Past Events

Nov 19, 2014 | Is Bamboo the Next Green Gold?

One of the fastest growing plants in the world; bamboo has emerged as a silver bullet for sustainable design and architecture. However, bamboo also has long been used in artisanal construction in Asia and South America, where it is part of important ecological and cultural systems. Can bamboo satisfy all its lovers or – like sugarcane for ethanol – will it become the next green gold? Darrel DeBoer, Jennifer M. Jacobs and Rudolf von May will examine this significant problem, while focusing on tropical bamboo as an emerging case study. Continue Reading Nov 19, 2014 | Is Bamboo the Next Green Gold?

May 28, 2014 | Preventing Cervical Cancer in Nicaragua

Can vaccines and screens be means of solidarity? Kaye Edwards (Assoc Prof, Haverford) will talk about why cervical cancer, which is largely preventable, remains the most common cancer among women in impoverished countries like Nicaragua. Her talk will cover the natural history of this disease to highlight potential points of intervention; the social, political and economic factors that help explain why cervical cancer mortality rates are up to 12-times higher in some countries than in the United States; and the larger issue of the need for community engagement in discussions about how to prevent and treat diseases. Continue Reading May 28, 2014 | Preventing Cervical Cancer in Nicaragua

May 14, 2014 | Broadening Participation in Science and Engineering: Social and Intellectual Diversity

Panel discussion about how cultural values shape what research questions are asked and how research is conducted, examining how research questions change depending on who is asking them, complex relations between research agendas and the socio-cultural identities of scientists, and the importance of diversity within STEM fields. Panelists: Faye Crosby (Distinguished Professor Psychology, UCSC), , Barbara Gee (Vice President of Programs for ABI), Joan Haran, (Research Fellow, Cesagene, Cardiff Centre for Ethical and Social Aspects of Genomics & Epigenetics) and Melissa Jurica (Associate Professor, MCD Biology, UCSC). Moderated by Ruth Müller (University of Vienna). Continue Reading May 14, 2014 | Broadening Participation in Science and Engineering: Social and Intellectual Diversity

May 08, 2014 | ANTHROPOCENE CONFERENCE: Arts of Living on a Damaged Planet

Can humans and other species continue to inhabit the earth together? Through noticing, describing, and imagining, we renew conversation about life on earth. Full schedule: ANTHROPOCENE: Arts of Living on a Damaged Planet Video documentation of the conference: http://anthropocene.au.dk/arts-of-living-on-a-damaged-planet/ … “Anthropocene: Arts of Living on a Damaged Planet” begins Thursday evening with a talk by acclaimed science fiction author… Continue Reading May 08, 2014 | ANTHROPOCENE CONFERENCE: Arts of Living on a Damaged Planet

May 01, 2014 | Film Screening “FIXED: The Science/Fiction of Human Enhancement”

A film screening event featuring “FIXED: The Science/ Fiction of Human Enhancement,” a new film which challenges old perspectives on disability, technology and the body. Post-screening discussion with Foster Andersen (Founder and President of Santa Cruz non-profit Shared Adventures) , Nancy Chen (UCSC, Prof of Anthropology), and Regan Brashear (LGBT Youth organizer).
Continue Reading May 01, 2014 | Film Screening “FIXED: The Science/Fiction of Human Enhancement”

Apr 23, 2014 | De-Extinction: Building Future Worlds with Extinct Organisms?

De-extinction is the proposed revival or re-creation of extinct species using synthetic biology. This Science and Justice Working Group symposium features panels exploring the de-extinction project and agenda. Panelists include Beth Shapiro (UCSC, EEB), Oliver Ryder (Director of Genetics and Kleberg Chair, San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research), Paul Koch (UCSC Dean of PBS and Prof of Earth & Planetary Sciences), Brian Switek (science writer, National Geographic blogs) and Allen Thompson (Oregon State University, Philosophy). Donna Haraway (Distinguished Professor Emerita, UCSC History of Consciousness Department) provides the closing commentary. Continue Reading Apr 23, 2014 | De-Extinction: Building Future Worlds with Extinct Organisms?