April
Beer: History and Appreciation
Ben Chihak, Associate Professor of Psychology
April 3 & 10
From the spontaneous fermentation of stored grains in Mesopotamia circa 5,000 BCE to the explosion of local craft breweries in our own time, beer has influenced and been influenced by many cultures around the world. This two-week forum led by Associate Professor of Psychology and beer connoisseur Ben Chihak will introduce participants to the history, practice and significance of the brewing and consumption of beer. It will examine the story of beer from a variety of cultural, economic, historical and scientific vantage points. The first week will provide an introduction to the basic biology and chemistry of the brewing process as well as the importance of beer throughout human history, including the ways it contributed to human survival and the growth of societies and empires. This will set the basis for our exploration in week two of the development and broader importance of various types of beer. We will travel across time and place to learn about the diverse styles and significance of beers from the ancient world, the British Isles and British empire, Germany, the Czech Republic, France, Belgium and the United States. The second session will also include an optional tasting element in which participants can sample some of the notable varieties profiled during the forum, including styles inspired by historical recipes such as Irish stouts, Scotch ales, India and British pale ales, abbey ales, Belgian and French saisons, Czech pilsners, German wheat beers and American ales, pilsners and wheats.
Taking the Longview: How Long-term Studies Shape our Future
Daniel Hughes, Assistant Professor of Biology
April 17 & 24
Scientific fields languish when deprived of new theories with testable predictions; however, many tests require data collected over enough time to answer questions. Although many scientists acknowledge the importance of long-term data and enjoy its benefits, few are willing to undertake such studies. By tracking changes over extended periods, researchers gain unprecedented insights into the dynamics of ecological communities, population fluctuations and the mechanisms driving evolutionary processes. Moreover, extended inquiries foster the discovery of breakthroughs that often emerge in serendipitous moments. In this two-week forum, Assistant Professor of Biology Daniel Hughes will provide an overview of long-term studies, including a natural history of the scientists who pioneered the longview approach to research. The first session will explore the ideas, people and legacies of long-term data, such as Jane Goodall’s 26-year-long career documenting wild chimpanzees and their culture and Peter and Rosemary Grant’s 40-year effort on Galapagos Finch evolution. Week two will cover specific studies, including the longest running ones that yielded the most impactful, and often surprising, results. These include Richard Lenski’s long-term experiment with 75,000 generations of bacteria, which showed it can evolve novel modes of metabolism, and Cyril Hopkins’ 100-year experiment on corn that began in 1896 and has now revolutionized our understanding of gene expression. As custodians of an Earth that is grappling with unprecedented challenges, embracing the commitment to long-term research will be paramount for resolving the mysteries of life and safeguarding the delicate balance of our interconnected world.