UK Arts and Sciences Offers Experts to Public With COVID-19 Virtual Speaker Series

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 12, 2020) — As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, we — as a society — search for answers. COVID-19, first and foremost, is a public health crisis. But it also leaves us with pressing questions beyond health care.

The University of Kentucky is home to some of the world’s most renowned thought leaders, and they stand ready to answer those questions.

On Thursday, May 14, the College of Arts and Sciences will launch the “A&S From Anywhere” virtual speaker series to keep the campus community — and anyone interested in expanding their knowledge — apprised of the latest ideas on COVID-19 and its effects.

“We in the college recognize our responsibility in these stressful times to fulfill our mission of sharing our research with the UK community and the world at large,” Mark Kornbluh, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said. “With the aid of technology, we can connect our experts with alumni, students, the community and beyond — for everyone’s benefit.”

At 12:30 p.m. May 14, faculty members with expertise in various disciplines will discuss and answer questions surrounding increased racism and violence in our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The “Racism and Other Forms of Violence in Times of COVID-19” presenters include:

• Cristina Alcalde, associate dean of inclusion and internationalization and professor in the Department of Gender and Women's Studies;
• Frances Henderson, associate professor in Gender and Women's Studies;
• Claire Renzetti, professor and chair of the Department of Sociology;
• Karrieann Soto Vega, assistant professor in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric and Digital Studies, and Latin American, Caribbean and Latino Studies Program;
• Melissa Stein, associate professor in Gender and Women's Studies;
• Sharon Yam, assistant professor in Writing, Rhetoric and Digital Studies, Gender and Women's Studies, and the Center for Equality and Social Justice; and
• Srimati Basu, professor in Gender and Women’s Studies and the Department of Anthropology.

To register for this Zoom event, go here.

The following week, at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, May 21, the college will offer “Victory over Germs?: Lessons from the Past.”

The talk will focus on how the theory that germs caused diseases changed the American societal landscape in the 19th century. Additionally, the discussion will focus on what can be learned from past pandemics. The talk will feature Melanie Goan, professor of history, in discussion with Kornbluh.

To register, go here.

Additionally, videos with helpful advice and resources from faculty members in the Department of Psychology are available here:

• Tom Adams, assistant professor and clinical psychologist, “Anxiety Advice During COVID-19”;
• Christal Badour, assistant professor, “Maintaining Psychological Health During Pandemic”;​ and
• Shannon Sauer-Zavala, assistant professor of clinical psychology and licensed psychologist, “Mental Health Resources.”

These talks and resources are free and available to the public. Events will continue to be added. For more information, visit the virtual speaker series website.