Dean’s Conversation Series
George Washington University's Columbian College of Arts & Sciences (CCAS) hosts periodic panel discussions on topics ranging from the economy to health science. Moderated by CCAS Dean Paul Wahlbeck, the panels are composed of faculty and alumni whose expertise centers on navigating today's challenges.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Future event details will be posted when available.
PAST EVENTS
Reaching for the Stars — Big Equipment for Big Science
Dean Wahlbeck spoke with panelists about the incredible images of space made by large instruments such as the James Webb Space Telescope, and the significance of these images for our society.
- Reaching for the Stars Panelists
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- Alexander J. van der Horst
Associate Professor and Department Chair of Physics Alexander van der Horst is an astrophysicist whose research on a variety of high-energy cosmic transient sources utilizes state-of-the-art technology.
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- Leah Brooks
Professor of Economics and Public Policy and Public Administration Leah Brooks studies federal spending on common goods, such as infrastructure and research, along with the long-term economic effects that result from federal funding - or lack therof.
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- Nicholas White
Research Professor of Physics Nicholas White is an astrophysicist with a storied career, serving over 25 years at NASA and earning a Presidential Meritorious Rank Award in 2004 for his leadership before joining GW in 2019.
Boosting Trust in Health Science
Dean Wahlbeck spoke with panelists about issues relating to scientific integrity, ethics and the role of science in medical applications and advances.
- Boosting Trust in Health Science Panelists
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David DeGrazia
Elton Professor of Philosophy David DeGrazia specializes in bioethics, animal ethics, and the study of moral status.
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Cynthia Dowd
Professor of Chemistry and Department Chair Cynthia Dowd studies structure-based design of drug-resistant diseases.
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Aleksandar Jeremic
Professor of Biology Aleksandar Jeremic examines molecular structures in mediating basic biological processes.
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Sheryl Jacobs
BA ’91, MPH ’93, P’24
CCAS alumna and National Council member Sheryl Jacobs' executive leadership experience is in both big pharma and biotech industries. She is former VP of Global Development Operations at Amgen.
The Economy
Dean Wahlbeck engaged panelists in a discussion of the current economic context, as well as the impact of governmental and financial institutions on economic growth.
- The Economy Panelists
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Sarah Binder
Sarah Binder is a professor of political science whose research work focuses on the politics of legislative institutions, including their origins, development and impact on policy outcomes.
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Tara Sinclair
Tara Sinclair is a professor of economics and international affairs and director of the GW Center for Economic Research, which focuses on modeling and forecasting macroeconomic fluctuations and trends.
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Kate Yang
Kate Yang is an associate professor of public policy and public administration whose research examines how state governments address local government finances and fiscal stress.
Election Roundup
In the leadup to the presidential election, Dean Wahlbeck and panelists discussed campaign strategy and election expectations, as well as a final look at top issues that may impact election outcome.
- Election Roundup Panelists
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Danny Hayes
Danny Hayes is a professor of political science whose research focuses on the media, public opinion, election campaigns, women and politics.
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Peter Loge
Peter Loge is the SMPA Director, an associate professor of media and public affairs, and director of the Project on Ethics in Political Communication whose expertise centers on communications and political strategy.
Jasmine Smith
Jasmine Smith is an associate professor of political science whose work examines how Black American’s racial identity shapes political attitudes and behavior, and interactions with political institutions.
Immigration and Migration
CCAS Dean Paul Wahlbeck moderated a panel discussion analyzing the current state of immigration and migration, with a focus on historical and cultural perspectives.
- Immigration and Migration Panelists
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Elizabeth Chacko
Elizabeth Chacko is a professor of geography and international affairs who, as a migration specialist, examines the flow of people, capital and ideas and their impacts on social, cultural, economic, and urban geographies.
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Thomas Guglielmo
Thomas Guglielmo is a professor of American studies and history whose research interests include race and ethnic studies, immigration, and twentieth-century U.S. social, cultural, political and military history.
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Kimberly Morgan
Kimberly Morgan is a professor of political science and international affairs whose work examines the politics shaping public policies in Western Europe and the United States, with particular interests in immigration and the welfare state.
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Elizabeth Vaquera
Elizabeth Vaquera directs the Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute and is an associate professor of sociology and public policy and public administration. Her research focuses on vulnerable and diverse groups, particularly Latinos/as and immigrants.
In Photos: Dean's Conversation Series