Discussions & Talks

kelly and esperanza spalding doing a q&a on stage

Throughout the year, the Center for the Humanities sponsors discussions, talks, and other opportunities for attendees to explore and discuss history, culture and ideas.

wonder and the worry q&a
book signing event for center for the humanities
dr. david pleasant riddim drumfolk workshop

Upcoming Events

Headshot of author Ted Chiang

Center for the Humanities, Annual Theme

Ted Chiang: The Art of Science Fiction

April 4, 2026, 7 p.m.

Detrick Hall

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Headshot of Meredith Broussard

Center for the Humanities, Annual Theme

Meredith Broussard: Confronting Bias in AI (Just AI Series)

Jan. 28, 2026, 5:30 p.m.

Ray Theater

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Headshot of Brian Merchant

Center for the Humanities, Annual Theme

Brian Merchant: The Human Cost of AI and Automation (Just AI Series)

May 1, 2026, 5:30 p.m.

Ray Theater

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Headshot of Sean Sherman

Center for the Humanities

Sean Sherman: The (R)evolution of Indigenous Foodways

April 25, 2026, 7 p.m.

Detrick Hall

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karen hao with Just AI Series banner

Center for the Humanities, Annual Theme

Karen Hao: Empire of AI (Just AI Series)

March 2, 2026, 5:30 p.m.

Toomey Lobby

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Illustration of blue mountains

Center for the Humanities

Humanities Teaching Innovations: Beyond the Essay

Nov. 13, 12 p.m.

Memorial Union, Room 213

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Matika Wilbur standing with a child at sunset

PRAx Presents, Center for the Humanities

Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America

Nov. 20, 2 p.m.

Toomey Lobby

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Past Center for the Humanities events:

  • Oct 3, 2024 Doris Kearns Goodwin | Co-sponsored with the Oregon Historical Society

  • Oct 11, 2024 Ranky Tanky | Dr. David Pleasant, Introduction to Gullah Culture and History, Riddim Drumfolk Workshop

  • Oct 15, 2024 A lecture by Ivon Padilla-Rodriguez the day before Javier Zamora. Moderated by Assistant Professor of History Joel Zapata and Assistant Professor of Spanish Linguistics and Heritage Education Valeria Ochoa

  • Oct 17, 2024 A moderated discussion and Q&A after The Elephant in the Room featuring playwright and performer Priyanka Shetty and Assistant Professor of Creative Writing Sindya Bhanoo. Moderated by Assistant Professor of English Surabhi Balachander

  • Nov 6, 2024 Launch of Voices of the River, a journal highlighting Indigenous perspectives of the Columbia River watershed

  • Jan 17-19, 2025 ELIZA, the first Chatbot, and Early Human-Computer Interactions

  • Jan 18 & 25, 2025 Discussion of I Lived to Tell the World by Elizabeth Mehren

  • Jan 27, 2025 I Lived to Tell the World — Using Personal Narratives to Tell History

  • Feb 1, 2025 I Lived to Tell the World — Live