Wes in the News

Seth Redfield, assistant professor of astronomy, will participate in NASA press conference that will detail the most recent findings from its IBEX (Interstellar Boundary Explorer) mission, live on Jan. 31.

According to NASA mission samples and examines “material from outside our solar system and the interstellar boundary region that surrounds our home in space.” Redfield’s research focuses on the interstellar boundary and interstellar dust clouds, known as local interstellar medium. NASA officials asked him to present at the press event as an independent researcher who is not directly involved in the mission. NASA’s full release on the event can be found here.

The Hartford Courant has an extensive profile of the 2012 Ring Family Wesleyan University Israeli Film Festival. The festival features FREE admission, begins on Feb. 2 and runs into March. Check the complete schedule – with trailers – here.

The Wesleyan University Israeli Film Festival is organized by Dalit Katz, adjunct assistant professor of religion and Israel Studies and cultural coordinator of Israeli events at Wesleyan University. It is sponsored by the Ring Family, Jewish and Israel Studies and co- sponsored by the Film Studies Department.

Tags: The Hartford Courant

In a recent article in The Hartford Courant, Laura Stark, assistant professor of science in society, assistant professor of sociology, assistant professor of environmental studies, discusses the case of a researcher who had falsified data on a famous study and the wide-ranging implications of his actions on his students and others. Stark is also the author of Behind Closed Doors: IRBs and the Makings of Ethical Research, which is published by The University of Chicago Press.

Tags: The Hartford Courant

According to USA Today, data analyzed by The Wesleyan Media Project indicate that, since the Citizens United decision, the majority of ads run by so-called Super PACs have been positive rather than negative. The Super PACs, unions, corporations and others were allowed by the Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United to fund ads independent of specific candidates.

Tags: US News and World Report

Commenting in a piece about memory for the UK-based London Daily Mail, John Seamon, professor of psychology, professor of neuroscience and behavior, says that our sharp memories of dramatic or life-changing moments may not be that sharp at all. Instead, we may be remembering our most recent recollection of that moment rather than recalling the actual memory of it. Because of this, our “memories” become modified. Seamon’s comments appear near the bottom of the piece.

Tags: The London Daily Mail

Commenting in a story appearing in The Chicago Tribune and the AP, Alex Dupuy, Chair, African America Studies Program, Class of 1958 Professor of Sociology, says despite the hundreds of millions of dollars of aid that poured into Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, it’s difficult to see any signs of reconstruction. “I haven’t seen any concrete evidence of recovery underway,” he says.

Tags: The Chicago Tribune

Tula Telfair, professor of art, has a new exhibit titled “Out of Sight: Imaginary Landscapes” premiering at the Forum Gallery beginning January 5 and running through February 11.

According to the gallery the exhibit is of “panoptic paintings that transport the viewer to emotive land formations derived entirely from the artist’s mind. Representing both a place and moment in time not reachable by mankind, these landscapes offer a private glance at the beauty and majesty of nature.”

The Forum Gallery’s full announcement can be found here. An opening will be held January 5th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Forum Gallery at 730 Fifth Avenue at 57th Street, NY, NY

Tags: Campus Community News

The New York Times explores the increasing attention being paid to Animal Studies at universities across the country, and features two Wesleyan faculty in the piece: Lori Gruen, chair and professor of philosophy, professor of feminist, gender, and sexuality studies, and Kari Weil, University Professor of Letters. Both have researched, published, and lectured widely in the field.

Tags: The New York Times

The Chronicle of Higher Education continues it’s monthly check-in with John Gudvangen, director of financial aid, and finds him and current students discussing the process and intent behind financial aid awards. Perspectives and suppositions on both sides are explored, and Gudvangen comes away with a possible survey idea that may help him refine his efforts.

Tags: The Chronicle of Higher Education

Commenting in a story by The Hartford Courant, Jonathan Cutler, chair and associate professor of sociology, discusses a lock-out of workers by a Connecticut nursing home owner. Cutler likens the tactic to “a nuclear option” by management, and discusses some of the potential outcomes.

Tags: The Hartford Courant