If your New Year’s resolution involved learning something new, diving deeper into the world of research at UCR, or learning about UCR Library resources, we have the perfect podcast for you.

After a successful launch and a busy season of recording in the KUCR 88.3 FM studios, The Reference Desk podcast is ready for your playlists. Hosted by Digital Scholarship Librarian Dr. Jing Han, the series moves UCR research out of the academic journal and into a conversational format that is accessible to everyone.

The project began as an organic collaboration with KUCR Associate Director Elliot Fong. According to Jing, the two quickly realized "how well audio storytelling could highlight research and library work in a more accessible way."

By choosing a podcast format, the library is effectively lowering the barriers to complex information. "The podcast is intentionally conversational," Jing explains. "I spotlight each researcher’s story while asking questions that many listeners are probably already curious about. That approach helps demystify research and makes complex work feel more approachable."

While the library is often associated with its digital and physical collections, The Reference Desk highlights the human expertise and assistance at the UCR Library that fuels academic research success. After interviewing faculty and researchers ranging from music and history to engineering and business, Han noticed a powerful common thread.

"One consistent theme is how much researchers value both the library’s resources, such as databases and collections, and the people behind those services," she says. "Regardless of discipline, nearly everyone highlights the role librarians and library support have played in shaping their research."

For students looking to find their own footing in the world of academia, the podcast serves as a practical roadmap. Each episode is structured to guide listeners through a researcher’s background, the specific library resources or services utilized, and their personal recommendations.

Looking ahead, Jing’s goal is to ensure the podcast is as diverse as the campus itself.

"My hope is for every department, school, and college at UCR to eventually be represented," she says. "I’d like the podcast to continue growing as a platform that reflects the full diversity of research happening on campus while strengthening connections between researchers, students, and the library."