We are pleased to be back, now in our second year of operation.
Last year saw some great progress, with governance being set in place and the creation of a well-attended speakers series. Please see our film coverage of both events, featuring Dr Kingwell and Dr McLuhan, as well as articles devoted to reviewing and discussing their ideas. We were also happy to co-sponsor other speakers on campus, and look forward to deepening our partnerships. Many thanks to agency members for their tireless commitment to making this Institute a vibrant and exciting new part of the Lakehead community.
Of course, we have only just begun. Our challenge is to extend our influence nationally and internationally, and to be recognized as a premier incubator of ideas about globalization and culture. Our first Visiting Scholar, Concordia University Canada Research Chair Dr Stephen High, conducted research at the Institute this summer, and is an indication of our growing stature in Canada. We are sure to see more visitors in the near future.
Four evening public lectures are planned this season. The first will be by Dr. Jeanette Lynes, whose debut novel, “The Factory Voice,” is one of twelve long-listed for The Scotiabank Giller Prize. Dr. Lynes teaches English at St. Francis Xavier University and her presentation will be in early November. The second lecture will be by the agency’s own Dr Batia Stolar. An expert of visual culture and representation, Dr Stolar will provide an analysis of immigrant photos at Ellis Island and Pier 21. The lecture is scheduled for early December. The third lecture will be by Dr Abigail Bakan, a Professor and Department Chair of Political Studies at Queen’s University. On Thursday January 28, 2010, Dr Bakan will lecture on “Barack Obama and the Transformation of US Politics: Reflections on Race, Empire and Economic Crisis.” The lecture is sure to draw a good crowd, and since Dr Bakan is a strong critic of imperialism, will surely stir debate. The fourth lecture will be by Dr Imre Szeman, Professor of English and Film and new Canada Research Chair of Cultural Studies at the University of Alberta. In “The Cultural Politics of Oil,” Dr Szeman will address the different ways we think about discourses of the “end of oil” – and will provide what he argues is an alternative narrative. His lecture is scheduled for late February 2010.
The agency is also sponsoring FinnForumIX, a major international conference scheduled for May 2010 in Thunder Bay. The conference theme is “Finland and the World: Past, Present and Future” and will bring together scholars from around the world. The conference has not been held in Canada since 1996. FinnForumIX will focus on aspects of the Finnish Diaspora and the new place of Finland in a globalized world. For more information visit www.finnforumIX.
As for opportunities at aig+c, the agency will continue to consider ideas for feature articles on the web site, recruit new members, and launch a major competition for funding. Keep your eyes open for announcements. The Publications Committee is also organizing an online journal called “agency.” Anyone interested in being involved in this or any other agency ventures is strongly urged to contact either of the two co-Directors. The success of this year depends on our volunteers, and we hope we can continue to count on you!
Todd Dufresne
& Ron Harpelle