A dozen presenters each have six minutes to tell us what they see when they see a cell phone.

Presenters:

Matthew Ando teaches mathematics and studies algebraic topology.  He has been at the University of Illinois since 1999, and he has been chair of the Department of Mathematics since 2011.

Melissa Edwards is Director of Research Communications in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  A former Peace Corps Volunteer, she regularly does things that terrify her, like singing in public, making websites, canning homegrown produce, and giving medication to her cats.  Her resolution for 2016 is to get lost sometimes.

Brian Fields is Professor and Chair of Astronomy, and a Professor of Physics.  His research focuses on the highest-energy arenas in nature – the big bang, exploding stars, and high-energy cosmic-ray particles – where nuclear physics and elementary particle physics play a central role.

Kevin Hamilton is a Professor in the School of Art and Design, where he chaired the New Media Program for several years before moving to work as Senior Associate Dean in the College of Fine and Applied Arts.  With a background in art practice, Kevin’s current scholarship includes work on interface aesthetics in internet platforms and the role of film in America’s nuclear weapons programs.

Mark D. Henderson, the Chief Information Officer at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has more than 30 years’ experience in higher education and the private sector in positions of increasing responsibilities

Linda Herrera is professor in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership, and director of the Global Studies in Education program. H er two most recent books are:  “Revolution in the Age of Social Media” (Verso, 2014) and “Wired Citizenship” (Routledge, 2014).  She is currently curating an online platform called, "Democracy Dialogue."

Valerie Hotchkiss is the Andrew S. G. Turyn Endowed Professor and Director of the Rare Book & Manuscript Library and the author of books and articles in the fields of medieval studies, women’s history, and the history of books and printing.  She edits an e-book series (available for reading on your phone!) with the University of Illinois Press entitled Women in Print.

Tori Metcalf is from Libertyville, Illinois. She's a senior in Global Studies with a minor in French.  She is dedicated to social justice and is vice president of an organization on campus called Women of Pride.

Fiona Munro is a high school senior at Urbana High who enjoys writing, running, and texting.  She is excited to share what she thinks about cell phones, and to show off her brand-new Samsung Galaxy S6!

Kirk Sanders received his PhD from the Joint Classics-Philosophy Program in Ancient Philosophy at UT Austin.  He is an Associate Professor of Philosophy and the Classics at Illinois, and he currently chairs the Department of Philosophy.

Assata Zerai is a professor of sociology, director of the Center for African Studies, and associate dean of the Graduate College at the University of Illinois.  Her research interests include maternal and child health, inclusive religion, and gender in the U.S., Africa and its diaspora.

This program is part of IPRH's NEH 50–Questions in Common@Illinois event series.

Thanks to the Illinois Program for Research in the Humanities  for this information item.

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