Interdisciplinary Dialogue Series

Reproductive Rights and Public Health Post-Dobbs

Date: October 18, 2022

A virtual lunchtime talk examining the legal and political context of the Supreme Court's recent decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case, which overturned the longheld right to abortion established in prior cases such as Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Panelists also addressed the effects of this decision on public health. Our panel featured faculty from numerous different fields.

Humanity at a Crossroads: Climate, Justice, and Environmental Impact

Date: April 27, 2022

Today, the climate crisis is propelling burning forests, rising sea levels, melting Arctic ice, and dying coral reefs. This defining crisis continues to charge human conflict, inequity, and disruption.

This was a virtual conversation on how University of Maryland researchers are exploring, uncovering, and tackling these challenges locally and abroad. Our panel featured faculty from numerous different fields.

Russian War In Ukraine

Date: March 16, 2022

Watch the presentation online!

The Russian War in Ukraine is an escalation of Russian, pro-Russian separatist, and Belarusian aggression against Ukraine that started in 2014. The devastating and ongoing attacks have prompted strong resistance from the Ukrainian people led by their President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In addition to a humanitarian crisis on the western borders of Ukraine, we are witnessing mass protests all over the globe and a wave of coordinated sanctions and demonstrated unity from the U.S., Europe, and other governments around the world.

We had a virtual conversation with campus experts as we looked into the Russian War in Ukraine, its consequences on the world community and the local university community from interdisciplinary perspectives. Our panel featured faculty from numerous different fields.

Note: The title was changed to Russian War in Ukraine from Conflict in Ukraine

Related LibGuide: The Russian War in Ukraine by Yelena Luckert

A Century of the 19th Amendment: Perspectives on Women’s Rights in the U.S.

Date: March 31, 2021

A virtual lunchtime talk with Ruth Igielnik, Senior Researcher, Pew Research Center, and UMD Alumna, featuring comments from Jessica Vitak, Associate Professor at UMD's iSchool and Co-Director, Center for the Advanced Study of Communities and Information (CASCI). We explore the results of a major survey on perceptions about women’s rights conducted by the Pew Research Center, delved into how the Center’s polling, analysis, and empirical social science research aims to inform the public about the issues, attitudes, and trends shaping the world, and inquired how communities can use technology, information, and organization research to support learning, facilitate innovation, and enhance individual and civic well-being. Our panel featured faculty from the iSchool and special guests from the Pew Research Center.

What Happened on January 6? What's Next?

Date: February 26, 2021

The deadly assault on the Capitol and the basic institutions of American democracy on January 6 horrified most of the nation and much of the world. What lay behind these traumatic events? Were they the result of long-term forces operating in American society or the result of divisiveness produced by a singular figure in our history? How could so many Americans have come to believe in the lie of a stolen election and how could so many of them have been willing to commit mayhem, or worse, in support of that lie? What roles, for good or ill, did the media play in the events of January 6? Will it be possible to heal the divisions they laid bare and to prevent further assaults on America's democratic institutions? How might that be attempted? In this panel, one of a series of Interdisciplinary Dialogues organized by the UMD Libraries, faculty members from different departments, and the Libraries will address these and related questions in hopes of contributing to a campus-wide conversation. Our panel featured faculty from numerous different fields.

Tale of Two Pandemics: Illuminating Structural Racism and COVID

Date: November 18, 2020

As the United States faces a global COVID-19 pandemic that has killed hundreds of thousands Americans and confronts longtime and systemic racism and violence against Black Americans, researchers have highlighted a clear intersection between structural racism and high risk situations for contracting COVID. By drawing from research expertise, this panel explored the concurrent pandemics of racism and COVID, causes of inequity, and ways in which our community can address them. Our panel featured faculty from numerous different fields.

Women and American Politics: 19th Amendment and After

Date: October 27, 2020 

Watch the presentation online!

As 2020 marks the 19th Amendment's 100th anniversary and the presidential election draws near, the University Libraries presented a panel examining and celebrating the role of women in politics. We explored women's civic participation in the US, delved into public memory, and took a look at the history of how we got here and where we are going. Our panel featured faculty from numerous different fields.

The deepfake

Date: October 24, 2019 

Deepfakes, the digital manipulation of visual media using artificial intelligence, can look or sound like the real thing. While most may enjoy the ability to superimpose Nicolas Cage into every film, there are far more malicious uses including the spread of disinformation, harassment, and political undermining. How are these emerging technologies transforming disinformation? Our panel featured faculty from numerous different fields.

Diversity Research Showcase

Date: May 8, 2019

The Interdisciplinary Dialogue Series features panel discussions on important topics by scholars from various disciplines at the University of Maryland. The forums are free and are open to all members of the campus community, as well as to members of the general public. Join us as we feature UMD faculty and their cutting-edge research in the areas of Diversity and Inclusion! Dr. Quynh Nguyen, Dr. Sacoby Wilson, and Dr. Ebony Terrell Shockley will be our panelists. They will describe their areas of research and engage in an interactive QA session.

Immigration: Reality/Deception, Action/Reaction

Date: April 2nd, 2019 

The University Libraries presented an Interdisciplinary Dialogue event, concurrent with the Year of Immigration, focused on fostering a more connected and inclusive community through open dialogue and action. Learn about the outcomes.

Big Data

Date: April 3rd, 2018 

Big Data, a one day conference and workshop within the UMD Libraries’ Interdisciplinary Dialogue Series, brought the campus community together to discuss big data at the University of Maryland.

Sex and Gender in Academia

Date: February 28th, 2018

Panelists addressed sex and gender issues faced by students, faculty and staff in social encounters and the campus workplace as well as in research.

Fake News/Alternative Facts

Date: October 17th, 2017

The onslaught of newscasts is overwhelming! Is it fake news? Real news? Alternative facts? Our esteemed interdisciplinary panelists offered their different perspectives on this vital topic.

Immigration in the Age of Trump

Date: April 6th, 2017

The University Libraries held a forum on topics relating to immigration in the age of the Trump administration, featuring an interdisciplinary panel discussion by campus scholars.

Elections 2016: The Use and Impact of Social Media

Date: October 19th, 2016

The University Libraries held a forum on topics relating to the 2016 election, featuring a panel of speakers from the Department of Communication, Philip Merrill College of Journalism, and Robert H. Smith School of Business.

Sex on Campus

Date: February 19th, 2016

The University Libraries held a forum on topics relating to sex on campus, featuring a panel of speakers from the School of Public Health, Department of Psychology, and Department of Sociology.

Income Inequality Forum

Date: October 28th, 2015

The University Libraries held a discussion on the topic of income inequality featuring campus scholars from a wide range of disciplines.