Alumna Michelle Kinsman ('92 Film), senior vice president, executive director of production and operations for Digitas Health, will be featured in a student-focused session coordinated by the Office of Internships and Career Services. Kinsman is the author of "Real-World Feminist Handbook: Practical Advice on How to Find, Win & Kick Ass at Your First Job."

Victor Pickard, an associate professor of communication at the University of Pennsylvania, will present the Pockrass Memorial Lecture, a free public session titled "Confronting the Misinformation Society: A Political Economic Critique of Digital Journalism." Pickard believes the proliferation of misinformation afflicting democratic societies stems from structural pathologies in our communication systems. From Facebook’s unaccountable monopoly power to the demise of reliable journalism, a misinformation ecosystem has taken root. He believes this is particularly true in the United States where entire regions and issues lack media coverage at a time when robust reporting is desperately needed. These growing “news deserts” are disproportionately harming specific groups and areas, especially communities of color, rural districts, and lower socio-economic neighborhoods. Such systemic problems require radical structural reforms. Toward that aim, his talk will focus on the ongoing collapse of commercial journalism and the policies necessary for establishing public alternatives.

Come join us with all your questions about how science is defined, why understanding science is important today, and how to tell good and bad science apart at What Makes Science "Science"?, a livestreamed Q&A with three engaging and experienced scientists hosted by the Penn State Science Policy Society!

When: February 26th, 2019, 6:30-7:30 P.M. Eastern time
Where: Schlow Library, Downsbrough Community Room
Who: Mathematician Nate Brown, nutritional scientist Jennifer Fleming, and geoscientist Michael Mann

Can't make it? We'll be livestreaming via Zoom and YouTube, and a recording will be posted on the Science Policy Society YouTube channel afterward!

Livestream through Zoom: If you would like to submit questions in the livestream, please use Zoom. This link will lead to the webinar's launch page. Zoom requires a small download, so we recommend clicking the link and downloading it now so you'll be ready.
https://psu.zoom.us/j/659889638

Livestream through YouTube: Look for the video labeled with "LIVE NOW" on our channel's page when we begin broadcasting - if you don't see it at the time when the event should be live, try refreshing the window.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOXaraVW6_wterh5rfF-wUg

Questions? E-mail Brett Green at brg5241@psu.edu

Presentation by Lillian Thomas, an assistant managing editor at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette who is serving as the professional in residence for the Department of Journalism during the spring semester. Thomas will share examples from the Post-Gazette and her careeer and take questions. The session, intended mostly for undergraduate students, is free and open to the public.

Penn State's Science Policy Society's February Science on Tap will host Dr. Troy Ott, who will be discussing viviparity.

Viviparity is the development of an embryo inside the body leading to birth of a live offspring. Live birth is thought to have evolved from oviparity or egg laying animals. One of the central enigmas of viviparity is why the mother's immune system does not reject the embryo, which is immunologically distinct due to the genetic contributions of the father. In fact, it is thought that some infertility is a result of a maternal immune reaction to the embryo in the uterus. Warning: Sexual content.....actually the whole talk is about sex!

Troy Ott is a Professor of reproductive biology in the Department of Animal Science and Associate Director in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. His research focuses on the maternal immune response to the early embryo and factors that contribute to infertility. You can follow him on Twitter @TroyOttAg or learn more about this research here: https://animalscience.psu.edu/directory/tlo12

The talk starts at 7 PM but get there early for food, drinks, and a good seat!

Free public lecture featuring award-winning sports photographer Fred Vuich ('77 Journ), a frequent contributor to international publications (including Sports Illustrated) and sports organizations, such as the Major League Baseball and U.S. Golf Association. He has worked for the Associated Press and The New York Times as well as the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Annual Penn State Dance Marathon (THON), a 46-hour event in the Bryce Jordan Center to raise money to fight pediatric cancer. Bellisario College students produce annual live start-to-finish webcast of the event through 46LIVE.

The purpose of this meeting is to help faculty/researchers understand how they can effectively engage policymakers as experts. Additionally, the meeting will discuss Penn State’s presence at the federal, state, and local levels of government. Amanda Wintersteen and Mike Stefan (both of Gov/Community Relations) will lead the meeting.

This event will be streamed: https://psu.zoom.us/j/425586964

Free public lecture and presentation featuring Stephanie Strasburg, a photojournalist with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette covering a wide range of assignments. She is drawn to explore the evolving landscape, economy and sociopolitical conditions of the Rust Belt and is interested in developing new ways for stories to be found and shared in her community. In 2017, Strasburg worked on a long-term project that took a deep dive into lives effected by the opioid epidemic in Pittsburgh’s overdose capital of Carrick. In 2016, her work focused around the political landscape of Trump country. Her freelance clients include The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Reuters, STAT News, Vox.com and USA Today.

http://www.stephaniestrasburgphoto.com/

A forum focused on the University’s Strategic Plan and one of its thematic priorities, Stewarding Our Planet’s Resources, will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 21, in Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center. The purpose of the forum is to provide updates on Stewarding Our Planet’s Resources as well as seek input on the direction and focus of the priority.

Faculty and staff from all disciplines who have an interest are encouraged to attend. Registration is requested. The forum will also be live streamed.

Leading the forum will be:

Andy Cole, co-chair, Stewarding Our Planet’s Resources steering committee
Lara Fowler, co-chair, Stewarding Our Planet’s Resources steering committee
Lee Kump, co-chair, Stewarding Our Planet’s Resources executive committee
Tom Richard, member, Stewarding Our Planet’s Resources executive committee
Richard Roush, co-chair, Stewarding Our Planet’s Resources executive committee