The Commons will host Red Hot Research events in fall 2024

LAWRENCE — Red Hot Research returns for more sessions this fall at the University of Kansas, offering a fast-paced, presentation-style event as a way of introducing KU colleagues to one another and their research.

Organized by The Commons, all events will take place in Watson Library, 3 West. The first event begins at 4 p.m. Sept. 20.

At each event, five presenters each speak for six minutes about a specific element of their research, which is followed by an opportunity for informal conversation and reception. Based on the popular presentation style PechaKucha, this adapted form offers presenters more flexibility in how they share their work.

The first event will be presented in conjunction with the Center for Teaching Excellence and feature the overarching topic Pedagogy & Purpose. Speakers include:

• Dea Follmer, Center for Teaching Excellence/psychology, and Mark Mort, ecology & evolutionary biology.
• Chris Fischer, physics & astronomy.
• Imogen Herrick, curriculum & teaching.
• Shannon O’Lear, geography/environmental studies, and Tami Albin, KU Libraries.
• Alex Red Corn, Indigenous Studies Program/Sovereign Partnerships and Indigenous Initiatives.

A second Red Hot Research event will take place at 4 p.m. Oct. 25 and include:

• Shannon Stewart, theatre & dance.
• Melinda Adams, geography & atmospheric science/Indigenous Studies Program.
• Tom McKenna, Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research.
• Elise Kirk, design/photo media.
• Sam Zipper, geology/Kansas Geological Survey.

The Red Hot Graduate Research session is curated and emceed by Meg Smith, who is pursuing a master's degree in museum studies and works for The Commons as a graduate assistant. This event will take place at 4 p.m. Nov. 8.

In keeping with the goals of this series, presenters are asked to consider how other disciplinary perspectives might offer helpful ideas to their work; the likely next steps for the research; and challenges that they face in conducting the research. In turn, audience members are asked to, from their own perspectives, offer insights, questions and ideas.

Save the dates for Red Hot Research sessions this fall. Visit The Commons’ website for further details.