Science Matters Lecture Series
This lecture series features distinguished scholars and researchers sharing their work, how they arrived at their conclusions, and why their work might be significant.
Scientific knowledge is often taken to be the paradigm for knowledge and it informs almost every aspect
of our lives. Yet, history shows us that science is not infallible. Science often
involves uncertainties, conflicting interpretations of evidence, methodological limitations
and tradeoffs, and sometimes a bit of luck!
It is important to understand how science works, why disagreements exist, and why certain scientific practices and methodologies are reliable or trustworthy.
Because science is a process where new evidence is continually generated and hypotheses can be revised, it is important for us, as members of the public, to understand both how science works and why it matters so that we can critically evaluate what to believe and what policies to support.
Speakers
James Hansen
Emeritus Professor of History at Auburn University
Thursday, October 14, 2021 via WebEx
Truth, Lies and O-Rings: Inside the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster
Sarah Johnson
Associate Professor of Planetary Science, Georgetown University
Carol Cleland
Professor of Philosopy and Director of the Center for the Study of Origins, University of Colorado, Boulder
Wednesday, February 21, 2021 via WebEx
The Search for Life on Mars
Charles M. Falco
Emeritus Professor, College of Optical Sciences and Department of Physics, University of Arizona, Tucson
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Hager Auditorium, Museum of the Rockies
The Science of Optics: The History of Art
Kate Brown
Professor of History, Science, Technology and Society Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Thursday, February 6, 2020
Hager Auditorium, Museum of the Rockies
The Great Chernobyl Acceleration
Watch Recordings of Previous Lectures
Recordings of past Science Matters lectures can be accessed here.
Contact
Yves Idzerda, Dean, College of Letters and Science, [email protected], 406-994-4288
Michelle Miley, Associate Dean, College of Letters and Science, [email protected], 406-994-6770