The University of Toledo Department of Political Science and Public Administration is reprising a thought-provoking speaker series at the Toledo Lucas County Public Library beginning Wednesday, Sept. 6.
Great Decisions will feature faculty members from across the University presenting on foreign policy topics ranging from economic warfare to global famine to politics in Latin America. These topics are in line with the Foreign Policy Association’s long-standing discussion program of the same name, which proposes a new slate of topics and corresponding resources each year.
Voss
Dr. Joel Voss, associate professor of political science, is the organizer of the local speaker series.
“The idea is to get the community engaged with these important issues in foreign policy, without the partisan bent that so often takes over political conversations,” Voss said. “It’s also an opportunity to highlight the incredible expertise of the faculty at UToledo.”
Last year’s inaugural series at the public library proved a success, with Voss reporting around 60 attendees at each discussion. The discussions are free and open to the campus and area communities.
“The Toledo Lucas County Public Library has been a fantastic host, and the downtown location enables us to particularly reach beyond our student population,” he said.
Each session consists of a brief presentation followed by a Q&A. Each session takes place between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the main branch of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library at 325 Michigan St., Toledo. Onsite parking is free.
The speaker series schedule is:
• Wednesday, Sept. 6: Voss will kick off this year’s series with a presentation on economic warfare, drawing on examples related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• Monday, Sept. 11: Megan Mattimoe, a lecturer in the College of Law, will present on the identification and evolution of war crimes, again drawing on examples from the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
• Monday, Sept. 18: Dr. Jetsabe Cáceres, chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, will present on global famine, including the effects of disrupted grain shipments following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
• Monday, Sept. 25: Dr. Asma M. Abdel Halim, a professor in the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, will present on “Iran at a Crossroads,” with an emphasis on women’s rights in the country.
• Monday, Oct. 2: Dr. Qun Wang, an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, will present on the current relationship between China and the United States.
• Monday, Oct. 9: Dr. Charles Beatty-Medina, a professor in the Department of History, will present on contemporary political trends in Latin America.
For more information, visit the Great Decisions series website.
