arts and mixed media quilts. These art quilts take a traditional Appalachian art form and bring it to the world of fine…

At the end of May 2012, a delegation of faculty from the University of Kentucky went to Shanghai University to promote the American Studies Center, a partnership between UK and SHU. Michelle Sizemore facilitated a group discussion between UK and SHU students about cultural difference, identity, and storytelling across cultures. Four faculty members, Mary Anglin,…

Adam Meredith and Luke McAnally, two A&S majors, were part of a small group of students that went to the Clinton Global Initiative meeting in Washington, D.C. last month. The project that earned such recognition is called “Homegrown Kentucky,” a new agricultural initiative in Owsley County, Kentucky. A small-scale farm is being designed and planted next to one of the schools in Owsley County; fruits and vegetables produced in the gardens will provide local, fresh food to…

In April of 2012, Ron Eller delivered the annual Distinguished Professor Lecture. Eller is a professor in the Department of History and has spent more than 40 years teaching and writing about the Appalachian region. His lecture was entitled “Seeking the Good Life in America: Lessons from the Appalachian Past,” and is available in this podcast in its entirety. Opening remarks were given by the Dean of the College of…

Spring is on its way! Gardens will be growing, and fruits and vegetables will be ready to eat - or preserve, pickle, freeze or dry! Lisa Conley is a graduate student in the Department of Sociology, and has been working on a documentary film about home food preservation methods in Appalachia since 2009.

In this podcast, Conley discusses her research for the film, as well as an upcoming event. On April 5th, 2012, Conley will be presenting at the…

Frank X Walker, noted author, poet, and Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky, shares the history of the term "Affrilachia," his thoughts on identity and place, and ways in which Affrilachian poetry continues to reach individuals all over the region.

This podcast was produced by Cheyenne Hohman.

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Carl Nathe recently interviewed one of our own faculty members for his UK at the Half segment, which airs during each UK football game. He spoke with Ann Kingsolver, Director of the UK Appalachian Center and a professor in the Department of Anthropology, about her work in the area. Kingsolver is excited to be part of the Center and the Appalachian Studies Program and is busy exploring ways to become more involved in the community – for the university, faculty, and students. She…

During fall 2010, a panel of A&S alumni described how the University of Kentucky prepared them for their careers.

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