Doing Disability research seminar, speaker series seek to bring ASU and community together

JONESBORO, Ark. — “Doing Disability: An Interdisciplinary Research Seminar and Speaker/Performance Series” is open to Arkansas State University and the wider community. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Arkansas State University is sponsoring its second year long, interdisciplinary research program for the university and the wider community.

“Doing Disability,“ this year’s project, seeks to bring faculty members, students, community members, activists and artists into conversation about “disability” in sociocultural, rather than medicalized, terms. Taking a multidisciplinary approach to disability scholarship, activism, and art, the “Doing Disability” project invites participants to examine disability broadly through the lenses of history, public policy, literature, cultural studies, gender studies, communications, media studies, architecture, ethics, economics, the arts and more.

Scholars and practitioners in the traditional “disability” fields (e.g., rehabilitation, special education, medicine, compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), etc.) who wish to think innovatively about disability in its social, historical, and cultural contexts are welcome.

The “Doing Disability” project’s two programs will work in tandem: first, a research seminar, sponsored by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences will provide faculty members and others engaged in disability-related scholarship or creative activity with a forum where they can present their work to colleagues across the disciplines.

The seminar will meet twice a month, with one presentation per meeting. Those who are interested in participating in the “Doing Disability” research seminar should send a one-page proposal that describes their interest in the seminar and a two-page curriculum vitae to Dean Lauri Umansky (lumansky@astate.edu) by August 15, 2013. For additional answers regarding dates and seminar information, contact Dr. Umansky at (870) 972-3973.

Secondly, a lecture/performance series will bring nationally or internationally prominent disability scholars, activists, and artists to the university. The seminar meetings and lectures will be scheduled so that visiting lecturers/performers will attend and participate in the seminar, allowing participants in the seminar to present their work to and get feedback from major Disability Studies figures from outside the university.

Donations from participating colleges and other organizations to help defray costs of the lecture and performance series are appreciated.