2020 sure has been a whirlwind! It feels like just yesterday we were discussing science communication at the Alumni House, but it also feels like that took place years ago. In deciding what our semester spotlight should be for this fall, it became clear over the summer that we should embrace discomfort and talk about what’s been fueling protests across the nation. In light of the protests against police brutality and systemic racism around the country, we are focusing on criminal justice and policing this fall. Racism is a public health issue, and for far too long public policy has failed to truly address it. Join us as we explore the manifestations of – and potential solutions to – systemic racism in America.

We’re kicking the semester off on September 10 with a brief history of Birmingham. Pam King will walk us through some of our city’s racist past, including segregation and redlining, and we’ll explore how these issues affect the present. The focus then shifts to mass incarceration and re-entry from prison on September 23 and October 1, respectively. On October 15, join us for a conversation with Derecka Purnell, a human rights lawyer, activist, and writer who envisions radical police reform. To top off the semester, we’re hosting a panel on November 18 with city and community representatives to talk about how we can move forward on police reform in the Birmingham area. Below is a table with event registration links! All of these events are virtual and open to everyone. We cannot sufficiently express our gratitude to the Institute for Human Rights and the Office of Public Health Practice for their collaboration and support. We look forward to an engaging and informative semester!

*Recordings will be posted to YouTube as well. Keep an eye out on our social media pages and our newsletter for updates!