2023 Summer Seminar Series

Free educational series presented by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and other contributors

NAU’s popular free Summer Seminar Series returns in person to explore the cultural, social, and geopolitical dimensions of today’s complex world.

During the sessions, parking is complimentary in nearby lots P61 and P47. Access via Zoom will be available. Links to video recordings for some sessions may be provided for later viewing.

The series is free to the public through the support of our generous donors.

Summer Seminar Series events are held Thursdays, June 8–July 20 (except July 6), from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the SBS West Building (070), room 200.

Upcoming events

Learning from the Pandemic and Beyond: Recognizing Emotional Labor in our Public Sector Organizations

June 8, 2023

Presenter: Dr. Sara Rinfret, associate vice provost for Faculty Affairs; professor, Department of Politics and International Affairs

The COVID-19 pandemic has pointed to numerous systemic issues in organizations that negatively affect the performance of employees. One specific concern is emotional labor—the uncompensated, yet often implicitly expected, management of emotions during personal and professional interactions to achieve professional goals. It involves actions such as managing one’s emotions during difficult situations, seeking to create specific emotions in others (e.g., supporting others), and even deep acting to conceal one’s true emotions. Current research has established that public agencies, including higher education, do not recognize the importance of performing emotional labor. As a result, organizations begin to experience a poor work climate, burnout, and inadequate compensation for jobs that require more emotional labor. This presentation presents data from public sector agencies (higher education and Arizona local government) to provide effective strategies for the future success of our organizations.

Participate via Zoom

https://nau.zoom.us/j/84013684899?pwd=ck9jQzN6V2pNN1ltNCtSelpTazl3dz09

Meeting ID: 840 1368 4899

Password: summer

Dr. Sara Rinfret

Re-envisioning the Climate Story: Why It’s Important to Laugh at Tragedy

June 15, 2023

Presenter: Peter Friederici, professor, School of Communication

Climate breakdown is a tragedy that’s disrupting communities and ecosystems around the world. So, why would it make sense to laugh at it? The reason pertains to how we use stories to structure and explain our world, as Professor Friederici explores in his recent book, Beyond Climate Breakdown. Almost all mainstream narratives of climate change have attributes of classical tragedy; meaning their plots are pre-ordained, and their rules are unchangeable. They leave little room for action. But analyzing these narratives and imagining how they might be re-conceived as comedy presents opportunities for imagining our futures in ways that are more adaptive, democratic, and evolutionary. These emotional frameworks—hope, and perhaps fun—may help us develop effective alternatives we haven’t yet imagined.

Participate via Zoom

https://nau.zoom.us/j/81306461680?pwd=UGtMM0VIRlZkR0VweUN1L0l0bkw0QT09

Meeting ID: 813 0646 1680

Password: summer

Peter Friederici

The Internal Cost of Russia’s War with Ukraine

June 22, 2023

Presenter: Dr. Gretchen Knudson Gee, chair and teaching professor, Department of Politics and International Affairs

This session examines the cost of the Ukrainian war for Russia and its people. Far beyond the cost of weapons and materials, Russia bears punishing consequences that will impact it for decades. The war affects Russia and its citizens politically, socially, and psychologically, as its people and government distort their systems and way of life to conform to President Putin’s vision of the war.

Participate via Zoom

https://nau.zoom.us/j/89207237903?pwd=LzJjeHdBOXN5STBtNDFvUTNuZWtzQT09

Meeting ID: 892 0723 7903

Password: summer

Dr. Gretchen Knudson Gee               

Technology’s Impacts on Mind and Brain: Myths, Facts, and Strategies

June 29, 2023

Presenter: Dr. Michelle Miller, professor, Department of Psychological Sciences

How are memory and attention changing in a world dominated by technology? Do we need to protect our intellectual abilities from the effects of smartphones and search engines, and if so, what are the best ways to do this—especially when few of us can afford to opt out of technology altogether? In this interactive seminar, participants will learn how to make the most of technology’s advantages while avoiding the risks, with a special emphasis on practical applications of the latest research on memory and technology.

Participate via Zoom

https://nau.zoom.us/j/82326593065?pwd=RWlEUlQwZEc2Snd4VFptdUJzVWptdz09

Meeting ID: 823 2659 3065

Password: summer

Dr. Michelle Miller

Using Intensive Longitudinal Designs to Study Lifespan Development and Promote Healthy Aging

July 13, 2023

Presenter: Dr. Eric Cerino, assistant professor, Department of Psychological Sciences

Intensive longitudinal designs, like daily diaries and ecological momentary assessments, can be used to identify ways to maximize health and well-being in everyday life and promote healthy aging throughout adulthood. We will share findings from several research projects that use these designs to identify daily psychosocial determinants of health outcomes in older adulthood, including normative cognitive aging and non-normative cognitive impairment (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias). This presentation will share how we can use results from these types of designs to inform more personalized approaches to healthy aging in our community.

Participate via Zoom

https://nau.zoom.us/j/89587545381?pwd=R01Eb3J4UE9jVGF6ay94cUtpTUhmQT09

Meeting ID: 895 8754 5381

Password: summer

Dr. Eric Cerino 

Emerging Issues in Latino Politics

July 20, 2023

Presenter: Dr. Stephen Nuno-Perez, professor, Politics and International Affairs

The Hispanic population in the United States is among the oldest and youngest members of our country with unique migration patterns that have experienced a long political history. As new migration patterns emerge, the relationship between Latinos and the changing demographics of the country will bring new challenges to our political system.

Participate via Zoom

https://nau.zoom.us/j/89587545381?pwd=R01Eb3J4UE9jVGF6ay94cUtpTUhmQT09

Meeting ID: 895 8754 5381

Password: summer

Dr. Stephen Nuno-Perez           

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Support the series

This series is made possible thanks to the generosity of our community members. We hope you will continue your support with a donation to the series. Thank you!

• Donate online
• By check: Designate “fund #5466” on a check to NAU Foundation, PO Box 4094, Flagstaff, AZ 86011.