Expert on globalization of education to give talks, join in discussions Nov. 2-3

Kris Olds is chairman of the Department of Geography at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Kris Olds

Kris Olds, a professor of human geography at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will visit Brandeis for two days in November to consult with senior administrators and faculty involved in the Provost’s Global Initiative, to lead a Global Affairs Office symposium, and to help launch the new Master of Arts program in Global Studies.

Olds’ research focuses on the geographical organization of power in relation to contemporary changes in social, academic and economic affairs. His geographic foci are the broad Asia-Pacific/Pacific Rim region, and the interdependent skein of global cities spread around the globe. He is particularly interested in how universities, businesses and elite social formations operate across distant space, and how these operations produce distinct spaces and places.

Following consultations with Provost Marty Wyngaarten Krauss, Vice President for Global Affairs Daniel Terris and members of the Office of Global Affairs Advisory Board Monday morning, Olds will launch the symposium “New Knowledge Spaces and Places” with a talk on higher education, authoritarianism and global efforts to protect academic freedom. His talk, at 5 p.m. in Rapaporte Treasure Hall, Goldfarb Library, is open to all students, faculty and staff. Refreshments will be served afterwards.

Tuesday morning from 9 to 10:30 a.m., students and faculty who have read recent papers by Olds on related themes will continue and broaden discussion of the Monday evening lecture. This discussion will be held in the Faculty Lounge. You may download the papers by clicking here.

Finally, Tuesday afternoon, a panel of Brandeis faculty including Mark Auslander, Elizabeth Ferry, Talinn Grigor and Ulka Anjaria will present work on cultural forms produced in new global and diasporic places and spaces. Olds will join the ensuing discussion. This session, which is open to all, will be held in Brown 218 from 1:30 to 3 p.m., and will be moderated by Professor of Anthropology Richard Parmentier.