Galapagoan finches, writing and the body, ethics and epidemics, race and justice — picks that explore where we came from, who we are, and where we can go next…
Correction: Please note that “Improvisation in the Sciences” is taking place on March 10, not March 4 as previously listed.
March 3
6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Zuckerman Institute
In Darwin’s Footsteps: Witnessing the Origin of a New Species in the Galapagos
Pulitzer Prize winner Jonathan Weiner tells of a team of biologists that has been observing the evolution of Darwin’s finches on a desert island in the center of the Galapagos archipelago for more than forty years. Their work throws light on many aspects of the science of life — including the science of the brain. The lecture is part of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Brain Insight Lecture series. Register here. Graduate School of Journalism, Lecture Hall. (Reminder)
March 4
6 p.m.
Columbia University Medical Center
Writing the Body: Discovering the History of Exercise with Bill Hayes
Science writer and memoirist Bill Hayes spent a year studying alongside medical students for his book The Anatomist: A True Story of Gray’s Anatomy and is now at work on a history of exercise. Hayes will discuss his varying approaches to writing about the human body. Refreshments at 5:30 p.m. Russ Berrie Pavilion, Room 1, 1150 St. Nicholas Avenue at West 168th Street.
March 10
6:15 p.m.
Center for Justice | Heyman Center for the Humanities
The Justice Forum: Race and Justice – Past, Present, and Future
This roundtable examines the history of race-based injustices in America, how those practices have informed the criminal justice system today, and what implications they have for the future. Featuring Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad, director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture; Glenn E. Martin, a national leader and criminal justice reform advocate and founder of JustLeadershipUSA; and moderated by the Dean of Social Science and Professor of Sociology and Gender Studies Alondra Nelson. Law School, Jerome Greene Hall, Room 104.
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Center for Jazz Studies
Improvisation in the Sciences
A discussion with Martin Chalfie (biological sciences), George Lewis (music), and Michael Shadlen (neuroscience), and Milind Gajanan Watve about the universality of the two themes in Romare Bearden’s Black Odyssey – art and life as improvisation, and the urge, need, and desire to return home. The discussion will explore how these creative concepts apply to scientific research. Register here. Earl Hall. (Reminder)
March 11
4 – 6 p.m.
The Earth Institute
Ethical Issues in Responding to a Global Disease Crisis – Ebola and Beyond
This seminar, which is part of the Sustainable Development Seminar Series, will explore the current Ebola crisis and generate lessons to guide future responses. With Robert Klitzman, MD, director, Ethics, Policy, and Human Rights Core; Irwin Redlener, MD, director, National Center for Disaster Preparedness and the program on child well-being and resilience; and Jeff Schlegelmilch, MPH, MBA, managing director for strategic planning and operations, National Center for Disaster Preparedness. RSVP required. Alfred J. Lerner Hall, Satow Room.
March 12 – last chance
6 – 8 p.m.
CAA Arts Access | Black Alumni Council (BAC)
Romare Bearden’s A Black Odyssey: Bridging Classical Mythology and African American Culture
A gallery tour and discussion on the exhibition Romare Bearden: A Black Odyssey. Exhibition curator Dr. Robert O’Meally, (English and comparative literature) will be exploring the themes found in A Black Odyssey with Diedra Harris-Kelley, co-director of the Romare Bearden Foundation. Followed by a reception. Purchase tickets here. Wallach Art Gallery, Schermerhorn Hall, 8th Floor.
March 13
7:30 p.m.
Heyman Center for the Humanities
Art Spiegelman and Phillip Johnston: Wordless!
In his Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, Maus, a moving father-son memoir about the Holocaust drawn with cats and mice, Art Spiegelman changed the definition of comics forever. In “Wordless!” — a new hybrid of slides, talk, and musical performance — he probes further into the nature and possibilities of his medium. Spiegelman, a historian and theorist of comics as well as an artist, collaborates with Phillip Johnston, the critically acclaimed jazz composer who wrote all-new scores performed live with his sextet. Purchase tickets here. Miller Theatre. (Reminder)
Highlighted above are campus or NYC events of possible high general interest to alumni, donors, and prospects. This listing is highly selective by design — regrettably, much more is omitted than featured. For RSVP, ticket availability, and other details, follow the links. As always, I appreciate hearing from you about future events!