For members of the Religious Studies Department, including, undergraduate concentrators, graduate students, faculty, and staff. Held via Zoom.

“Why We Need Each Other: Tackling the Triple Threat of Racism, Misogyny, and Antisemitism”

He is a nationally-recognized expert on the relationship between authoritarian movements, hate violence, and preserving inclusive democracy. In his 30+ year civil rights career, he has worked with community groups, government, and business leaders, human rights advocates, and philanthropy as an organizer, director, program officer, consultant, and board member. The recipient of the Peabody-Facebook Futures Media Award, Eric’s widely quoted writings and speeches are credited with key narrative shifts. He currently serves as Executive Director of Western States Center, Senior Fellow with Southern Poverty Law Center, and Race Forward, and Co-Chair for The Proteus Fund.

Join the Department as we come together to honor the work of our seniors and share in their scholarship. This event is open, so please invite friends and family.

“Invasion Biology and the Ethics of Biodiversity”

Invasion biology is the field of ecology and conservation biology that interacts with introduced and invasive species. Introduced species are biogeographically “non-native,” requiring anthropogenic or human-aided dispersal to cross geographic barriers, and those introduced populations that have undesirable economic, environmental, or public health effects are usually those labelled “invasive.” Invasion biology formed in the late 20th century in response to concerns about the conservation implications of some introduced species. The field has since faced criticisms from scholars in multiple fields for alleged xenophobia, fear-mongering, advocacy of controversial management and eradication campaigns, as well as some invasion biologists’ philosophy of nature, which, like romantic ideals of “wilderness,” seems to exclude humans. This presentation will clarify and evaluate competing ethical justifications of invasion biologists’ concern with introduced species, advocating a pluralistic view that attempts to balance the diverse values at stake in the study and management of invasive species.