Events
Public Talk
The Natures of War
Dr. Derek Gregory, award-winning political geographer and Distinguished Professor, Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies
Blending poetry and prose, paintings and videos, Dr. Gregory presents ‘nature’ not simply as a terrain over which conflicts rage, but as a medium through which they are conducted. He uses four richly illustrated examples: the ‘slimescapes’ and mud of the Western Front in the First World War, the deserts of Northern Africa during the Second World War, the ‘jungle’ of Vietnam in the 1960s and 70s, and the continuing militarization of the Arctic. In each case, ‘nature’ is presented as a medium that transformed the very nature of the conflict, often treated in military culture as anadversary as dangerous as the human enemy. But not only do these examples have implications for ecological warfare, they also impact directly on the very survival of our planet.
Doors open at 6:00 pm. A reception will follow the presentation from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Time: 6:15 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: Vancouver Aquarium, Goldcorp Theatre, 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
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Exploratory Workshop public event
The Puzzles of Human Cooperation
Dr. Robert Boyd, School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University
A reception will precede the event at 5:30 pm.
Date: Thursday, June 6, 2013
Time: 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: Beaty Biodiversity Museum, 2212 Main Mall
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Public Talk
Hypothesis Testing in Neuromuscular Systems
Dr. Francisco J. Valero-Cuevas, Director, Brain-Body Dynamics Laboratory and Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, Computer Science, & Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Southern California
The use of sensitivity analysis (quantifying the effect of parameter variability on prediction variability) and cross-validation (testing how well a model replicates data not used during its development) are well-established techniques in machine learning and in engineering that are not yet the standard of practice in neuromuscular modeling. Dr.Valero-Cuevas will present some examples of these techniques in the areas of muscle modeling and muscle redundancy that challenge current notions and suggest productive research directions. He will also discuss the implications of this work to systems modeling, neural control, and understanding of neurological pathologies and rehabilitation strategies.
Date: Friday, June 7, 2013
Time: 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Location: Room X836 (Boardroom), Department of Computer Science, ICICS/CS Building, 2366 Main Mall
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Exploratory Workshop public event
On the Nature of Human Cooperation: Observations and Experiments across Diverse Societies and Species
Dr. Joe Henrich, Departments of Psychology and Economics, University of British Columbia
Date: Friday, June 7, 2013
Time: 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Location: Liu Institute for Global Issues, 6476 NW Marine Drive
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Exploratory Workshop public event
Cooperation, Religion and Civil Society: How a Punjabi Community Transcended Violence
Dr. Karen Bhangoo Randhawa, Peace and Confl ict Studies, University of California, Berkeley
Date: Saturday, June 8, 2013
Time: 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Location: Liu Institute for Global Issues, 6476 NW Marine Drive
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Wall Colloquia Abroad
Zoonosis and Emergence of New Infectious Diseases: Biology Meets Anthropology
This two day international colloquium will be held at the Collège de France, a partner of the Peter Wall Institute, and will focus on the interface between known emerging infectious diseases and anthropological studies. The main topics of discussion include defining potential animal reservoirs, how pathogens move between species and generally how a species barrier actually exists and is broken to yield new infectious diseases.
Date: Monday, June 10, 2013 - Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Link: Read More