Amanda McGowan

Producer

The World

Amanda McGowan was a radio producer for The World. Previously, she worked at GBH News in Boston, where she worked on the daily live news show Boston Public Radio and reported features for WGBHNewsorg. 

She has been the recipient of journalism fellowships from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics

Amanda studied history at Harvard and wrote her senior thesis on the cultural significance of nylon stockings. Outside of work, she enjoys oil painting and would be happy to paint your picture.

Team USA Hawaiian surfer Carissa Moore practices for a World Surf League competition at Surf Ranch on Tuesday in Lemoore, California, on  June 15, 2021.

Hawaiians highlight surfing's cultural roots as it makes its Olympic debut

"Surfing to us is just one more thing in the list of things that has been separated from our cultural heritage, our people and our sovereignty," Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā, with the Hawaii Tourism Authority, told The World.

Hawaiians highlight surfing's cultural roots as it makes its Olympic debut
A plate of pasta with green sauces

This artist wants you to take a bite out of art history

This artist wants you to take a bite out of art history
President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, arrive to meet at the Villa la Grange, Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Biden and Putin both place a ‘high priority’ on cybersecurity, says presidential adviser after Geneva summit

Biden and Putin both place a ‘high priority’ on cybersecurity, says presidential adviser after Geneva summit
Person with blue gloves presents a large medal in a yellow and red box

Papers and relics testifying to Stephen Hawking's life's work will be displayed in UK archive

Papers and relics testifying to Stephen Hawking's life's work will be displayed in UK archive
Muslims pray in a mosque during celebrations of Eid al-Fitr holiday, a feast celebrated by Muslims worldwide, in Grozny, Russia, on Thursday, May 13, 2021.

The world celebrates Eid — including some of The World’s listeners

The world celebrates Eid — including some of The World’s listeners
A man is shown in blurred focus walking past a digital sign that says, 'open 7' and glass beneth it with the sign for Gold Spa in the reflection.

Atlanta shootings come in wake of rise in anti-Asian hate crimes

Shootings at three Atlanta-area spas last night left 8 people dead; six of the victims were Asian women. Police believe all shootings were committed by the same person who is in custody. The attacks come as violence against Asian Americans is on the rise nationwide. Dr. Michelle Au is a state senator in Georgia, who stepped off the floor of the chamber floor to speak with us.

Atlanta shootings come in wake of rise in anti-Asian hate crimes
Several young people are show from their neck down and wearing sweatshirts and jeans and many with pink tennis shoes.

An increase in migration: A view from Juárez, Mexico

Along the US-Mexico border, the number of migrants trying to enter the United States is increasing dramatically. Most are being turned away by the US in the name of COVID-19 health precautions. At the same time, the Biden administration is allowing unaccompanied children to enter the United States. Host Marco Werman speaks with Enrique Valenzuela, who works for the state of Chihuahua in Mexico, near the Texas border.

An increase in migration: A view from Juárez, Mexico
Hands fold a sheet of paper

Researchers ‘virtually unlock’ a sealed 17th-century letter

Before password protection or message encryption — or even envelopes — there was something known as “letterlocking" to secure letters from prying eyes.

Researchers ‘virtually unlock’ a sealed 17th-century letter
A man holds a sign that says "zero COVID" wearing a winter jacket and hat outside in front of chancellery in Berlin.

Vaccine envy? There’s a German word for that.

In Germany, the pandemic has ushered in a new crop of vocabulary words like impfneid, the feeling of resentment that other people are getting vaccinated before you.

Vaccine envy? There’s a German word for that.
This Feb. 18, 2021, photo provided by NASA shows the Perseverance rover lowered toward the surface of Mars during its powered descent.

NASA’s first-ever Spanish language broadcast for a planetary landing

Host Carol Hills speaks to NASA aerospace engineer Diana Trujillo, who worked both on the robotic arm of the Perseverance rover and hosted the broadcast.

NASA’s first-ever Spanish language broadcast for a planetary landing
Chien Shiung Wu (bottom, right), then-professor of Columbia University New York, receives an honorary degree along with other recipients at Harvard University on June 14, 1974, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

'First Lady of Physics' Chien-Shiung Wu honored with US postage stamp

On Feb. 11, a new US postage stamp was issued honoring Chien-Shiung Wu, a groundbreaking Chinese American scientist who was unfairly overlooked for years, likely because of her gender.

'First Lady of Physics' Chien-Shiung Wu honored with US postage stamp
A photo of some of the Grandmothers trained by Friendship Bench who provide mental health advice at the Mbare Clinic in Harare Zimbabwe.

In Zimbabwe, a talk therapy program trains 'grandmothers' to lend a supportive ear

Friendship Bench pairs older women with anxious or depressed clients for talk therapy sessions. During the pandemic, the program has adapted its approach to offer mental health services online and in socially distant meetups.

In Zimbabwe, a talk therapy program trains 'grandmothers' to lend a supportive ear
Several women in colorful saris sit and stand with bright yellow drinking vessels in front of a blue and green painted building.

Putting a price on women’s unpaid work in India

Most housework — overwhelmingly performed by women around the world — goes unpaid. A political party in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu is putting forward a bold proposal that could change that.

Putting a price on women’s unpaid work in India
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive at the North Portico of the White House,  Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington, DC.

A post-America world: Biden's challenges begin at home, former diplomat Richard Haass says

Former diplomat Richard Haass wrote recently that a "post-America world" may come sooner than we think — and that it's been hastened by the Jan. 6 riots at the US Capitol.

A post-America world: Biden's challenges begin at home, former diplomat Richard Haass says
People wearing shirts with Proud Boys on them join supporters of President Donald Trump in a march Nov. 14, 2020, in Washington, DC.

Why Canada may designate the Proud Boys a terrorist group

David Hofmann, a professor of sociology at the University of New Brunswick, has studied the rise of white extremism in Canada. He spoke to The World’s host Marco Werman about the rise of right-wing extremism in Canada that is inspired by the US.

Why Canada may designate the Proud Boys a terrorist group