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The Phelps Colloquium lecture series gives faculty opportunities to hear about research taking place campus-wide, spend time with colleagues outside their normal spheres, and promote cross-school and cross-discipline collaborations.

The program was founded in 2004 by former provost Chuck Phelps.

The talks are preceded by a small reception and followed by an opportunity for informal discussion.

(Dis)trust in America: How Divergent Trust in Science Fuels Partisan Polarization

Twenty-first century American politics has been tumultuous, with common explanations for the divide including media changes, elite polarization, and tribalism. This project argues that the most concerning development is the polarization of trust in scientific institutions. Partisan realignment has resulted in both parties operating from fundamentally distinct epistemologies, complicating their ability to collaborate on collective goods.

October 23, 2024
4:00-5:30 p.m.
Eisenberg Rotunda, Schlegel Hall, River Campus

Presented by:
James Druckman, Ph.D.
Martin Brewer Anderson Professor of Political Science

Register

Advancements in Ophthalmic Optics: Innovations and Future Directions in Eye Care

Optics plays a crucial role in advancing eye care, encompassing innovations in eye prescriptions, imaging diagnostics, intraocular lenses and contact lenses that address widespread vision conditions. This review will explore the latest advances in ophthalmic optics and envision the future of eye diagnostics and correction technologies.

November 20, 2024
4:00-5:30 p.m.
Evarts Lounge, School of Nursing

Presented by:
Susana Marcos, Ph.D.
Nicholas George Endowed Professor in Optics
Professor of Optics and Ophthalmology
Professor in the Center for Visual Science
David R. Williams Director, Center for Visual Science

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Defining ‘Best Interest’ in Pediatric Care: A Comparative Analysis of US and UK Approaches

Nearly all pediatric guidelines emphasize that parental decisions should prioritize the child’s best interest. This raises many questions: What is meant by best? Who defines what is best? And How is the best interest standard applied in particular cases? In this talk, I will 1) explore the concept of “best interest” in pediatric decision-making; and 2) compare and contrast the role of the best interest standard in the US and the UK using a case study.

March 5, 2025
4:00-5:30 p.m.
Location: TBD

Presented by:
Lainie Ross, M.D.
Dean’s Professorship in the Department of Health Humanities and Bioethics
Chair of the Department of Health Humanities and Bioethics
Director, Paul M. Schyve, MD Center for Bioethics in the Department of Health Humanities and Bioethics
Professor in the Department of Neurology, the Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Philosophy

Register

The Electronic Wind Instrument and the Reorganization of the Jazz World

Digital recording emerged in the mid-1970s alongside musicians’ experiments with digital synthesizers, drum machines, and sampling devices. This talk examines the disruption caused by these technologies through the Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI), developed from a US-Japan corporate exchange. The digitization of jazz culture highlights a conflict between the ideals of musical freedom practiced by musicians and the neoliberal concept of “freedom,” a tension that persists today.

April 23, 2025
4:00-5:30 p.m.
Location: TBD

Presented by:
Darren Mueller, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Musicology
Affiliate Faculty, Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media
Affiliate Faculty, Visual & Cultural Studies
Eastman School of Music

Register

Questions and Accommodation Requests?

Contact: Adele Coelho
adele.coelho@rochester.edu