mercantile library – UC Center for Public Engagement with Science

‘A Pact with Reason’ Online Lecture Series Starts July 16

Center Faculty Affiliate Zvi Biener is co-sponsoring A Pact With Reason, a series of ten free lectures by Dr. Piers Bursill-Hall of Cambridge University hosted by the Mercantile Library. The lectures will begin on Thursday, July 16, at 1:00 p.m. (EST) and continue weekly.

The lectures provide a dynamic overview of the rationalist, scientific tradition that has given human civilization some of its greatest triumphs but has also precipitated some of its greatest failures. The lectures are of timely importance since we see daily evidence that some are turning away from facts, science, and reason itself as the basis for structuring our everyday life and beliefs. This is a very dangerous turn of events and one that we need to combat vigorously. To do that, we need to understand our “pact with reason:” how it emerged, the twists and turns it has taken for over two and a half millennia, and the place it has brought us to now in 2020. Those are the topics that will be covered in these ten lectures.

Piers Bursill-Hall is a highly regarded lecturer on the history and philosophy of science and mathematics at Cambridge University. His talks on the history of science, mathematics, and medicine are celebrated for their breadth of knowledge, insights, clarity, and wit.

You can register by emailing info@mercantilelibrary.com or at https://www.crowdcast.io/e/a-pact-with-reason-a/register. For more information, see: https://mercantilelibrary.com/calendar/a-pact-with-reason-a-lecture-series/2020-07-16/

Center Events, Public Engagement with Science Graduate Course

Virtual Discussion About the Science of Psychedelics

What do you know about psychedelics? A group from the Public Engagement with Science Graduate Course has partnered with the Mercantile Library to host a discussion of Michael Pollan’s book, How To Change Your Mind. The virtual discussion will take place on May 18th, focusing on the science and history of psychedelics and other mind-altering practices, as told by Michael Pollan in the book.

The first part of the discussion will assess the historical and scientific claims Pollan makes with reference to two scientific papers: one from 1966 detailing an experiment done on the effects of psychedelics on spiritual experiences, the other a 2014 study on the effects of psilocybin on brain states. Which claims are most interesting and why? How can scientific laypeople leverage other scientific sources to fact-check information? And how much responsibility should we feel to do so?

The second part of the discussion will focus on participants’ reactions to the book. Are we convinced by Pollan’s arguments? Do we disagree with anything? Has he motivated us to “change our minds”?

Please join for this fascinating discussion intertwining science, good writing, and psychadelics. The discussion will be virtual via the Zoom platform. This event is free and open to the public (members and non-members of the Mercantile Library alike).

To register click here or email reservations@mercantilelibrary.com. The link to Zoom discussion will be sent via email prior to May 18th.

Public Engagement with Science Graduate Course

Public Engagement with Science Graduate Course Concludes

The final meeting for the Public Engagement with Science graduate course just wrapped up. Students from MA and PhD programs in Anthropology, Biology, Geology, Philosophy, Professional Writing, and Sociology explored the theory and practice of engaging with the public about science. Students worked in interdisciplinary teams to develop outreach projects with local science engagement organizations.

Watch this space in the coming weeks to learn about their projects with the Cincinnati Nature Center, Mercantile Library, University of Cincinnati Field Station, and Children’s Hospital Center for Pediatric Genomics.

Public Engagement with Science Graduate Course

Community Partners Panel

Thank you to Brenda Hunda, Amy Hunter, and Curtis Webb for joining the Public Engagement with Science class last week! Brenda talked with us about her work at the Cincinnati Museum Center and reminded us the importance of meeting an audience where they are and connecting to their lives. Amy talked about the founding of the Mercantile Library and its goal of providing education to people who do not otherwise have access to it. Curtis discussed activities of the Cincinnati Project, including one on women of color in Cincinnati, and another on evictions. Other topics of discussion included public access to information, reaching families rather that just individuals, and learning through play. The class was encouraged to be flexible and make sure that outreach is alway accessible to everyone. This was a great way for the students to connect with potential project partners!

Center Events

Nancy Tuana interviewed about climate change and social justice

In this Humanities Unbound episode of the Taft Research Center at the University of Cincinnati, Nancy Tuana (Penn State) speaks with Taft Center Director Amy Lind about how climate change affects women and men differently and other topics about climate change and social justice. You can listen to the episode here (link); the Humanities Unbound series is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

This episode was recorded when Tuana visited Cincinnati this fall for CLIMATE CHANGE/CINCINNATI, an event series the UC Center for Public Engagement with Science put on with the Mercantile Library. See here (link) for a writeup about this series in CityBeat.

Center Events

Tonight! Climate Change and Cincinnati Life

Audience from the second event of the CLIMATE CHANGE/CINCINNATI series, which focused on the social justice implications of climate change.

The third and final event of the CLIMATE CHANGE/CINCINNATI series at the Mercantile Library in downtown Cincinnati is tonight. The series is cosponsored by our Center and the Taft Research Center, also at UC. This event, Climate Change and Cincinnati Life, is a panel discussion with local experts on sustainability steps being taken by local government and other entities, how local farming is impacted by climate change and can contribute to sustainability, and energy use and changes in our region.

Chris Anderson has written a really nice discussion of the Climate Change/Cincinnati series. Read the full article here (link).

Center Events

Nancy Tuana addresses climate change and social justice in Cincinnati

Nancy Tuana, Dupont/Class of 1948 Professor of Philosophy and Women’s Studies at Penn State, addressed a full house at the Mercantile Library in downtown Cincinnati. She discussed the formidable social justice implications of climate change, worldwide and locally here in Cincinnati. This was the second of three events in the series CLIMATE CHANGE/CINCINNATI.

Center Events

Climate Change and Social Justice

The second event of the CLIMATE CHANGE/CINCINNATI series the Center has organized with the Mercantile Library is tomorrow, September 12! Nancy Tuana, Professor of Philosophy and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Penn State, will address the relationship between climate change and social justice, showcasing the importance of the humanities to addressing scientific topics.

Learn more about the CLIMATE CHANGE/CINCINNATI series here. All three events in the series are full, so the Mercantile Library is no longer accepting reservations for Tuana’s talk. But you can still catch Tuana’s talk at UC on Friday, September 13. Details below.

Media Coverage

News coverage of Climate Change/Cincinnati series

A view of Cincinnati from Covington’s Devou Park; credit Hailey Bollinger

Chris Anderson has written a really nice discussion of the Climate Change/Cincinnati series the Center has organized with the Mercantile Library. Read the full article here.

Center Events

Understanding Climate Change

Taking place Thursday, August 29, in the beautiful Mercantile Library in downtown Cincinnati

Click here to see UC News coverage of the series.

The first event in the Climate Change/Cincinnati series at the Mercantile Library is this Thursday! This panel discussion, Understanding Climate Change, features Professor Brooke Crowley (Anthro & Geo), Professor Carlie Trott (Community Psych), and Cincinnati Museum Center Curator Brenda Hunda.

This free event is now full with 300 reservations; make your reservation online here for the second or third event (Climate Change and Social Justice; Climate Change and Cincinnati Life), as those events are also almost full.

This series is a collaborative project with the UC Center for Public Engagement with Science, the Mercantile Library, and UC’s Taft Research Center.