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sbs.dean@nau.edu2023 summer seminar series
Free educational series presented by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and other contributors
NAU’s popular free Summer Seminar Series returns in person to explore the cultural, social, and geopolitical dimensions of today’s complex world.
During the sessions, parking is complimentary in nearby lots P61 and P47. Access via Zoom will be available. Links to video recordings for some sessions may be provided for later viewing.
The series is free to the public through the support of our generous donors.
Summer Seminar Series events are held Thursdays, June 8–July 20 (except July 6), from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the SBS West Building (070), room 200.
Upcoming events
Learning from the Pandemic and Beyond: Recognizing Emotional Labor in our Public Sector Organizations
June 8, 2023
Presenter: Dr. Sara Rinfret, associate vice provost for Faculty Affairs; professor, Department of Politics and International Affairs
The COVID-19 pandemic has pointed to numerous systemic issues in organizations that negatively affect the performance of employees. One specific concern is emotional labor—the uncompensated, yet often implicitly expected, management of emotions during personal and professional interactions to achieve professional goals. It involves actions such as managing one’s emotions during difficult situations, seeking to create specific emotions in others (e.g., supporting others), and even deep acting to conceal one’s true emotions. Current research has established that public agencies, including higher education, do not recognize the importance of performing emotional labor. As a result, organizations begin to experience a poor work climate, burnout, and inadequate compensation for jobs that require more emotional labor. This presentation presents data from public sector agencies (higher education and Arizona local government) to provide effective strategies for the future success of our organizations.
Participate via Zoom
nau.zoom.us/j/82326593065?pwd=RWlEUlQwZEc2Snd4VFptdUJzVWptdz09
Meeting ID: 823 2659 3065
Password: summer
Re-envisioning the Climate Story: Why It’s Important to Laugh at Tragedy
June 15, 2023
Presenter: Peter Friederici, professor, School of Communication
Climate breakdown is a tragedy that’s disrupting communities and ecosystems around the world. So, why would it make sense to laugh at it? The reason pertains to how we use stories to structure and explain our world, as Professor Friederici explores in his recent book, Beyond Climate Breakdown. Almost all mainstream narratives of climate change have attributes of classical tragedy; meaning their plots are pre-ordained, and their rules are unchangeable. They leave little room for action. But analyzing these narratives and imagining how they might be re-conceived as comedy presents opportunities for imagining our futures in ways that are more adaptive, democratic, and evolutionary. These emotional frameworks—hope, and perhaps fun—may help us develop effective alternatives we haven’t yet imagined.
Participate via Zoom
nau.zoom.us/j/82326593065?pwd=RWlEUlQwZEc2Snd4VFptdUJzVWptdz09
Meeting ID: 823 2659 3065
Password: summer
The Internal Cost of Russia’s War with Ukraine
June 22, 2023
Presenter: Dr. Gretchen Knudson Gee, chair and teaching professor, Department of Politics and International Affairs
This session examines the cost of the Ukrainian war for Russia and its people. Far beyond the cost of weapons and materials, Russia bears punishing consequences that will impact it for decades. The war affects Russia and its citizens politically, socially, and psychologically, as its people and government distort their systems and way of life to conform to President Putin’s vision of the war.
Participate via Zoom
nau.zoom.us/j/82326593065?pwd=RWlEUlQwZEc2Snd4VFptdUJzVWptdz09
Meeting ID: 823 2659 3065
Password: summer
Technology’s Impacts on Mind and Brain: Myths, Facts, and Strategies
June 29, 2023
Presenter: Dr. Michelle Miller, professor, department of Psychological Sciences
How are memory and attention changing in a world dominated by technology? Do we need to protect our intellectual abilities from the effects of smartphones and search engines, and if so, what are the best ways to do this—especially when few of us can afford to opt out of technology altogether? In this interactive seminar, participants will learn how to make the most of technology’s advantages while avoiding the risks, with a special emphasis on practical applications of the latest research on memory and technology.
Participate via Zoom
nau.zoom.us/j/82326593065?pwd=RWlEUlQwZEc2Snd4VFptdUJzVWptdz09
Meeting ID: 823 2659 3065
Password: summer
Using Intensive Longitudinal Designs to Study Lifespan Development and Promote Healthy Aging
July 13, 2023
Presenter: Dr. Eric Cerino, assistant professor, Department of Psychological Sciences
Intensive longitudinal designs, like daily diaries and ecological momentary assessments, can be used to identify ways to maximize health and well-being in everyday life and promote healthy aging throughout adulthood. We will share findings from several research projects that use these designs to identify daily psychosocial determinants of health outcomes in older adulthood, including normative cognitive aging and non-normative cognitive impairment (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias). This presentation will share how we can use results from these types of designs to inform more personalized approaches to healthy aging in our community.
Participate via Zoom
nau.zoom.us/j/82326593065?pwd=RWlEUlQwZEc2Snd4VFptdUJzVWptdz09
Meeting ID: 823 2659 3065
Password: summer
Emerging Issues in Latino Politics
July 20, 2023
Presenter: Dr. Stephen Nuno-Perez, professor, Politics and International Affairs
The Hispanic population in the United States is among the oldest and youngest members of our country with unique migration patterns that have experienced a long political history. As new migration patterns emerge, the relationship between Latinos and the changing demographics of the country will bring new challenges to our political system.
Participate via Zoom
nau.zoom.us/j/82326593065?pwd=RWlEUlQwZEc2Snd4VFptdUJzVWptdz09
Meeting ID: 823 2659 3065
Password: summer
Stay connected
Join the series mailing list by emailing sbs.news@nau.edu or like the series on Facebook.
Support the series
This series is made possible thanks to the generosity of our community members. We hope you will continue your support with a donation to the series. Thank you!
Donate online or by check: Designate “fund #5466” on a check to NAU Foundation, PO Box 4094, Flagstaff, AZ 86011.