Franke Program in Science & the Humanities

Ben Okri, acclaimed Nigerian Poet and Novelist

The acclaimed  Nigerian poet and novelist Ben Okri,  one of the foremost postmodern authors, is joining us to talk about his newest book, Prayer for the Living, which includes the quantum physics murder mystery “Alternative Realities Are  True.” During this event, Ben will read this short story, share how quantum physics  came to muddy the water of this British police investigation, and answer audience questions about his extensive body of work.
Sponsored by the Yale Quantum Institute and Franke Program in Science and the Humanities
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Poster

Distinguished Speaker Series
Susan Hockfield, neuroscientist

With an anticipated world population of over 9.5 billion by 2050, we face an unprecedented challenge to sustainably provide sufficient food, water, energy, and healthcare. Convergence, the merging of previously distinct disciplines, has emerged as a powerful model with untold potential to drive a new cycle of innovation-based economic growth.  Bringing together insights and discoveries from the life, engineering, computation, and physical sciences holds the promise of accelerating discovery and the development of new technologies to meet the 21st century’s needs. Promoting Convergence approaches in education and research can pave the way to the discoveries and technologies that will transform our world.

Sponsored by the Franke Program in Science and the Humanities
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Poster

This talk will highlight fresh thinking on sustainability from a new book that emerged from a multi-year initiative from the Yale School of the Environment that engaged a diverse set of environmental thought leaders from diverse disciplines and across the political spectrum.
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Poster

Mapping as Knowing Lecture Series
Kim Stanley Robinson, acclaimed science fiction writer
(Franke Program in Science and the Humanities)

Predicting the future is impossible, but modeling possible futures is important. Now, all realistic futures for civilization include some climate change, which means biosphere damage that could range from the bad to the terrible. How then do we talk about the future without creating in our current selves various versions of giving up? And what do humans need to do now to bring the least bad futures into being?
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Poster

Social and Structural Contours of Marginalization in the Context of COVID-19
The Wisdom Project was born in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. A group of persons with lived experience with mental health problems has produced a series of webinars and podcasts; and they have conducted research on how we can collectively make sense of this global disruption. This pandemic—far from being a great equalizer—has brought to the fore issues that are at the core of our societies and that we can no longer ignore—systemic racism, oppression, poverty, and health inequities. This talk will focus on a series of regional conversations that invited the voices and experiences of those who have experienced first-hand what it’s like to survive precarious livelihoods, racism, oppression, marginalization, stigma, and other unfreedoms.

We look forward to hosting this talk by former Franke Postdoctoral Fellow Ana Florence, now affiliated with Columbia University.

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Poster