From the university to your chosen residence, we invite you to engage with and learn from the College of Arts & Sciences community through a series of public gatherings that encompass the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. We look forward to your presence this April.
Global Discussions
April 4 | University of Washington International Security Colloquium (UWISC): “The Blame Game: Militias, civilians, and the states’ accountability-effectiveness trade-off” (Political Science)
April 4 | Political Economy Forum showcases Brian Leung (Political Science)
April 7 | Trump in the World 2.0 Lecture Series: The Indo-Pacific (Jackson School)
April 8 | 2025 Washin Kai Lecture (Department of Asian Languages & Literature)
April 9 | Finnish/Nordic Insights on the War in Ukraine by Ilmari Käihkö, University of Helsinki (Political Science)
April 10 – April 11 | Symposium: “Gender, Translation, and the Short Form in the Eurasian Periodical” (Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures)
April 10 – April 12 | 31st Annual REECAS Northwest Conference (Jackson School)
April 11 | When is an Italian a Roman? (Classics)
April 14 | Trump in the World 2.0 Lecture Series: Europe (Jackson School)
April 15 | Translation Beyond English: Forugh Farrokhzad Between Persian and Italian (French & Italian)
April 21 | Trump in the World 2.0 Lecture Series: The Middle East (Jackson School)
April 23 | Astrobiology 25th Anniversary Lecture Series: The Climatic Effects of the UWAB Program on the Habitability of My Environment (Astronomy)
April 24 | Walter G. Andrews Memorial Lecture | Occasions for Poetry: Politics, Literature, and Imagination Among the Early Modern Ottomans (Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures)
April 28 | Trump in the World 2.0 Lecture Series: Global Information (Jackson School)
Week of March 31
Dr. Victoria Meadows
Wednesday, April 2, 7 pm – 8 pm | Exploring the Frontiers of Life in the Universe: 25 Years of the UW Astrobiology Program (Department of Astronomy)
UWAB is thrilled to inform you that we will be hosting a public lecture series to commemorate the program’s 25th anniversary this April 2025! All sessions will take place in Kane Hall (Room 120), with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and lectures commencing at 7 p.m. Each gathering will encompass a one-hour lecture followed by up to 45 minutes of questions and answers with our presenter.
This week’s speaker: Dr. Victoria Meadows, Director of the UW Astrobiology Program Professor of Astronomy at the University of Washington
RSVPs are necessary for both in-person and Zoom participation
Wednesday, April 2, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm | 8th Annual Lee Scheingold Lecture in Poetry and Poetics (Department of English)
Pádraig Ó Tuama (photo credit: David Pugh)
Poet and theologian, Pádraig Ó Tuama’s oeuvre revolves around concepts of language, authority, conflict, and spirituality. He performs adeptly on the page and in front of an audience, being a captivating poet, eloquent speaker, educator, and group facilitator. He leads Poetry Unbound with On Being Studios. A book signing and reception will follow the lecture.
Friday, April 4, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm | University of Washington International Security Colloquium (UWISC) (Department of Political Science)
Be a part of the University of Washington Department of Political Science’s UWISC featuring Ian Callison, who will deliver a lecture titled “The Blame Game: Militias, civilians, and the States’ accountability-effectiveness Trade-off.”
Friday, April 4, 7:30 pm | Guest Artist Concert: Bennardo Larson Duo (School of Music)
The Bennardo Larson Duo (Image: Pat_Swoboda)
The violin and piano ensemble—Maya Bennardo (violin) and Karl Larson (piano)—delivers compositions by recent Rome Prize recipient (and alumnus of the School of Music) Anthony Vine, along with others.
The Bennardo-Larson Duo, based in NYC and Stockholm, is a modern classical duo dedicated to the performance and advocacy of innovative works for violin and piano. Their repertoire includes the complete Sonatas for Violin and Piano by Charles Ives, Morton Feldman’s monumental piece ‘For John Cage,’ and ‘a Wind’s Whisper,’ a series that showcases compositions by John Cage, Michael Pisaro, Eva Maria Houben, and two commissions from Adrian Knight and Kristofer Svensson. In April 2024, the duo will unveil the global premiere of two significant new commissions by Anthony Vine and Maya Bennardo as part of the Bowerbird Series in Philadelphia, PA.
Outside the concert platform, Bennardo and Larson are fervent educators, providing workshops in contemporary string and piano methodologies for performers and composers.
Friday, April 4, 12 pm – 1:30 pm | Political Economy Forum features Brian Leung (Department of Political Science)
Brian Leung
Brian Leung: Corporate Advocacy and the Political Economy of US-China Trade
Upcoming Events
April 1 | Guest Pianist Lecture Recital: Catherine Kautsky (Music)
April 2 | First Wednesday Concert Series (Music)
April 3 – 5 | Alonzo King LINES Ballet: Deep River (Meany Center)
April 4 | John B. and Mary K. McDiarmid Lecture: Jennifer Ingleheart (Classics)
Week of April 7
Monday, April 7, 5 pm – 6:20 pm | Trump in the World 2.0: The Indo-Pacific (Jackson School)
Prof. David Bachman
The ‘Trump in the World 2.0’ series consists of discussions and presentations from March 31 to June 2 regarding the global implications of the second Trump presidency. Faculty and guest speakers will delve into how various regions and global matters are influenced by the Trump administration’s policies.
This week’s speakers include: David Bachman, Radhika Govindrajan, and James Lin.
Livestream is available solely for the public. In-person attendance is limited to students only.
Tuesday, April 8, 5:30 pm – 8 pm | 2025 Washin Kai Lecture: Ryukyuan Landscapes and Identity in the Omoro Sōshi (1531-1623) (Asian Languages & Literature)
Prof. Davinder Bhowmik
The Omoro Sōshi is an ancestral collection encompassing 1500 songs, poems, and prayers that celebrate the golden era of the Ryukyu Islands. It provides perspectives missing from official narratives that concentrate on celebrated figures. The anthology illuminates the Ryukyu’s subtropical biodiversity and, by extension, the daily experiences of the general populace.
This lecture will be conducted by Professor Davinder Bhowmik, who will discuss the primary characteristics of the Omoro Sōshi and focus particularly on key elements of the landscape that influenced traditional communal structures. It aims to evaluate whether the anthology signifies a history of the area as top-down (Yamato) or bottom-up (Ryukyu).
Wednesday, April 9, 11:30 am – 12 pm | Midday Mindfulness (Henry Art Gallery)
James Turrell Skyspace (photo credit: Lara Swimmer)
Join Ashwini Sadekar, founder of the Conscious Creative Circle, in the James Turrell Skyspace for a guided meditation designed to foster tranquility and presence through the integration of mind, body, and breath. Immersed in the breathtaking space of Turrell’s artwork, participants will partake in a 20-minute guided meditation followed by a 10-minute small group discussion. Everyone is welcome, and no prior experience is necessary. Registration is recommended.
Wednesday, April 9, 7 pm – 8 pm | UW Astrobiology Program’s 25th Anniversary Lecture Series: From the Deep Ocean to Deep Space (Department of Astronomy)
Dr. Giada Arney
UWAB is thrilled to announce the hosting of a public lecture series in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the program in April 2025! All presentations will occur in Kane Hall (Room 120) with doors opening at 6:30 pm, and lectures commencing at 7 pm. Each event will feature a one-hour lecture followed by up to 45 minutes of Q&A with our speaker.
This week’s presenters include: Dr. Giada Arney, UW Astrobiology Program Graduate 2016, NASA Research Scientist & Interim Project Scientist for Habitable Worlds Observatory, and Dr. Rika Anderson, UWAB Graduate 2013, Associate Professor of Biology at Carleton College
RSVP is mandatory for both live and virtual participation.
Thursday, April 10 – Saturday, April 12 | 31st Annual REECAS Northwest Conference (Jackson School)
Scott Radnitz, Director of the Ellison Center, presenting at the REECAS Northwest Conference in 2022
REECAS Northwest invites students, faculty, independent researchers, and language instructors from both the U.S. and international spheres. Founded in 1994, REECAS Northwest serves as an annual gathering for academics and students across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The interdisciplinary conference is facilitated by the University of Washington’s Ellison Center for Russian, East European, and Central Asian Studies.
The conference features numerous panels covering a broad range of subjects drawn from various fields including political science, history, literature, linguistics, anthropology, culture studies, migration research, gender studies, LGBTQ studies, film analysis, and many others.
Other Events
April 8 | Lara Downes – This Land (Meany Center)
April 9 | Finnish/Nordic Views on the War in Ukraine by Ilmari Käihkö, University of Helsinki (Political Science)
April 10 | Faculty Recital: Tekla Cunningham, violin (Music)
April 10 | UW Colloquium in Political Theory: Anna Nguyen, Ph.D. Student in Political Science (Political Science)
April 10 | The Love Jones Cohort: Analyzing the Lifestyle of Singles Living Alone in the Black Middle Class (Sociology)
April 10 – April 11 | Symposium: “Gender, Translation, and the Short Form in the Eurasian Periodical” (Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures) – ONLINE
April 11 | When is an Italian a Roman? (Classics)
April 11 | Roberta Hawkins “Higher Expectations: Practical Actions for Improved Academia” (Geography)
April 11 | THEME Lecture Series: James O. Young (University of Victoria) (Music)
April 12 | Taj Mahal and Leyla McCalla: Black Banjo (Meany Center)
Week of April 14
Professor Sabine Lang
Monday, April 14, 5 pm – 6:20 pm | Trump in the World 2.0: Europe (Jackson School)
Trump in the World 2.0 is a series of discussions and presentations occurring from March 31 through June 2 addressing the global ramifications of the second Trump administration. Faculty and guest speakers will examine how diverse regions and international matters are influenced by the policies of the Trump administration.
This week’s presenters: Sabine Lang in dialogue with former U.S. Ambassadors Jeff Hovenier and John Koenig
Available for livestreaming to the public. In-person attendance is limited to students.
Wednesday, April 16 | The Farhat J. Ziadeh Distinguished Lecture in Arab and Islamic Studies (Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures)
Farhat J. Ziadeh
This distinguished lectureship was created to honor Farhat J. Ziadeh, who has made remarkable contributions in the realms of Islamic law, Arabic linguistics, and Islamic Studies.
The Ziadeh fund was officially endowed in 2001 and has since empowered the MELC to expand its educational outreach and exhibit exceptional scholarly work in Arab and Islamic Studies.
Wednesday, April 16, 7 pm – 8 pm | UW Astrobiology Program’s 25th Anniversary Lecture Series: Exploring Mars with the Perseverance Rover (Department of Astronomy)
Dr. Ken Williford
UWAB is thrilled to announce that we will be hosting a public lecture series in celebration of the program’s 25th anniversary in April 2025! All presentations will take place in Kane Hall (Room 120), with doors opening at 6:30 pm, andlectures commencing at 7 pm. Every gathering will include a lecture lasting an hour, followed by a Q&A session of up to 45 minutes with our speaker.
This week’s presenter: Dr. Ken Williford, UW Astrobiology Program Alumnus 2007, Deputy Project Scientist for the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover
Reservations are essential for both in-person and Zoom participation
Friday, April 18, 12 pm – 1:30 pm | Center for Environmental Politics: Emily M. Broad Leib, Harvard Law School, “Utilizing Law and Policy to Mitigate Food Waste” (Department of Political Science)
Emily Broad Leib
Emily Broad Leib serves as a Clinical Professor of Law, the Director of the Harvard Law School Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation, and the Founding Director of the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic, recognized as the country’s inaugural law school clinic dedicated to delivering legal and policy solutions to the health, economic, and environmental hurdles confronting our food system. Collaborating closely with clients and communities, Broad Leib advocates for community-driven transformations in the food system, reduction of food wastage, food access initiatives, food is medicine strategies, and equity and sustainability in food production.
Saturday, April 19 | FINAL EXHIBIT: artists & poets (School of Art + Art History + Design)
Don’t overlook your final opportunity to engage with artists & poets at the Jacob Lawrence Gallery!
Aiming to replicate the interdisciplinary artistic atmosphere Jacob Lawrence encountered in his early years, this exhibition delves into a tradition of collaboration among artists and poets. artists & poets is part of the re-establishment of the Jacob Lawrence Gallery in its commitment to education, innovation, and social equity.
Additional Activities
April 15 | WISIR Speaker Series presents Emily Zackin, Johns Hopkins University (Political Science)
April 15 | Prof. David Schlosberg Environmental Justice Discussion (Philosophy)
April 15 | Translation Beyond English: Forugh Farrokhzad Between Persian and Italian (French & Italian)
April 16 | Guest Artist Concert: Eroica Trio (Music)
April 17 | Letterpress Poetry Workshop (Art + Art History + Design)
April 18 | Severyns Ravenholt Seminar in Comparative Politics: Iza Ding, Northwestern University (Political Science)
April 18 | Faculty Concert: John-Carlos Perea, “Improvising Home” (Music)
April 18 | Translation Studies Hub Seminar (Simpson Center)
April 18 | Linguistics Seminar Series (Linguistics)
Week of April 21
Monday, April 21, 5 pm – 6:20 pm | Trump in the World 2.0: The Middle East (Jackson School)
Prof. Liora R. Halperin and Prof. Reşat Kasaba
Trump in the World 2.0 is a series of discussions and presentations occurring from March 31 to June 2, focusing on the global ramifications of the second Trump administration. Presentations by faculty and guest speakers will examine how diverse regions and international issues are influenced by the policies of the Trump administration.
This week’s speakers: Liora R. Halperin and Reşat Kasaba
This will be livestreamed for the general public. In-person attendance is limited to students only.
Wednesday, April 23, 7 pm – 8 pm | UW Astrobiology Program’s 25th Anniversary Lecture Series: The Climatic Effects of the UWAB Program on the Habitability of My Environment (Department of Astronomy)
Dr. Aomawa Shields
UWAB is thrilled to declare that we will be hosting a public lecture series in honor of the program’s 25th anniversary in April 2025! All sessions will be conducted in Kane Hall (Room 120) with doors opening at 6:30 pm, and presentations commencing at 7 pm. Each event will showcase a lecture lasting one hour, followed by a Q&A session of up to 45 minutes with our speaker.
This week’s speaker: Dr. Aomawa Shields, UW Astrobiology Program Alumnus 2014, Clare Boothe Luce Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of California Irvine
Reservations are essential for both in-person and Zoom participation
Wednesday, April 23, 7 pm – 9 pm |17th Annual Allen L. Edwards Psychology Lecture: The Science of Altruism (Department of Psychology)
Allen L. Edwards
The 17th Annual Allen L. Edwards Psychology Lectures showcases The Science of Altruism. This interdisciplinary discussion convenes prominent specialists from psychology, anthropology, neuroscience, and animal behavior to investigate the biological, cognitive, and societal groundwork of altruistic actions.
The discussion will be guided by KUOW Host Bill Radke and will include these esteemed panelists:
- Abigail Marsh, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Psychology & Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University
- Kristen Hawkes, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor in Anthropology, University of Utah
- John M. Marzluff, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Wildlife Science, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington
- Andrew Meltzoff, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at the University of Washington.
Thursday, April 24, 6 pm – 7:30 pm | Webinar: Parents and Teens on Screens (Center for Child & Family Well-Being)
Lucía Magis-Weinberg, M.D., Ph.D.
This webinar will feature a panel of specialists discussing parents’ , teens’, and preteens’ utilization of digital technology and social media and its connection to mental health. The panelists will explore current trends in social media use among parents and youth, while discussing both the positive and negative potential effects of social media, including the impact of technology and social media in fostering social connectedness and awareness, alongside the mental health challenges that may arise. Panelists will offer strategies for using social media that’s grounded in mindfulness, enhancing well-being.
Thursday, April 24, 7 pm – 8:30 pm | Walter G. Andrews Memorial Lecture | Occasions for Poetry: Politics, Literature, and Imagination Among the Early Modern Ottomans (Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures)
Following the annexation of Constantinople in 1453, Ottoman elites at the imperial court embraced poetry to create unique forms of expression that articulated their identity within the Ottoman sultanate.
In this presentation, Oscar Aguirre-Mandujano will elaborate on his latest publication, Occasions for Poetry: Politics, Literature, and Imagination Among the Early Modern Ottomans (Penn Press, 2025), examining how scholars and bureaucrats communicated through poetic devices, unveiling the influence of literary language on bureaucratic processes.
Friday, April 25, 7:30 pm | Improvised Music Project Festival (IMPFEST) (School of Music)
Guitarist Bill Frisell (Photo: Monica Jane Frisell).
The School of Music, along with the student-led Improvised Music Project, presents IMPFest, featuring performances by UW Jazz Studies students and faculty alongside distinguished guests: celebrated guitarist Bill Frisell; saxophonist Josh Johnson; and bassist (and School of Music alumnus) Luke Bergman.
Seating is limited; securing tickets in advance is advised.
Additional Events
April 21 | UW Colloquium in Political Theory: Dr. George Shulman, NYU Gallatin School of Individual Study, “Creative Paranoia & Radical Democracy: The Politics of SNNC and SDS” (Political Science)
April 22 | Faculty Recital: Stephanie Richards and Friends (Music)
April 22 | Griffith and Patricia Way Lecture featuring Professor Kenneth Mori McElwain, University of Tokyo (East Asia Center)
April 22 – April 26 | Producing Artist Laboratory (Drama)
April 24 | Faculty Recital: Robin McCabe, Around Robin (Music)
April 25 | Film Screening – Displacement and Resistance: The Story of Masafer Yatta (History)
Week of April 28
Monday, April 28, 5 pm – 6:20 pm | Trump in the World 2.0: Global
Information (Jackson School)
Prof. Jessica L. Beyer and Prof. Scott Radnitz
Trump in the World 2.0 is a collection of discussions and presentations occurring from March 31 to June 2 regarding the global ramifications of Donald Trump’s second term. Academics and guest lecturers will analyze how various international regions and global affairs are influenced by the policies set forth by the Trump administration.
This week’s presenters: Jessica L. Beyer and Scott Radnitz
Available via livestream for the public. On-site attendance is reserved for students only.
Tuesday, April 29 – Friday, May 9 | 2025 BA Exhibitions – Group 1 (School of Art + Art History + Design)
Come and join the School of Art + Art History + Design in honoring the creations of this year’s students. There will be four student displays throughout the spring quarter!
Wednesday, April 30, 4 pm – 5:30 pm | Letters from the Ancestors: Family History and our Capitalist Future – Nathan Connolly, Vanderbilt (Department of History)
Prof. Nathan Connolly
In “Letters from the Ancestors,” Prof. Connolly tracks the journeys of four generations from his Caribbean lineage, providing a profound insight into the late capitalism narrative within the Atlantic World. According to his examination, working-class individuals crafted distinct gendered strategies for navigating the challenges posed by racism and social standing during the twentieth-century colonial era. Even in the post-colonial context, such strategies persist, shaping our interactions with institutions, defining our goals, and influencing how we recount our own personal and political narratives. More than a mere account of one family’s journey, “Letters from the Ancestors” intends to preserve and promote our understanding of the histories associated with colonized families. Connolly emphasizes that this narrative is particularly pertinent today, given the declining governmental protections for women and marginalized communities.
Upcoming Events
April 30 | Closing Exhibit: Love, Taipei: Pop-up Exhibit @ TEAL & Online Film Festival @ TaiwanPlus (China Studies Program)
Do you have an event that you wish to see highlighted in the ArtSci Roundup? Reach out to Kathrine Braseth ([email protected]).