Projects & Series
ROOM CHANGE: Please note that the rooms have been changed to accommodate more reservations.
As part of the year-long "Vancouver Evolution Festival" commemorating the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth, Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia are hosting a free public lecture series at SFU Vancouver with a novel twist on the great man's contributions. Titled "Darwin and You", six evening talks by local experts from SFU and UBC will explore the following topics:
- [FULL] Thursday, January 29, 2009, Room 1800 at Harbour Centre
Darwin and his times (click here for bio-sketch and extended abstract)
Dr. John Beatty and Dr. Greg Bole
There is no doubt that Charles Darwin was one of the most brilliant thinkers in modern history, but few of us know much about him. Who was the man behind the greatest contribution to the field of biology? In the first of this six part seminar series, UBC Philosophy Professor John Beatty, and Dr. Greg Bole of UBC’s Zoology Department will present us with a realistic look at Darwin’s life and times. Watch video of recorded lecture (requires QuickTime).
- [10 seats left] Thursday,
February 5, 2009, Room 1900 at Harbour Centre
Please note new lecture room number.
Darwin and your health (click here for bio-sketch and extended abstract)
Dr. Leticia Avilés
Why do we age, suffer from allergies, or develop cancer? Why are we burdened with genetic diseases? Dr. Leticia Avilés, Associate Professor of Zoology at UBC, believes we can use Darwin’s theory of evolution to make us healthier. Her talk will consider how basic evolutionary principles can provide insights into human disease and treatment. Watch video of recorded lecture (requires QuickTime).
- [FULL] Thursday, February 12, 2009, Room 1900 at Harbour Centre
Darwin and your past (click here for bio-sketch and extended abstract)
Dr. Mark Collard
Perhaps one of the most intriguing topics in Biology is the evolution of our own species. So what evolutionary changes have brought us to where we are today? Join Dr. Mark Collard, SFU Professor and Canada Research Chair in Human Evolutionary Studies, for an interdisciplinary look back at our own pre-history. Watch video of recorded lecture (requires QuickTime).
- [FULL] Thursday, February 19, 2009, Room 1900 at Harbour Centre
Darwin and your brain (click here for bio-sketch and extended abstract)
Dr. Bernie Crespi
How has your brain been shaped by recent evolution? Can an evolutionary perspective shed light on consciousness, madness, and genius? Dr. Crespi is University Professor of Evolutionary Biology at SFU, and he will present his recently-published, provocative theories, supported by the latest human genome data, on how evolution has made our brains and how our brains have made us who we are. Watch video of recorded lecture (requires QuickTime).
- [FULL] Thursday, February 26, 2009, Room 1900 at Harbour Centre
Darwin and your sex life (click here for bio-sketch and extended abstract)
Dr. Elizabeth Elle
Not many of us spend time thinking about how and where Charles Darwin fits into our sex lives. But in fact the good gentleman’s ideas have a lot more to do with sex than most of us realize. How much can we learn about our own sexual nature from the study of the evolution of sex in other organisms? Join Dr. Elizabeth Elle, Associate Professor in SFU’s Department of Biological Sciences, for a fresh look at the mating game. Watch video of recorded lecture (requires QuickTime).
- [FULL] Thursday, March 5, 3009, Room 1900 at Harbour Centre
Darwin and your beliefs (click here for bio-sketch and extended abstract)
Dr. Ara Norenzayan
Evolution and religion have been at loggerheads for 150 years. But can Darwin’s theory offer a scientific explanation for the nature and origins of religious belief itself? UBC psychologist Dr. Ara Norenzayan suggests that this is possible, and will present recent and fascinating evidence from the cognitive and social sciences that offers the spectre of a new natural science of religion. Watch video of recorded lecture (requires QuickTime).
Lectures take at Room 1800 (Jan. 29 and Feb.5) and Room 1900 (Feb.12-Mar.5) Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings at 7:00 pm. Seating is limited so reservations are recommended. Email your reservation to cs-science@sfu.ca
Sponsors: Simon Fraser University (Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences and Science) and University of British Columbia (Faculty of Science)
For information about the Vancouver Evolution Festival, visit
www.vanevo.ca
