UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Research Unplugged, the speaker series that brings Penn State researchers into the community for lively public discussions, kicks off its eighth year with six talks this fall. The talks will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesdays, beginning Oct. 12 and concluding Nov. 16, at the Penn State Downtown Theatre in State College.
As always, these events are free and open to all, with complimentary light refreshments.
"The fall line-up has something for everyone, with timely topics and speakers from a variety of academic disciplines," said Melissa Beattie-Moss, coordinator of the Research Unplugged series, which is sponsored by the office of the Vice President for Research and the office of University Relations. "As always, our aim is not only to pique curiosity about Penn State research, but to facilitate real dialogue between researchers and the public."
Professor of Geosciences Kevin Furlong kicks off the series on Oct. 12 with "Finding Fault: Earthquakes Around the World (Including Where They Shouldn’t Be!)" Furlong has investigated earthquakes from New Zealand to California -- and in Virginia.
On Oct. 19 Jerry Zolten, associate professor of communication arts and sciences at Penn State Altoona, will present "Keep On Truckin’: Reflections on a Longtime Friendship With Cartoonist R. Crumb." Zolten is a longtime friend of artist and musician Robert Crumb, a founder of the underground comix movement.
The series shines a spotlight on student researchers on Oct. 26 with a panel presentation by Schreyer Honors College senior Ce Zhang, recent alumnus Adam Mosa and faculty advisor Stephen Matthews. Their talk, titled "What’s a Tippy Tap? Promoting Hand Hygiene Among Uganda’s Schoolchildren," will examine the award-winning research conducted by the two students.
On Nov. 2 Michael Paul, space systems engineer at the Applied Research Laboratory, will discuss "Lunar Lion: Penn State Enters the Private Sector Race to the Moon." Paul leads the Lunar Lion team, representing the University’s entry in the Google Lunar X Prize competition.
Recent news coverage has raised awareness of a societal problem that can have tragic consequences -- gay and lesbian students being bullied at school. On Nov. 9, Associate Professor of Higher Education Sue Rankin will discuss "Gay on Campus: Creating Safe and Welcoming College Climates for LGBT Students."
Research Unplugged concludes for the semester on Nov. 16 by commemorating this year’s Civil War sesquicentennial. William Blair, director of the University’s Richards Civil War Era Center, will focus on "A State Divided: Pennsylvania’s Split Personality During the Civil War."