University Seminars

The George Washington University, an urban institution with a profound commitment to benefiting society by connecting academic research and discussion to the worlds of culture, business, science and politics in the nation's capital, presents a University Seminars series that addresses issues of public interest. This series represents the commitment of the University to the importance of the engaged citizen.

The George Washington University Seminars program was established in 1985 to foster sustained discussion of issues that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries among members of the GW faculty and their distinguished counterparts in universities, research centers, federal agencies, international organizations, and private industries throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Only topics that warrant intensive continuing inquiry are approved as organizing themes for the Seminars.

The goal of the Seminars is to connect the research and inquiry activities of the academy with the major institutions of society, thereby ensuring a sharing of information. University Seminars meet periodically during the academic year on the GW campus. The initial nucleus of each Seminar is a group of highly qualified faculty from a range of appropriate departments and schools and select participants from outside the University.

The chair of each Seminar serves as Convener. Distinguished guests are invited to give presentations. The presentations are designed to facilitate discussion that results in a product or process, such as publication, a shift of focus in a graduate program, or a contribution to public policy. Although some seminars are open to students, some, because of the nature of the topics and the desire to engage the participants in a full and frank discussion, are closed to those who are not members of the Seminar. A graduate student is appointed as logistical coordinator and rapporteur for each Seminar.

Persons interested in joining a particular Seminar should contact the Convener or the Office of the Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies and Academic Affairs. Call (202) 994-0514 for further details

2010-2011 Seminars

The American Immigrant Experience  
Convener: Tyler Anbinder, Professor of History

Immigration has always been one of the defining features of American life.  This seminar will explore the immigrant experience, both past and present, from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, considering issues ranging from politics and the law to culture and religion.  Particular attention will be paid to the urban immigrant experience.

Forecasting
Convener: Fred Joutz, Professor of Economics; Tara Sinclair, Assistant Professor of Economics & International Affairs

The current recession has again drawn attention to the importance of forecasting and its role in policymaking. Decisions about monetary and fiscal policy are based on the expected state of the economy several years ahead and, thus, require forecasts about the economic conditions that are likely to prevail then. Similarly, forecasts are involved in estimating government budget deficits and surpluses, in analyzing the economic impact of environmental and energy policies, etc.  Most forecasters failed to predict the severity of the current downturn and are issuing conflicting forecasts about a foreseeable recovery.  This suggests that further research is required to improve forecasting methods and the techniques for evaluating these predictions (so that we can learn from our past mistakes). This research will involve a number of interrelated areas including improvements in the quality of the statistical data, an understanding of the role of forecasts in policymaking, the use and development of new software for forecasting, etc.  The purpose of the University Seminar on Forecasting is to bring together GW faculty and graduate students with national and international academic, government, and private-sector forecasters.  The group will explore collaborative opportunities for research on the diverse topics of forecasting.

GW Mind-Brain Institute
Conveners: John Philbeck, Associate Professor of Psychology; Geralyn Schulz, Professor of Speech and Hearing Science; Tadeeusz Zawidzki, Associate Professor of Philosophy

The GW Mind-Brain Institute (GWMBI), chartered in 2009, is a vibrant, interactive, and highly research-active collection of researchers.  The Institute consists of four clusters:  (1) Mind, Brain & Evolution, (2) Neural Bases of Cognitive Control, Attention, and Spatial Cognition, (3) Neural, Cognitive & Behavioral Studies in Social Learning, Social Cognition & Autism, and (4) Motor Learning and the Neural Bases of Speech.  Each cluster is comprised of investigators from several departments, thus infusing the research efforts with a truly unique, interdisciplinary perspective.

Mathematical and Computational Biology
Conveners: E. Arthur Robinson, Professor of Mathematics; Yongwu Rong, Professor of Mathematics; Chen Zeng, Associate Professor of Physics; Guanyu Wang, Assistant Research Professor of Physics; Yinglei Lai, Assistant Professor of Statistics

The George Washington University Mathematical and Computational Biology Seminar aims to create an environment for faculty from mathematical sciences and faculty from Cpmputational Biology to communicate with each other on their research, to explore collaboration opportunities on inter-disciplinary research, to connect GW with other research institutes and funding agencies in the region, and to increase the reputation of GW as a research resource center in the greater Washington DC region. Since it started in January 2008, the emphasis has primarily been on mathematical biology, but future topics could include, for example, mathematical applications in computer science, finance, and political science. Faculty members, graduate students, as other researchers in and outside GW are all welcome to participate, especially those whose research relates to mathematics. 

Morphology and Morphogenesis in Physical and Biological Systems
Conveners: Xiaofeng Ren, Associate Professor of Mathematics; Frank Baginski, Professor of Mathematics; Susan Gillmor, Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Pattern formation problems arise in many physical and biological systems as orderly outcomes of self-organization principles. Recent advances in singular perturbation theory and asymptotic analysis in applied mathematics has made it possible to study these problems in a mathematically rigorous way. The Applied Mathematics Seminar in the Department of Mathematics offers a thematic program on pattern formation problems during the 09-10 academic year. Topics include morphology problems in complex materials such as block copolymers and morphogenesis problems in cell development.

Museums and Antiquities
Conveners: Kym Rice, Director, Museum Studies Program and Jeffrey Blomster, Assistant Professor of Anthropology

This seminar examines the complex relationship between museums and ancient art from a variety of perspectives. Topics include the history and ethics of collecting ancient art and artifacts in American museums; the role of archaeology in the contemporary illicit antiquities trade; and the development of successful cultural heritage policy.  The seminar will convene a series of workshops at which experts of the complex inter-relationship between museums and antiquities will assist GW faculty and students in becoming current in the literature and current thinking for their area. Ultimately these discussions will help to shape program and departmental policy and curriculum to address the multiple perspectives and ethical issues raised by the sessions.

Nineteenth-Century British Histories and Cultures
Conveners: Maria H. Frawley, Professor of English and Director of the University Honors Program; Tara Ghoshal Wallace, Professor of English and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies for the Columbian College of Arts and Science

Our University Seminar in Nineteenth-Century British Histories convenes an array of scholars local to Washington, DC, to reconsider basic questions of history and historiography. Taking advantage of newly accessible archives and newspapers, periodicals, and records, many now available digitally, we want to assess the claims scholars of nineteenth-century history (in fields such as literature, art history, history, religion, and print culture) make about the period and what they use as evidence. Put simply, what should be the “stuff” of history? How might interpretations of the significance and interpretive interest of printed materials differ? How do literary and visual texts reflect, challenge, and produce our understanding of historical data? The seminar provides an opportunity for scholars working not just in local universities (Georgetown, American, George Mason, University of Maryland, and Catholic University) but also in local institutions such as the Corcoran, the NEH, and the Library of Congress’s Centre for the Book to form a learning community. Seminar meetings take many forms: discussions based on shared reading; panels focused on particular themes (e.g., Kipling and imperial histories); guest speakers; curator-led talks at local museums such as the Corcoran; presentations of work-in-progress, both by faculty and graduate students.

Performance and the Study of Performance
Conveners: Douglas Boyce, Associate Professor of Music; Mary Buckley, Assistant Professor of Dance; Siobhan Rigg, PhD, Assistant Professor of Fine Arts and Art History

The growing field of performance studies has many different sources but a common analytical and philo­sophical thread. In an increasingly media-saturated, symbol-rich world, it is no longer sufficient to examine representational forms as fundamentally separate from the things they depict. From this perspective, performance includes not only music, art, theatre and other traditionally defined expressive forms, but also the enactment of knowledge across situations and disciplines. Increasingly, scholars are recognizing the ways in which the processes of conveying and constituting meanings are deeply intertwined. Exploring this theme from a multidisciplinary perspective is the central purpose of this University Seminar.

Sustainability Science, Technology, Policy, and Management
Conveners: Mark Starik, Chair, Department of Strategic Management and Public Policy and Professor of Strategic Management and Public Policy  

Attention to the concept, practice, and outcomes of sustainability - defined as ensuring and enhancing both short- and long-term quality of life - has expanded greatly over the past 20 years, and many academic disciplines are now addressing it.  From the natural and social sciences to the professions and humanities, sustainability is increasingly a top-tier, multi-disciplinary issue of interest to both academics and practitioners given its connection to human survival and well-being.  There is a growing recognition of the need for a broad range of scientific approaches to sustainability as well as the need for solutions that are technological and social, address both micro and macro policies, and engage management at all levels of government and of the public and private sectors.  This University Seminars Series topic seeks to connect traditional research with and exchange information among sustainability-interested academic, business, government, and nonprofit organizations and affiliated individuals.

Traumatic Memory
Convener: Marshall Alcorn, Professor of English

Traumatic events have profound and lasting effect for nations and individuals.  Traumas such as the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the bombing of the twin towers trigger nation states to action.   Traumas such as rape and combat create long lasting effects that orient individual memory toward inflexible and often unrealistic anticipations of the future.   Traumatic memory influences our experience of national identity.  It influences our relation to ourselves.  It influences our relations to others.  And it gives a particular emotional tone to the social network it affects, often generating irrational expectations and impossible demands.   Because trauma has both individual and social effects, it needs to be studied from an interdisciplinary perspective.  This seminar takes up the work of the GW Trauma Conference held in March 4-6 of 2010 and continues this work by bring together scholars originally involved with the seminar and reaching out to other scholars who wish to continue to study this topic. 

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2011-12 Call for University Seminar Proposals

TO:     All Regular Active-Status Faculty
RE:     University Seminars Call for Proposals

The George Washington University Seminars program was established in 1985 to foster sustained discussion of issues that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries among members of the GW faculty and their distinguished counterparts in universities, research centers, federal agencies, international organizations, and private industry throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.  Only topics that warrant intensive continuing inquiry are approved as organizing themes for the Seminars.

All faculty, including those who are currently conducting a seminar*, are invited to submit proposals by Friday, May 13, 2011 for a 2011-12 University Seminar.

The goal of the Seminars is to connect the traditional research and inquiry activities of the academy with the major institutions of society, thereby ensuring an exchange of perspectives and information.  University Seminars meet periodically during the academic year on the GW campus.  The initial nucleus of each Seminar is a group of highly qualified faculty from a range of appropriate departments and schools, along with distinguished individuals from outside the GW academic community. The chair of each Seminar serves as convener.  Distinguished guests may be invited to give presentations to stimulate discussion.  However, the goal is to encourage dialogue on issues of importance in such a way that there are demonstrable outcomes such as publications, white papers, grant proposals, curriculum reforms, scholarly discussion blogs, the development of GW 700-series courses, conference proceedings, or contributions to public policy.  The University Seminar should not be perceived to be only a lecture series.  A graduate student is appointed as logistical coordinator and rapporteur for each Seminar.  Each seminar receives funding up to $2,500 annually. For current conveners of seminars, the proposal for next year should include an annual report of 2010-11 activities with names and affiliations of core participants, a description of events sponsored by the seminar, attendance data for events, and other deliverables resulting from the seminar, such as grant funding, collaborative research or publications.   *University Seminars may receive funding for up to 3 consecutive years.

Call for University Seminar Proposals
The deadline for 2011-12 University Seminar Proposals is MAY 13, 2011.   Proposals should include the following:

• A discussion of the topic to be addressed and its importance.
• Names, departmental affiliations, and expertise of faculty who are committed to being a part of the Seminar.
• Names, professional affiliations, and expertise of individuals outside the University who are committed to being a part of the Seminar.
• A plan of action for Academic Year 2011-12, including specific events and activities.
• A discussion of how the Seminar will connect academic research and inquiry to the world outside the University and/or to larger issues in the areas of culture, business, policy, science, or other areas of similar dimension.
• A discussion of anticipated outcomes, processes and/or products.

The proposal should not exceed five pages of 12 pt., double-spaced copy.

Proposals should be sent to the office of:
C. Dianne Martin, Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies and Academic Affairs
Suite302, Rice Hall, 2121 Eye Street, Washington, DC  20052. 
Electronic submissions are preferred and should be sent to gbeverly@gwu.edu.