The Advisory Committee on Scholarly Events and Activities Program will develop recommendations for a new program of scholarly events and activities supported by the Office of the Provost, College of Liberal Arts and PRAx to engage humanists, artists, scientists and others from a variety of backgrounds to advance greater understanding and awareness of history, conflict and diaspora in Palestine, Israel, and the Middle East. Given the planning elements of this committees’ focus, it’s likely the scholarly events will go through the spring of 2026.
Anticipated actions and outcomes include:
- Consulting stakeholder groups and other resources to develop concepts for a coherent sequence of programming reflecting a diversity of approaches, perspectives, methodologies, and/or mediums.
- Researching the nature and reception of presentations given by potential speakers at other institutions or in other contexts.
- Recommending an integrated suite of programming beginning either in spring 2025 or fall of 2025 and extending through the spring of 2026.
During the winter quarter, the advisory committee completed the following:
- Framed topics, genres and categories of potential interest to audiences.
- Developed a survey mechanism in collaboration with the Survey Research Center at OSU to gather feedback on potential programming.
- Sent the survey to individuals who signed up for further communications related to OSU’s actions in response to Israel, Gaza and the region.
In the spring quarter, the advisory committee will advance its work by:
- Reviewing the survey results.
- Making initial inquiries about speaker availability for the series.
- Completing a recommendation to the Dean of CLA and Provost by May 15.
Committee members include Peter Betjemann, Jamon Van Den Hoek, Sophie Bottum Musa, Jennifer Reimer, Peter Schuller, Anna Soderlund Hough, Aaron Wolf, Tara Massad and Yael Raich.
For additional questions, please contact Peter Betjemann, Executive Director of PRAx and Associate Vice Provost of Arts and Humanities.