FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Image: The Pinky Show, The Consequences Are Terrifying, 2009.
Gallery 1C03 and The Institute for Women's and Gender Studies proudly present: Academic Freedom? A conversation about the way things are and the way things could be...
WINNIPEG MB, October 27, 2009 - Gallery 1C03 and The Institute for Women's and Gender Studies proudly present a panel discussion inspired by Gallery 1C03's upcoming exhibition, The Pinky Show: Class Treason Stories (excerpts).
In light of recent scandals around the world involving academics being served cease and desist notices for producing valid research challenging corporate activity, being arrested under suspicion of terrorism, or losing tenure without due process as a clear response to different ways of thinking and teaching, it is a ripe moment to discuss intellectual and ethical integrity vis-à-vis academic freedom in the context of societal expectations.
Academics are perceived as belonging to a certain social and intellectual "class". In what ways can they gravitate toward a genuinely ethical definition of their profession while confronting the influences that expect them to toe the line in order to maintain status?
With a view to opening discussion on this subject, four University of Winnipeg faculty members have been invited to express perspectives concerning the dilemma experienced by academics who come to realize that their political, social, and/or ethical beliefs run counter to the status quo maintained by the elite. Should academics perpetuate traditional networks and hope their different opinions will appear more palatable through association with moderates, or should they find altogether new ways of working? Should they speak out and risk being ostracized by their professional community, or take that chance and turn their practices of research and analysis into active resistance? What's at stake and is it worth it?
Featuring:
● Kelly Gorkoff, Instructor, Criminal Justice Department discussing the neoliberalization of higher education
● Christopher Leo, Professor, Department of Politics revealing barriers in academic publishing
● Vesna Milosevic-Zdjelar, Instructor, Department of Physics addressing biases in educational curriculum
● Brock Pitawanakwat, Asst. Professor, Aboriginal Governance Program commenting on abuses of power within the academy
Winnipeg-based curator and writer Milena Placentile will moderate this conversation. Extended biographies and summaries of each presentation are available online; please visit: http://gallery1c03.blogspot.com.
Academic Freedom? A conversation about the way things are and the way things could be...
Tuesday, November 17, 2009 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Eckhardt-Gramatté
Hall, University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Ave (3rd Fl. Centennial Hall)
Admission to this event is open and free for all! Members of the media are invited to attend.
Class Treason Stories (excerpts), created by internationally renowned feline artists and educators, Pinky and Bunny (with the assistance of Mimi and Kim), offers a multi-media installation seeking to provoke questions about the nature of education and the application of knowledge for either socially beneficent or individualist and competitive purposes. This exhibition runs from November 12 - December 12, 2009 before traveling to Toronto Free Gallery in January.
Contact: Jennifer Gibson, Art Curator Gallery 1C03
The University of Winnipeg 515 Portage Ave, Winnipeg MB R3B 2E9
204.786.9253 | j.gibson@uwinnipeg.ca
uwinnipeg.ca/index/artgallery-index | gallery1C03.blogspot.com