In this episode of Abstract we spoke with researchers and education leaders in the MERC region about the recent expansion of the Virginia Literacy Act to include middle schools across the Commonwealth. The conversation centers around a MERC research and policy review focused on this expansion (linked below) and how those findings resonate with efforts in local school divisions. Guests include Kendall Hunt (Education Specialist for Middle School Literacy in Henrico County Public Schools), Candace Bechtold (PhD Student in Curriculum, Culture, and Change at VCU), Val Robnolt (Associate Professor of Teaching and Learning at VCU), and David Naff (MERC Director and Associate Professor of Research, Assessment, and Evaluation at VCU). 

MERC REPORT
Virginia Literacy Act Expansion: Implications for Middle Schools
https://merc.soe.vcu.edu/reports/reports/virginia-literacy-act-expansion-implications-for-middle-schools.html

Virginia Literacy Act Expansion: Implications for Middle Schools

Chris Holman speaks with David Egner, President and CEO, Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference.

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Michigan Business Beat | Mackinac Policy Conference 2025 - David Egner - #MPC25

Chris Holman speaks with Tony Stamas, President and CEO, Midland Business Alliance, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference.

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Michigan Business Beat | Mackinac Policy Conference 2025 - Tony Stamas - #MPC25

Chris Holman speaks with Brian Calley, President and CEO, Small Business Association of Michigan, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference.

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Michigan Business Beat | Mackinac Policy Conference 2025 - Brian Calley - #MPC25

Chris Holman speaks with Garlin Gilchrist II, Lieutenant Governor, State of Michigan, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference.

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Michigan Business Beat | Mackinac Policy Conference 2025 - Garlin Gilchrist II - #MPC25

Chris Holman speaks with Marcie Hillary, Executive Vice President and Chief Experience Officer, NorthStar Pallative Care, and Patrick Miller, President and CEO, NorthStar Pallative Care, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference.

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Michigan Business Beat | Mackinac Policy Conference 2025- Marcie Hillary and Patrick Miller - #MPC25

Chris Holman speaks with Stephen Rapundalo, President & CEO, MichBIO, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference.

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Michigan Business Beat | Mackinac Policy Conference 2025 - Stephen Rapundalo - #MPC25

This week, we are joined by Mehwaesh Islam, Head of Research Policy at Universities UK. UUK is a membership organisation, representing the views of 141 UK universities to influence policy and opinion, coordinate action, and provide insight into universities. Together, we explore the future of UK R&D, in particular the challenges faced by the University sector.

This week's host is Geena Goodwin, Science and Engineering Fast Streamer in the civil service and a volunteer with the Foundation.

Mehwaesh Islam - the future of UK Research and Development

In his role as Minister of Economy and Finance of Greece, Kyriakos Pierrakakis has regularly called for the implementation of recommendations from the Draghi report in order for Europe to become further integrated and unlock the continent’s next phase of growth. In this fireside chat at the IIEA, Minister Pierrakakis discusses what the EU needs to get right in order to unlock new pockets of growth, as well as what the digitalisation of the EU’s economy means for the future.
About the Speaker:

Kyriakos Pierrakakis has served as Minister of Economy and Finance of the Hellenic Republic in Prime Minister Mitsotakis' Cabinet since March 2025 and is a Member of Parliament. Previously, he was Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports (2023-2025), where he initiated a series of reforms of Greece’s education system, most notably establishing a framework for private universities to formally operate in Greece for the first time and banning mobile phones in classrooms. As Minister of Digital Governance (2019-2023), he led Greece’s digital transformation, with the creation of the government portal gov.gr being the most notable initiative and one of the most popular reforms initiated in Greece. He has also served as the chair of the OECD's Global Strategy Group since 2021, a position he was re-appointed to in 2024. Minister Pierrakakis holds degrees from MIT (M.S. Technology and Policy), Harvard Kennedy School (Master in Public Policy), and Athens University of Economics and Business (B.S. Computer Science).

Europe’s Next Phase of Growth: Integration, Innovation, and the Digital Economy

The 2025 OECD Report Reinforcing Rural Resilience reveals that OECD regions have seen a significant loss of forests, with approximately 10% of their forest cover disappearing between 2000 and 2020. This decline is driven by a combination of factors, including land conversion for agriculture, urban expansion, and the increasing demand for natural resources. Some countries and regions have experienced even more severe losses, particularly in areas where deforestation and forest fires have been widespread. This loss of forest cover has profound implications for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and the overall health of ecosystems highlights the changes in forest cover across different OECD countries and regions, providing a snapshot of the environmental challenges faced by rural areas.

To discuss solution-based approaches to this issue, we do not need to necessarily turn to new innovations or technologies, but rather we can look to past wisdom of indigenous knowledge in how to care for nature in a long-sustaining manner. To discuss such approaches, Shayne MacLachlan from the OECD sits down with two impressive scholars, Edson Krenak from Cultural Survival, Brazil and Adwoa Serwaa Ofori, from University College Dublin. This conversation took place at the 2025 OECD Latin American Rural Development Conference, Rural-Urban Connections: Pathways to Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Have a listen.

To learn more, visit OECD Latin American Rural Development Conference and the OECD's work on Rural Development. Find out more about Cultural Survival and Citizen Rural Research Lab.

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COGITO Talks… Roots of Wisdom: Indigenous Perspectives for Policy Makers

The Home of Business in Michigan. Get on-demand access to audio programs, articles and resources presented by savvy business leaders and industry experts.

Abstract is the podcast of the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium at Virginia Commonwealth University. We explore issues in public, PK12 education.

Sharing Ideas Shaping Policy. The Institute of International and European Affairs is an independent policy research think-tank based in Dublin.

How can we all help shape better policies for better lives? OECD Podcasts bring you insightful interviews with experts and well-known personalities on such pressing challenges as inequality and inclusive growth, the economy, jobs, the digital transformation, climate change, the environment, education, healthcare, tax, trade, international co-operation, and more.


NOTE: The opinions expressed and arguments employed in the content displayed herein do not necessarily reflect the official views of the OECD, its Member countries, or any stakeholders who have contributed to or participated in any related work.

The Foundation for Science and Technology podcast - exploring issues of science, technology and innovation with experts from government, parliament, industry and the research community.

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