The UVA Wise Lecture Committee is sponsoring a three-month long faculty colloquium series featuring academic research, publications and new projects.
“The series offers faculty the opportunity to highlight their publications, research that is forthcoming, or projects that are underway,” Lecture Series Chair and John Morton Beaty Endowed Chair in Political Science Heather Evans said.
The series will run from February through April, featuring a wide range of academic disciplines—chemistry, education, communication, Spanish, computer science and music. The lectures will provide other faculty an opportunity to learn about what colleagues are working on across the disciplines, find ways to collaborate with one another, and build community, Evans said.
“The lecture series also offers the Southwest Virginia community a peek into the research, projects and academic scholarship being done right here at home in Wise,” Evans said.
Last fall, the lecture committee reached out to all academic departments offering the chance for professors to share their work, but only could accommodate a few for this semester.
“If the interest is high, we want to continue this next year and expand the opportunity to more departments to present faculty work and accomplishments,” Evans said.
Pursuant to the College’s policy, masks or face coverings are required to attend any indoor events on campus.
Once Covid protocols allow, The Twinleaf Society will host receptions after the lectures.
“We are delighted the Twinleaf Society has agreed to host receptions and we look forward to enjoying refreshments with those in attendance,” Valerie Lawson, Vice Chancellor of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, said.
All lectures will be held at the College’s Dogwood Room at 4 p.m. on the following dates:
Feb. 10: Associate Professor of Chemistry Tegan Makal who is the Van W. Daniel, III Endowed Professor in Chemistry presents her lecture: "Defects in metal-organic frameworks: Designing materials for water remediation and antimicrobial applications."
February 23: Assistant Professor of Communication Julia Weiss presents her lecture: "The COVID-19 Vaccine for Children: A Profile of Parents and Recommendations to Reach the Vaccine Hesitant or Resistant."
March 10: Assistant Professor of Computer Science Hezekiah Babatunde presents his lecture: “Data Science and Machine Learning: ‘What is Deep about Deep Learning?’”
March 30: Assistant Professor of Spanish Veronica Rodriguez
April 14: Education Department Chair, Associate Professor of Education and Teacher Education Director Paul A. “Andy” Cox
April 27: Assistant Professor of Music Peter Ryan
More information about each lecture will be posted closer to the event date on the College’s website calendar which is viewable at uvawise.edu/events.