Real Conversations. Real Issues. Real Clark.

Topic: Difficult Dialogues: A Way of Living and Learning in these Times

After presenting a framework for dialogue as an orientation and practice, and its significance in teaching, learning, and living in these times, Professors DeMeulenaere and Park will facilitate a dialogue on what makes dialogue difficult, and how we might create and belong to different dialogic communities at Clark.

Facilitated by Professors Jie Park (Education) and Eric DeMeulenaere (Education)

Topic: AI Futures: Between Buzz and Reality

Artificial Intelligence seems to be reshaping the world we live in—but is it leading us toward progress or peril? In this session, we’ll dive into the promises and pitfalls of generative AI, exploring how it’s transforming education, creativity, work, and daily life. Framing the conversation through both optimistic and critical lenses, we’ll invite students to reflect on urgent questions of trust, ethics, and human agency in the age of intelligent machines. This is not a technical tutorial, but a wide-ranging, open dialogue designed to spark curiosity, critical thinking, and meaningful discussion about the future students are stepping into—and influencing.

Facilitated by Professors Matt Malsky (Visual & Performing Arts) and Eduard Arriaga (Language, Literature, and Culture)

Topic: Why is inequality bad for your health?

Why do societies with more inequality have worse health? In what ways is disease inequality written on the body? Drawing from psychology, public health, and anthropology, this session explores how inequality shapes physical and mental health. Inequality itself and the ways people make sense of their unequal social positions in hierarchies has profound influences on health and well-being. Luckily, coming to recognize the social forces that produce inequality and individual resilience can be a catalyst for activism to challenge oppression more broadly.

Facilitated by Professors Ellen Foley (Sustainability & Social Justice) and Andrew Stewart (Psychology)

Topic: Innovating for Good: How Business Shapes Society

Businesses are no longer just engines of profit—they are powerful forces for social and environmental change. From pioneering circular fashion at Patagonia to transforming access to clean water through Unilever’s sustainability initiatives, today’s companies are using innovation to tackle real-world problems while creating lasting value. This session explores how business innovation can transform industries, empower communities, and help shape a more equitable future.

Facilitated by Professors Jing Zhang (Business) and Siti Parida (Business)

Topic: Are We Really Doomed? Living and Learning in the Age of Climate Crisis

The reality of climate change is becoming more obvious every day, but often it feels like our society isn’t taking it seriously. This interactive session will explore how public perception is changing and what that means for climate action. We will outline numerous creative pathways that students can engage with this issue at Clark and how Clark prepares students for careers in this space.

Facilitated by Professors Abby Frazier (Geography) and Lou Leonard (School of Climate, Environment & Society)

Topic: Fantastic Fungi: Biology, Symbiosis & Our Future

Fungi are all around us. Join us for a show and tell about fungi and their biology, their uses in our food and medicines, and how much they differ. We will explore fungi’s roles in forests, carbon cycling and ecosystem resilience. We will then consider how climate change poses threats to fungal behavior and diversity. Be ready for cameo appearances by frogs!

Facilitated by Professors Javier Tabima Restrepo (Biology) and David Hibbett (Biology)