Research

Research Unplugged kicks off its seventh year on Oct. 14

Research Unplugged begins its 13th season at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 14, in the gallery of the Penn State Downtown Theatre on Allen Street in State College.

The series, created by the University's Office of the Senior Vice President for Research, brings researchers into a casual forum open to the entire community to discuss their field in plain language, with an emphasis on inclusive conversation.

Research Unplugged is one of the longest running science cafes in the United States and is based on the European Cafe Scientifique movement, which seeks to foster public dialogue about science and make research accessible and relevant to everyone. The afternoon begins with a brief introduction of the topic, followed by an open floor for questions, comments and discussion.

As in past seasons, this fall features a variety of topics:

On Oct. 14, Michael J. Murray, assistant professor of psychiatry, will deliver a talk titled "Autism: A Psychiatrist’s Personal and Professional Journey in Understanding the Spectrum."

On Oct. 21, Michael Hogan, professor of rhetoric and co-director of the Center for Democratic Deliberation will deliver a talk titled “Deliberation or Disruption? Lessons from the Town Hall Meetings on Health Care Reform."

Gabeba Baderoon, poet and assistant professor of women’s studies and African and African-American studies, will lead the next week’s discussion on Oct. 28. The topic will be “Islam in Africa: How Gender, Race and Slavery Shaped Muslim Life in South Africa.”

On Nov. 11, there will be a discussion and demonstration titled “Broadway or Bust: What the Pros Know about Musical Theatre” with Mary Saunders-Barton, associate professor of music and head of Voice for Musical Theatre.

To cap off our fall season, S. Shyam Sundar, professor of communications, will lead a conversation on Nov. 18 titled, “Tweeting, Digging, Blogging: Communication in the Age of Interactivity.”

The schedule appears online at http://www.rps.psu.edu/unplugged/ along with archives of past seasons’ events.
 

Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

Last Updated January 9, 2015