Tuesday, March 17, 2009

A multidisciplinary student conference on "Darwin's Legacy: Evolution's Impact on Science and Culture," will be held March 20-21 at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Students from across the state, nation and beyond will gather to present their scholarly work and creative endeavors related to evolution.

The conference is free and open to the public but participants are asked to register in advance. It is sponsored by the university's Evolution Learning Community, a three-year campuswide academic celebration.

2009 is being commemorated around the world because it marks the anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth in February and the 150^th anniversary of the publication of Origin of Species in November. Colleges and universities, museums, professional societies, and civic and religious organization are celebrating with lecture series, exhibits and conferences.

"Darwin's Legacy" at UNCW is different. Rather than examining evolution from the perspective of a single discipline, this conference brings together scholars in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities and arts. This multidisciplinary approach explores the impact of evolutionary thought across various fields of science and in our culture.

It is also different because, other than the addresses by four renowned keynote speakers, all presentations are by students.

"We wanted the newest scholars in evolution-related fields to have the opportunity to present their work and thus enrich the body of knowledge," said Tricia Kelley, professor of geology and one of the organizers of the conference. "In the 150 years since Origin of Species was published, our knowledge of evolution has expanded dramatically, including in areas of study that didn't even exist in Darwin's day. These students represent the future of evolution-related scholarship."

Keynote speakers include:

Dr. David Buss, University of Texas, "Strategies of Human Mating in the Great Struggles of Life"

Dr. Peter Carruthers, University of Maryland, "Evolution and the Architecture of Mind"

Dr. David Mindell, California Academy of Sciences, "Applications and Influence of Evolutionary Science"

Dr. Kevin Padian, University of California-Berkeley, "Darwin, Dover and Intelligent Design: What's Next for Anti-Evolutionists?"

The conference will also feature an art exhibit of student posters. Student designers were asked to create a piece that communicates their interests in, understanding of and beliefs about the concept of evolution and the origin of species, including the human species, as informed through their research. Some of the posters include accompanying statements that describe the artist's viewpoint and source of inspiration.

Student research presenters are visiting from universities including the College of William and Mary, New York University, the University of Pennsylvania, UC Santa Barbara, UNC Chapel Hill, the University of Florida, Florida State University, James Madison University and the University of Western Australia.

For more information about the conference, including schedule, registration information, and the full program and presentation abstracts, go to:

http://library.uncw.edu/web/outreach/evolution/

Media contact:
Dana Fischetti, media relations manager, 910.962.7259 or fischettid@uncw.edu

Reporters are invited to attend and cover the conference or any of the sessions. Interviews may be arranged with presenters upon request. Visual opps are available in presentation sessions, art show and keynote addresses.