Research Unplugged begins a new season of conversation and discussion in October on the University Park campus. The series is based on Cafe Scientifique, a university-town phenomenon that began a few years ago in the United Kingdom. The concept is to create an informal forum, open to all, for exploring ideas, to foster public dialogue and energize conversations about issues that matter. Participants will gather at noon on Wednesdays in the gallery of the Penn State Downtown Theatre. A Penn State faculty member will introduce the week's topic with a 10- to 15-minute talk and then open the floor to questions and discussion. This event is free to the public.
The 2004 fall schedule follows:
-- Oct. 6: "Is biography fiction or fact?," a conversation with Pat Shipman, adjunct professor of anthropology;
-- Oct. 13: "Is it ever too late to learn a second language?," a conversation with Jim Lantolf, professor of applied linguistics and Spanish;
-- Oct. 20: "Progress without pollution," a conversation with Brian Dempsey, professor of civil engineering;
-- Oct. 27: "Are we really 'rocking the vote?' Getting young people to the polls in 2004," a conversation with Eric Plutzer, associate professor of political science and sociology;
-- Nov. 3: "The promise of genetics: Feeding the world and living forever?," a conversation with Ken Weiss, Evan Pugh professor of anthropology; and
-- Nov. 10: "Nanotechnology: Issues and obstacles," a conversation with Akhlesh Lakhtakia, distinguished professor of engineering science and mechanics.
Research Unplugged is an outreach program sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research. Visit http://www.rps.psu.edu for more information.