Newsletter Volume 7 Issue 8 December 16, 2020 |
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Be sure to put on your calendar our dates for Lunch Colloquiums next year. They will restart on Monday, January 11 with Tony Martin from Environmental Scinces speaking about the subject of his latest book, Tracking the Golden Isles: The Natural and Human Histories of the Georgia Coast, and for January and February will all be on Monday, except for January 19 due to the MLK holiday.
Thanks to Denise Raynor and Mike Kutner, you can read about the recent talks by Deboleena Roy and Zach Binney in this issue. Both of the recordings are already on our website and you can view them (along with many previous Lunch Colloquiums) on our videos page. Thanks so much to Don O’Shea for his marvelous work in preparing the recordings and to Stacey Jones for getting them up on our website!
Be sure to welcome and congratulate our new, and newly retired, members. We also celebrate the Irish Presidential Service Award to Jim Flannery; note that you can watch the tenth anniversary broadcast of his A Southern Celtic Christmas Concert on GPB next Tuesday at 7 p.m.
In this issue, we note below the deaths of member William Josey and of Janice Benario, Herb Benario’s wife. Many of you knew Janice, as she came to various Emeritus College functions in previous years, and even gave a lunch talk in 2010. Herb reports that she died peacefully in her sleep.
I wish for you all a holiday period that is as safe and happy as possible. It will certainly be different from previous years, but we can all hope that 2021 will be a better year!
I am very grateful to Gretchen Schulz, Ann Hartle, and Marge Crouse for help with editing and proofing.
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Report - Lunch Colloquium - Monday, November 30
Deboleena Roy
“Biophilosophies of Becoming”
Please scroll to read more below
Report - Lunch Colloquium - Monday, December 7
Zach Binney
“COVID-19 and Sports: Epidemiological and Ethical Issues”
Please scroll to read more below
New Members
Patti Owen-Smith, Ken Protas
Please scroll to read more below
Faculty Activities
James Flannery
Please scroll to read more below
In Memoriam
Janice Benario and William Josey
Please scroll to read more below
Walking the Campus with Dianne
Please scroll to read more below
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Lunch Colloquium Report - Tuesday, November 17, 2020 |
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"Biophilosophies of Becoming"
Deboleena Roy
Senior Associate Dean of Faculty, Emory College of Arts and Sciences,
Professor of Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and Women's Gender,
and Sexuality Studies
Dr. Deboleena Roy, now a Senior Associate Dean of Faculty in Emory College of Arts and Sciences, has spent her career as a feminist scientist, creating avenues for interdisciplinary conversations around molecular biology, Deleuzian philosophies, posthumanism, and postcolonial and decolonial studies. As Professor of Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, she has attempted to move back and forth from the laboratory to life in the real world and the creation of social movements there. And with her teaching and scholarship, she tries to help others do the same.
At her Lunch Colloquium presentation on Monday, November 30, Dr. Roy took the audience over some very productive ground, sprouting new concepts and connections much like the grass she uses as an analogy in her book Molecular Feminisms: Biology, Becomings, and LIfe in the Lab. She sees the feminism that infuses her science (and vice versa) as emerging from her training during the science wars between scientific realists and post-structuralists in the mid to late 90s. These sometimes hostile exchanges pitted scientific objectivity against the intrusion of societal influence, what is today considered unconscious bias, resulting in a deep distrust between the humanities and the sciences in academic circles. In her view, science and society are co-constituted, motivating her desire to become a feminist scientist who could bridge the divide (and help others bridge the divide) between reproductive justice work and reproductive biology research through direct conversation.
Now that the social milieu has shifted to an atmosphere where all forms of academic research are under threat, scientists are being forced to stand up for science itself. Dr. Roy has seized this opportunity to form new interdisciplinary alliances to use her classroom as a place where students in the humanities and the sciences can come together to talk across their differences. She wanted to provide neuroscience and feminism students with the tools to create conversations—and perhaps collaborations.
Like her classes, her book offers instruction in making interdisciplinary connections. It’s a guide to building coalitions, both in the academic world and beyond, where it can aid in promoting horizontal social movements (stolonic, like grass). And it serves as a reflective space for feminist scientists and scientific feminists in bench research sciences and the humanities, including philosophy and animal studies, to create shared vocabularies for interdisciplinary work.
From the beginning, Dr Roy’s laboratory research prompted her to push outside the boundaries of the lab. Her early studies found evidence against a hierarchical paradigm used to study the Hypothalamic Pituitary Gonadotropin (HPG) axis by showing that female hormonal therapies may act at non-reproductive tissue sites to influence neuroendocrine regulation of circadian functions. Her activity in the reproductive justice movement had inspired her choice of research area, but ironically, that work required techniques that feminists vigorously criticized, like bacterial cultures, in-vitro cell lines, and transgenic animals. It was in this crucible that ideas to facilitate new dialogs to bridge the gap between feminists’ understanding of scientific investigation and the views of scientists performing those experiments were born.
In her later research, those ideas morphed into a mission to transform almost everything from the lab bench to larger conversations in the world by reframing our vision of the world around us. She explored an area that had been marginalized in the sciences but was crucial to women’s reproductive health. As she worked toward her discovery of new forms of communication between GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) neurons, estrogen receptors, and estrogen molecules using molecular biology techniques, she discovered the joy of shared objects of complexity of thought engendered by camaraderie with scientific colleagues. But she also discovered more pushback.
Estrogen both represses and enhances GnRH synthesis, so it should have been obvious that it would regulate reproduction at the level of the brain, but experts had long maintained that GnRH neurons didn’t express estrogen receptors. Thus an intermediary pathway had been hypothesized to connect the two. Anything else was inconceivable, according to conventional wisdom. Deboleena found herself swimming against the tide in the scientific community, buoyed by knowing that other feminists suspected that neurologic side effects of hormonal therapies (like migraines) provided evidence that supported the importance of the research. The discovery of multiple types of estrogen receptors created the opportunity to disturb the status quo. Throughout the process, she faced academic resistance tinged with implicit gender and racial bias.
Through the struggle to investigate her hypothesis and oppose the drumbeat of opposition against her conclusions, Dr. Roy emerged with a new understanding, a sort of ontological rupture, that moved her concept of matter from one of fixity, stasis, and being to one of flexibility, change, and becoming. Armed with new perspectives, she wants to contribute to theory development by creating conceptual frameworks that can be used by feminists to approach the lab bench and bring data out of the lab to revitalize how we think about bodies, biologies, and matter and, eventually, how we act. She views this transformation in understanding of the field as an alternative to the typical attempt to attract women into the academic STEM pipeline and plug the leaks to maintain the flow.
She knows we need tools for enabling conversations at the intersection of philosophy and science, and she has come to believe that the task requires guidance through a philosophical practice she calls “biophilosophies of becoming.” What happens when you examine the relationship between scientists and their objects of study? Dr. Roy’s approach is to ask questions about biotechniques like “Should feminists clone?” as well as “What do neurons think?” as she considers in vitro cell cultures used in her work. And in her book, she encourages questions about pretty much everything else, as well—a reexamination of all the elements in nature (human, nonhuman, organic, and inorganic) and of the nature of nature itself.
In reading a couple of excerpts from her book towards the end of her talk, Dr. Roy chose passages that examine the way in which a hierarchical approach to nature and life that prioritizes man over other living and nonliving entities has infused liberal humanism, with greater value placed on some kinds of being than others, and with a belief that there is a positive theology of thought unique to the west, making it superior to non-western cultures. Because this approach is inherently political, as the foundation to our thought, our assumptions and resulting concepts are political as well. This in turn influences how we approach and interact with the world around us. The challenge is to explore our traditional ways of thought outside the boundaries of traditional assumptions, so we might begin to think (and act) in terms of becoming, not, or not just, being. In that, we ourselves might become more like . . . the grass.
Molecular Feminisms: Biology, Becomings, and LIfe in the Lab can be purchased in print form or downloaded by clicking here. It should make for a fascinating and challenging read.
--Denise Raynor
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Lunch Colloquium, Monday, December 7, 2020 |
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“COVID-19 and Sports: Epidemiological and Ethical Issues”
Zach Binney
Epidemiologist and Assistant Professor of Quantitative Theory and Methods,
Oxford College of Emory University
Professor Zach Binney gave a very interesting and thought-provoking presentation on sports during COVID-19. Given his training (he earned his MPH and PhD in epidemiology at Emory, the latter with a sports-related dissertation), Zach has served as a consultant for sports teams (NFL/MLB/NBA/NCAA), pharmaceutical companies, and media outlets. He considers his role in the pandemic to be that of a Sports Injury Epidemiologist, a role which reflects his expertise in both epidemiology and public health and sports statistics and analytics. His presentation focused on three main areas related to sports during COVID-19: (1) Epidemiology and Public Health, (2) Science Communication, and (3) Philosophy and Ethics. In this brief review, I will highlight some of the topics and ideas that Zach discussed in each area.
In the first area, Epidemiology and Public Health, Zach stated that a most important date to remember is March 11th, the day America had its “come to Jesus moment” when the NBA suspended its season. What were teams in all sports to do? One important idea to keep sports going that emerged was that of the “bubble,” introduced by the National Women’s Soccer League. The “bubble” concept isolated all involved in the sporting activity from the wider world for the duration of a “season,” with participants still practicing social distancing and wearing masks. It was widely successful. Many other sports organizations adopted the “bubble” idea for both indoor and outdoor events including the WNBA, MLS, NBA, NHL, MLB, and college and pro football. Zach noted that MLB, NFL, and college football teams that have tried to continue outside bubbles with masks, testing, and limited indoor time have experienced some pandemic transmission problems.
In discussing Science Communication, Zach talked about an interesting partnership between Yale University and the NBA and NBPA to develop a saliva test for COVID-19 that gave evidence to support the argument that the CDC quarantine guideline period could be reduced from 14 days to 7 days. To date the CDC has not changed its recommendation. Zach then explained the concept of “the counterfactual,” a means of determining whether an association can be taken to imply causality; e.g., if a football player tests positive for COVID-19 after a game can we prove it was caused by that particular game. He gave an example of Trevor Lawrence arguing that playing football with player protection is as safe as hanging around at home. HBO Real Sports asked Zach to assess if college football athletes really were safe (during summer workouts and numerous breaks). He recruited Dr. Kristin Nelson (an Emory epidemiologist) to help him set up appropriate criteria to answer the question. In further discussing the need to improve communication of scientific concepts to the general public, Zach advocated the use of sports metaphors to meet people “where they’re at.” Given questions such as “What does ‘flatten the curve’ mean?” and “Why do we need to do it?” such metaphors can emphasize important concepts that everyone should understand.
In discussing Philosophy and Ethics as related to sports in the time of pandemic, Zach focused on comparing risks to benefits. Most Americans clearly want their football, basketball, and baseball not to be stopped, but even a small risk of death might warrant stopping these sporting events. (Zach mentioned the WFTDA, otherwise known as “roller derby” for women, whose motto is “Lives Before Laces.”) Other issues in this area that Zach talked about included the risks of “downstream effects.” Putting paid players at risk is one thing but what about those in the larger community with whom they interact who have little choice in the matter. Another issue? Why should those in sports leagues get testing when other folks cannot get testing? In closing, Zach brought up the really important question: “Should we have sports (during this time of pandemic) at all?” He reviewed positive and negative answers to this question but claimed he himself didn’t have the answer. A very lively question and answer session followed.
--Michael Kutner
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New members are the lifeblood of any organization.
Please make a special effort to welcome them to EUEC!
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Patricia Owen-Smith, PhD, Professor Emerita of Psychology and Women's Gender, and Sexuality Studies
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Patricia Owen-Smith retired from Oxford College of Emory University in August 2020. She was a Professor of Psychology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies where she taught for the past 34 years. She holds a PhD in Developmental Psychology with a concentration in child and adolescent development. In 2000 she was named a Carnegie Scholar by the Carnegie Academy for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning for her research on models of insight development in the classroom. Dr. Owen-Smith founded both Oxford College’s Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality program and its service-learning program and served as the faculty director of these programs from their beginning to her retirement. She also directed the Center for Cognitive-Affective Learning, an international initiative sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation. Much of her early scholarship centered on pedagogical approaches in the undergraduate classroom. Her most recent scholarship focused on the integration of contemplative practices into the undergraduate curriculum. She is the author of numerous papers, book chapters, and presentations, and her latest book is, The Contemplative Mind in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, all of which are grounded in contemplative work in the classroom. Dr. Owen-Smith is the recipient of the Emory Williams Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award, the highest honor for teaching at Emory University.
Kenneth Protas, MD, Assistant Professor in Anesthesiology retired
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James W. Flannery
Winship Professor Emeritus of the Arts and Humanities and Director of the W.B. Yeats Foundation
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A press release from the Consulate General of Ireland on December 4, begins as follows:
The Consulate General in Atlanta is delighted to announce that Professor James W. Flannery, a much beloved and respected member of the Irish community in Atlanta, will receive the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for 2020. The Award is given by the President of Ireland each year to a small number of recipients of Irish descent in recognition of their service to Ireland and to the Irish abroad. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney, T.D., announced on November 6th that James Flannery would be presented the award for his service in the field of Arts and Culture in recognition of his work in Atlanta, the US more widely, and in Ireland to promote Irish culture.
The press release ends as follows:
An award ceremony had been due to take place in December 2020 but has been postponed to the first half of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is expected that the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, will then present the 2020 Presidential Distinguished Service Award to Professor Flannery in person at a ceremony in Dublin. The Consulate General of Ireland in Atlanta, led by Consul General Ciara O’Floinn, will also organise a celebration of the achievements of Dr Flannery with the Irish community in early 2021.
One of the many reasons for Jim’s Presidential Award is the Southern Celtic Christmas Concert, which for eighteen years was a highlight of the Atlanta Holiday Season, and in 2010 was transformed into a film which has since been broadcast on PBS stations throughout the country. The film, which won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Arts and Entertainment, features the talents of faculty members and students from our Emory programs in music, theater and dance along with three Grammy Award-winners and a rare television interview with the late Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, whose correspondence is among the crown jewels of the archives held in MARBL. In the interview, Heaney talks about the influence of the Celtic spirituality developed in the monastic communities of Medieval Ireland on his artistic work. The tenth anniversary broadcast of A Southern Celtic Christmas Concert will be on GPB on Tuesday, December 22nd at 7:00 p.m.
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Janice M. Benario, PhD, Professor Emerita of Modern and Classical Languages, Georgia State University
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Janie Benario, wife of member Herb Benario, died peacefully in her sleep on December 2, 2020, at age 97. She was Professor Emerita of Modern and Classical Languages at Georgia State and known to many of our members, as she taught some courses in the Classics for a few years after her retirement from Georgia State and also attended EUEC events in past years. She was perhaps best known (eventually!) for her work as a code breaker in WWII and gave one of our Lunch talks in April, 2010, titled Top Secret Ultra: The Allies' Secret Weapon in the Battle of the Atlantic. In the Sunday, September 2, 2018, edition of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, there was an article about Janice Benario's role in code breaking during World War II. The article "Decatur resident, 95, was on Navy's code-breaking team" can be read by clicking here. Herb Benario is also featured in this story, as there is a description of how Herb found out about his wife's activity in code breaking when he saw a picture of her in a book about the code breakers, 32 years after they were married! There is also an article in Emerties Newsletter, Winter 2013, the newsletter of the Georgia State University Emeriti Association, in which she describes her work. Her WWII work is also detailed in The Digital Collections of the National WWII Museum, that you can read by clicking here. This last reference includes a nearly one-hour-long video of Janice talking about her work.
William E. Josey III, MD, Professor Emeritus of Gynecology
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William Ellis Josey, III, MD, age 95, died peacefully at home in Sandy Springs, GA, on November 29, 2020. He was born on September 13, 1925, and was a graduate of Georgia Military College High School, Duke University, and the Medical College of Georgia. He completed his medical residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. A veteran of the Second World War, he served on the destroyer-minesweeper Ellyson and was aboard when she became the first capital ship to enter Tokyo Bay following Japan’s surrender. Dr. Josey was a distinguished physician and women’s health scientist. He was a member of the faculty at Emory University School of Medicine where he practiced, conducted research, and taught until retiring as Professor Emeritus in 1995. His patients thought highly of him, and often gave him gifts as tokens of appreciation for his superb care. He was a skilled surgeon and enjoyed teaching surgical technique to the residents at Emory University Hospital. He authored or co-authored over 80 peer-reviewed medical publications and textbook chapters and with colleagues at Emory conducted pioneering research into the relationship between viruses and cancer. His commitment to women’s health continued after retirement. In 2014, at the age of 88, he co-authored an article published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. He was a member of many professional societies and a founding member of an international gynecological society.
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Walking the Campus with Dianne |
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The majestic bronze eagle from our last walk is one of a few that can be found around campus. This particular eagle greets everyone as they enter the Cannon Chapel main entrance just off the terrace area between Cannon Chapel and White Hall.
According to the plaque beneath the statue, it was installed in 1993 in tribute to the generosity of Sims Garrett, Jr. and the ministries of the Sims Garrett Scholars.
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Here we are again at the end of another year...and this one was a doozy! Challenging, scary, perplexing, and unlike any other.
I'm closing out this year with a photo that includes something most of you will be familiar with....something we see quite often week after week, and something that many, if not most, of us have had to learn in order to function as part of the Emory community.
Happy Holidays to everyone and please stay safe and healthy!
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Emory University Emeritus College
The Luce Center
825 Houston Mill Road NE #206
Atlanta, GA 30329
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