University of Missouri-St. Louis, Division of Continuing Education

When: October 27-28, 2011
Where: UMSL, J.C. Penney Conference Center, Summit Lounge

Science in the City

The Center for the Humanities will hold its 17th annual What is a City? Conference on October 27-28, 2011. The interdisciplinary conference is the Center's signature project, focusing on a different theme each year, e.g., parks & gardens, food in urban culture, environment & health, infrastructure, urban design & historic preservation, and disaster & recovery. This year's theme is "Science in the City." Like many cities, St. Louis has exceptional assets involved in scientific research and education, such as the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Science Center, and several universities. And of course cities and universities across the country are engaged in the pursuit of scientific research and trying to improve their residents' science education and literacy. One of the inspirations for our choice of this theme for the 2011 conference was a special issue on cities and scientists of the journal Nature in Oct. 2010. This focused on the interaction of natural environments and urban societies as "regions of innovation" where science is prospering.

City conference speakers and audience will explore relations of scientists, research, and science education to urban problem solving, science-based public policy, and a scientifically literate citizenry. We note that most scientists live in cities (though they sometimes do research elsewhere) and their work can help with problems in urban areas of health, energy, security, sustainability, and understanding of the natural world, yet many urban residents don't know what scientists are involved in. Given our Center's dedication to the Humanities, the conference will look at such questions as: Why should non-scientists care about science? Why do cities need scientists and why do scientists need cities? Why do voters need a basic understanding of scientific ideas? Why do scientists need an understanding of the Humanities? How do urban scientists and institutions affect urban life? Or, as Nature asked, "How do cities nurture research and how can research sustain cities?"

The conference offers a unique opportunity to discuss the future of science, education and cities as integral to the dynamics of contemporary life, from a humanities and liberal arts perspective. The conference is free and open to the public, though advance registration is needed. Call (314) 516-5698 for more information.

Advance registration is needed. Call (314) 516-5974 or register online. Registration is free and open to the public, although we ask that registrants please bring canned food donations, to be delivered to s St. Louis food pantry.       

Parking permits will be mailed to pre-registrants for a fee of $10. Parking in Lot C. Conference accessible by MetroLink and campus shuttle. Parking and building are disabled accessible.