Speakers
Open for Registration
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Two days of conversation across the AI computing stack, from algorithms and data to tools, systems, and novel hardware.
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
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Learn about the generative AI tools currently available to campus through Technology Services and how they can be used responsibly in teaching, learning, and professional work. This session will introduce available tools, discuss appropriate use cases, and highlight key considerations such as data privacy, accuracy, accessibility, and human oversight.
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IGB Seminar - Faculty Spotlight Lecture "Nutritional Regulation of the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis - Implications for Stress and Cancer Resilience" Brett Loman, PhD Department of Animal Science; University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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Qiang Wu (UMN) talks about "Efficient sampling from CREM."
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Lectures and discussions on current work in research and development in nuclear engineering and related fields by staff, advanced students, and visiting speakers.
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Please join the Unit for Criticism and Interpretive Theory for our Fall 2026 Welcome Reception at Pizzeria Antica. The Director of the Unit, Dede Ruggles, will announce upcoming MCT speakers, Unit events, and more. All are welcome!
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
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Learn about the generative AI tools currently available to campus through Technology Services and how they can be used responsibly in teaching, learning, and professional work. This session will introduce available tools, discuss appropriate use cases, and highlight key considerations such as data privacy, accuracy, accessibility, and human oversight.
Thursday, September 3, 2026
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The Center for the Study of Global Gender Equity will host its fall reception on September 3rd 4-5:30pm (remarks at 4:30) at YMCA Latzer Hall. RSVP appreciated.
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Join us for the Ebert Center’s first screening of the season: A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), directed by Steven Spielberg and attributed as Stanley Kubrick’s final work. The film will be introduced by Ebert Fellows mentor Isaac Feldberg, critic at rogerebert.com. Food truck and concessions will be available at 6 p.m.
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Attend the Ebert Center's first film of the season—a free screening of "A.I. Artificial Intelligence" (2001), attributed as Stanley Kubrick’s final work. RogerEbert.com film critic and Ebert Fellows mentor Isaac Feldberg will introduce the film, which is directed by Steven Spielberg and stars Jude Law and Haley Joel Osment...
Friday, September 4, 2026
Tuesday, September 8, 2026
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IGB Seminar - Director's Office "Biology by Design: From Directed Evolution to Autonomous Experimentation" Huimin Zhao, PhD Steven L. Miller Chair of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Professor of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Bioengineering; University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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Join Silvina Montrul as she explores how Brazilian Portuguese is evolving across spoken and written forms. Study of 72 native speakers Education impacts grammar & comprehension Some language changes are happening across ALL speakers Discover how schooling may actually drive language evolution.
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Our first talk will be on Tuesday, September 8, 12-1 PM Central with Dr. Krista Habing. Dr. Habing earned her B.S. in Bioengineering at Illinois in 2020 and her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Oregon Health and Science University in 2025, and is currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Naba Lab at the University of Illinois Chicago. She will discuss her doct
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Lectures and discussions on current work in research and development in nuclear engineering and related fields by staff, advanced students, and visiting speakers.
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Please join the Unit for Criticism and the Mellon Sawyer Seminar for a Modern Critical Theory lecture by Chad Wellmon (Germanic Languages & Literatures, University of Virginia) on Theory in the University.
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
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Join us on the back patio to gather with the humanities community at Illinois.
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Welcoming Voices: Rights, Resources & Resilience September 9 | 5:30pm | Cityview Events and Meeting Center, Illinois Terminal, 4th floor, 45 East University Avenue, Champaign, IL 61820
Thursday, September 10, 2026
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The International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 aims to raise awareness of the role of women in agrifood systems and the challenges they face. This presentation will discuss advances in understanding the empowerment of women farmers and addressing their needs. Ruth Meinzen-Dick is a Research Fellow Emeritus at the International Food Policy Research Institute.
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Celebrate the launch of “Quinceañeras: Latinidades and Girlhood in Popular Culture” (University of Illinois Press), co-edited by two alumni and an emerita professor from the Institute of Communications Research.
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Celebrate the launch of “Quinceañeras: Latinidades and Girlhood in Popular Culture” (University of Illinois Press). Edited by Jillian M. Báez (PhD ’09, communications and media, ICR), Diana Leon-Boys (PhD ’20, communications and media, ICR), and Institute of Communications Research Professor Emerita Angharad N. Valdivia (PhD ’91, communications and media, ICR).
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Prof. Keidrick Roy (Dartmouth College) speaks on the topic of his prize-winning book, American Dark Age: Racial Feudalism and the Rise of Black Liberalism (Princeton, 2024), showing how Black intellectuals challenged ideas of “racial feudalism” inspired by the medieval past...
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Join us for a lecture with Keidrick Roy, associate professor of Government at Dartmouth College and author of "American Dark Age: Racial Feudalism and the Rise of Black Liberalism" (Princeton, 2024), a prize-winning study of how medieval legacies of feudalism haunt liberal democracy in the United States.
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Learn how Black thinkers in early America challenged ideas of racial feudalism inspired by the medieval past. Keidrick Roy is associate professor of Government at Dartmouth College and author of *American Dark Age: Racial Feudalism and the Rise of Black Liberalism* (Princeton, 2024), a prize-winning study of how medieval legacies of haunt liberal democracy in the U.S.
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SPEAK stands for Song, Poetry, Art, and Knowledge. It is an open-mic public performance space at Krannert Art Museum curated by local artist, Shaya Robinson, featuring guest performers and welcoming all to the mic.
Friday, September 11, 2026
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Friday, September 11 – Micah Cameron-Harp, Assistant Professor, Kansas State University Impacts of intertemporal arbitrage on resource depletion: Evidence from Multi-Year Flex Accounts in Kansas
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Preparing an elevator pitch regarding your research is crucial for networking, being on the market, and finding a job. Please join us for this exciting cosponsored event by CSGGE and GWS to hear your colleagues who are minoring in GRID, GWS, or Queer Studies about their groundbreaking research.
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Faculty and graduate students are invited to register for this workshop with visiting scholar Keidrick Roy, to discuss part of a new project on ideas of patriotism in early Black America, on Friday, September 11th from 3:00-5:00pm. The paper will be circulated to participants about a week in advance. Location TBA. Refreshments served. Contact symes@illinois.edu.
Saturday, September 12, 2026
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Conversation Café September 12 | 11am - 12pm | The Urbana Free Library, 210 W. Green St, Urbana, IL 61801
Sunday, September 13, 2026
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Inspired by the Human Library®, have a conversation with international neighbors and celebrate the diverse origins of everyone in our community! Neighbors at this event will be sharing various aspects about their personal stories and heritage cultures. Adults and kids are welcome to learn about different countries’ culture, language, cuisine, and more!
Monday, September 14, 2026
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Our Mr. Matsura, a feature documentary film, is the story of photographer Frank Matsura who journeyed from his native Japan to live in rural Washington State in the early 1900s. The film presents a picture of the “frontier” that departs from the existing popular culture narrative and celebrates the singular contribution of a community-building immigrant artist in America.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
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This talk examines how MBL used social media to mobilize mass anti-left sentiment yet failed to turn that energy into lasting political power. It argues that digital “indignation politics” can amplify outrage—but struggles to build durable institutions—helping explain the rise of Bolsonarismo’s more reactionary agenda.
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Lectures and discussions on current work in research and development in nuclear engineering and related fields by staff, advanced students, and visiting speakers.
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International Family Game Night September 15 | 4:30pm - 6:30pm | First Presbyterian Church, 302 W. Church St, Champaign
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Please join the Unit for Criticism for a Modern Critical Theory lecture by Danielle Chynoweth (Supervisor, Cunningham Township) on Democracy.
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
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In 1968, Alejo Hernández, a resident of Stanislaus County, California, sued the USDA because the county failed to implement the Food Stamp Program.
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Friday, September 18, 2026
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The Mosaic: A Welcoming Week Concert September 18 | 6pm - 8pm | Neil Street Plaza (Downtown Champaign Plaza), Neil St & Washington St, Champaign
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Monday, September 21, 2026
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
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Speaker: Kate Smith, Nothwestern University
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Lectures and discussions on current work in research and development in nuclear engineering and related fields by staff, advanced students, and visiting speakers.
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Please join the Unit for Criticism for a Modern Critical Theory lecture by Jonathan Rosa (Education, Stanford) on Semiotics.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Thursday, September 24, 2026
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Please join us for an opening reception to celebrate the acquisition of the first edition of Frankenstein and explore the life and career of Mary Shelley. Exhibit curator Lynne Thomas will give brief remarks, and refreshments will be served. This exhibit will be on display through Summer 2027.
Friday, September 25, 2026
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A half-day seminar featuring the stories scholars from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Ukraine and Cameroon about the state of higher education and global academic freedom today.
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Friday Forum & Conversation Cafe: BENIVENIDOS: The Works and Murals of Jose Vazquez September 25 | 12pm - 1pm | University YMCA, 1001 S Wright St, Champaign
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Readings in theme with "Up Against Erasure," with: Andrea Giugni + Malina Infante + Nathan Metz; Lisa Low.
Saturday, September 26, 2026
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Celebrate backyard bugs and bats at the free Central Illinois Bat Festival, featuring expert talks, guided hikes, family activities, vendors, food trucks, a costume contest, and an evening bat acoustic walk with a live ecologcation demonstration.
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Join us at the third annual Central Illinois Bat Festival — a free two-part celebration of bats, bugs, and science! This year, we’re celebrating backyard bugs and bats!
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Readings in theme with “Up Against Erasure,” with: Steven Bergmark + Mason McVeigh + Diana Towne; Gabriela Garcia.
Monday, September 28, 2026
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
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Two days of conversation across the AI computing stack, from algorithms and data to tools, systems, and novel hardware.
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Speaker: Arnab Banerjee
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David Gottlieb Memorial Lecture Ikuro Abe, PhD Professor Emeritus, The University of Tokyo Professor, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama "Unusual Enzyme Reactions in Natural Product Biosynthesis"
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Please join the Unit for Criticism for a Modern Critical Theory lecture by Lisa Saltzman (History of Art, Bryn Mawr) on Walter Benjamin.
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
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Two days of conversation across the AI computing stack, from algorithms and data to tools, systems, and novel hardware.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Lunch talk "Sexual Harassment and the Geography of Service Work in the US" will offer hybrid format with in-person in room 306 Coble Hall and via Zoom. Lunch provided with registration. This presentation, which is pulled from the opening chapter of working manuscript, Hands Off: A History of Fighting Back against Sexual Harassment in the American Workplace.
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Join us for a lecture by Justin Jackson titled "Occupying America: War and the Infrastructure of US Power in a Globalizing World."
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Join us for an info session to learn more about the Humanities in Action program and receive insight into the application process.
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SPEAK stands for Song, Poetry, Art, and Knowledge. It is an open-mic public performance space at Krannert Art Museum curated by local artist, Shaya Robinson, featuring guest performers and welcoming all to the mic.
Friday, October 2, 2026
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
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Lectures and discussions on current work in research and development in nuclear engineering and related fields by staff, advanced students, and visiting speakers.
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Please join the Unit for Criticism for a Modern Critical Theory lecture by Maryam Kashani (Gender & Women's Studies, UIUC) on Visual Theory.
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Thursday, October 8, 2026
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“Staying with the Trouble of Preservation: The Ambivalent Politics of Deletion in Digital Societies.” Presented by Nanna Bonde Thylstrup (Art and Cultural Studies, University of Copenhagen).
Friday, October 9, 2026
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This is a panel discussion with artists and scholars on Everett’s Erasure. Each panelist will provide a different window into what’s beyond Erasure or what reading Erasure inspires (broadly conceived).
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Sunday, October 11, 2026
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
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Join us for a conversation with current and former students who have taken active roles in community-engaged research and leadership. Three students/alums will be joined by their faculty mentors. Presented by the Center for the Study of Global Gender Equity and the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute, this session will be facilitated by Dr. Kevin Tan (Social Work).
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Please join the Unit for Criticism for a Modern Critical Theory lecture by John Lurz (English, Tufts) on Poststructuralism.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
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Join us as we highlight the incredible work of each of Humanities Without Walls' Reciprocity and Redistribution Grand Research Challenge projects in four virtual showcases over the 2026-27 academic year. During each event, 2-3 teams will present their projects and share a bit about the centrality of reciprocal and redistributive methods to their work.
Thursday, October 15, 2026
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Dr. Tingting Zhang, School of Labor and Employment Relations gives lunch talk, "Pushed out and Boxed In: Gendered Silence and Exit Orientation in China's Tech Industry" on Thursday, October 15th. She argues that silence in such environment is not a uniform response to constrained institutional conditions, but it shaped by the gendered social positions workers occupy.
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Professor Ángel García (English/Creative Writing) will read from his latest collection, Indifferent Cities.
Friday, October 16, 2026
Monday, October 19, 2026
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Lectures and discussions on current work in research and development in nuclear engineering and related fields by staff, advanced students, and visiting speakers.
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Please join the Unit for Criticism for a Modern Critical Theory lecture by Greta LaFleur (American Studies, Yale) on Gender.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Friday, October 23, 2026
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Please join us for a presentation and discussion with Amber Holkenbrink, Principal Experience Designer at Respawn Wisconsin. Amber Holkenbrink is a Principal Experience Designer currently working on Apex Legends. She has worked in the game industry for over 16 years and has contributed to the art, animation, and design of more than 30 titles.
Monday, October 26, 2026
Tuesday, October 27, 2026
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Speaker: Hannah Manetsch
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Lectures and discussions on current work in research and development in nuclear engineering and related fields by staff, advanced students, and visiting speakers.
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Please join the Unit for Criticism for a Modern Critical Theory lecture by Rob Rushing (European Languages & Transcultural Studies, UCLA) on Biopolitics.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Thursday, October 29, 2026
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Professor Gillen D'Arcy Wood (English and Earth Science & Environmental Change) will discuss his book, The Wake of HMS Challenger: How a Legendary Victorian Voyage Tells the Story of Our Oceans’ Decline.
