UAP Diversity Speakers' Series

Sara Farley Talk Today on Connecting VT Resources to Global Challenges

OPEN TALK

How to Go Global: Connecting Virginia Tech Resources to Global Challenges. A conversation with the Global Knowledge Initiative

Thursday, March 3, 10:30am

GLC Room B

Sara E. Farley
Chief Operating Officer, Global Knowledge Initiative www.globalknowledgeinitiative.org

Sara E. Farley is the Chief Operating Officer of the Global Knowledge Initiative, a not for profit organization launched from the US National Academy of Sciences that brokers partnerships between individuals and institutions to solve global challenges in science, technology and innovation (www.globalknowledgeinitiative.org).  Sara has been commissioned by national governments (Brazil, Canada, Slovenia, and the UK), and international development and science-related affinity organizations, such as the Rockefeller Foundation, to lead thinking, develop networks, and devise policies to strengthen developing countries' science and technology capacity.  

Sara began her career as a science, technology, and innovation strategist at the World Bank.  After co-authoring the World Bank's new Science and Technology Strategy for Development with Chief Scientist, Robert Watson in 2001, she helped the institution design and launch its first Africa-based science and technology project (the 30$ million Uganda Millennium Science Initiative). More recently, the World Bank relied on Sara in operations across Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. She has been an advisor and senior consultant to the African Development Bank, where she helped to craft the institution’s new Higher Education, Science, Technology and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) Strategy. 

In 2007 and 2008, Sara worked with UNIDO to establish its first-ever policy position on innovation.  Additionally, Sara has worked as a consultant for SRI International, UNCTAD, the Rockefeller Foundation, and other organizations to develop science, technology, and innovation strategy and policy and guide aid delivery and operations.

Prior to joining the World Bank, Sara graduated with honors in Science, Technology, and Society from Stanford University’s School of Engineering where she also earned a Masters degree in International Policy Studies. She spent time at the University of Queensland studying and working in chemical engineering. Following her time at Stanford and a stint working for a wireless start-up in Silicon Valley, she was a Rotary International Ambassadorial Fellow at the Universidad de Buenos Aires where she conducted post-graduate study in Technology Policy and Management. Sara also founded Uganda Arts Outreach, Inc. and serves on the Board of Lesole’s Dance Project and the Global Alliance for Linkages in Science (GALS).

Presentation by Dr. Sherry Ahrentzen

Action Research, Actionable Knowledge

Presentation by Dr. Sherry Ahrentzen
Associate Director for Research, Policy & Strategic Initiatives
The Stardust Center for Affordable Homes & the Family
Arizona State University

Wednesday, February 9nd, 2011
11:00 AM
Virginia Tech Alexandria Campus
1021 Prince St, Room 304
Alexandria, VA

Contact mivt@vt.edu for more information

Politics and Planning Speaker Series

"Power, You Can't Measure It But You Know When You Don't Have It"

By Clarence Stone

When: February 9 (Wednesday), 7:00-8:30 pm

Where: 1021 Prince Street

Second Floor Lounge

Co-Sponsored by the Metropolitan Institute and the School of Public and international Affairs (SPIA)

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Abstract—Community organizers, reformers, and sometimes even planners have a primary goal of empowering those who are not well off. But what is empowerment and how do you know when you have achieved it? Is empowerment of the poor feasible or only a pipe dream? Though there is no widely accepted metric of power, we can say much about who is powerful in city politics. A starting point is to be clear about different scopes of power—power to set the agenda, power to say NIMBY, capacity to launch a movement, or capacity to have junk cars removed from the neighborhood. Beyond that, the challenge is to think long term, and think like Albert Einstein and not Sir Isaac Newton.

Brief bio—Clarence Stone is Research Professor of Public Policy and Political Science at George Washington University. He is perhaps best known for REGIME POLITICS, a book on Atlanta’s biracial coalition that develops the concept of an urban regime. He was a Visiting Fulbright Professor at the University of Southern Denmark in 2001-2002 and continues to have an interest in comparative local politics. Currently he is coordinating a transatlantic study of policies to regenerate urban neighborhoods and in that project is part of a team studying Baltimore.

For more details, please take a look at our new website at:

http://www.spia.vt.edu/about/events/vtpnpseries/vtpnpseries.html

Two Upcoming Talks: Virginia Tech Politics and Planning Speaker Series January 26th and February 9th, 7pm

Virginia Tech Politics and Planning Speaker Series

“The Caucasus: Old Conflicts and New Geopolitical Design”

By Sergey Markedonov

When: January 26, 7:00-8:30 pm

Where: 1021 Prince Street, Room 305

Sponsored by the Virginia Tech’s Global Issues Initiative!

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Abstract—Dr. Markedonov will discuss the transformation of the Caucasus region from the periphery to one of the focal points of Eurasian, European and Transatlantic security. He will examine the basic reasons of that are relevant and concern different states (USA, Turkey, Iran), integration communities (European Union), and international organizations (OSCE, NATO and UN) in the Caucasus since the dissolution of the USSR. Dr. Markedonov pays special attention to Russia’s position and its desire for maintaining an exclusive role in Caucasus geopolitics. A special emphasis is on the new status quo shaping after the August War of 2008 (the new political agenda for South Ossetia and Abkhazia, new Western strategies on engagement/non-recognition, impact of the August war on Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution and the Turkish-Armenian rapprochement).

Brief bio—Sergey Markedonov is a visiting fellow in the CSIS Russia and Eurasia Program. He is an expert on the Caucasus, as well as Black Sea, regional security, nationalism, interethnic conflicts and de-facto states in the post-Soviet area. His publications include several books and reports, 50 academic articles, and more than 400 press pieces. Recently published books and reports include The Turbulent Eurasia (Academia, 2010), The Big Caucasus: Consequences of the “Five Day War,” New Challenges and Prospects (International Centre for Black Sea Studies, 2009), and The Ethno-national and Religious Factors in Social-political Life of the Caucasus Region (Moscow State University, 2005).

AND

"Power, You Can't Measure It But You Know When You Don't Have It"

By Clarence Stone

When: February 9, 7:00-8:30 pm

Where: 1021 Prince Street, Room 305

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Abstract—Community organizers, reformers, and sometimes even planners have a primary goal of empowering those who are not well off. But what is empowerment and how do you know when you have achieved it? Is empowerment of the poor feasible or only a pipe dream? Though there is no widely accepted metric of power, we can say much about who is powerful in city politics. A starting point is to be clear about different scopes of power—power to set the agenda, power to say NIMBY, capacity to launch a movement, or capacity to have junk cars removed from the neighborhood. Beyond that, the challenge is to think long term, and think like Albert Einstein and not Sir Isaac Newton.

Brief bio—Clarence Stone is Research Professor of Public Policy and Political Science at George Washington University. He is perhaps best known for REGIME POLITICS, a book on Atlanta’s biracial coalition that develops the concept of an urban regime. He was a Visiting Fulbright Professor at the University of Southern Denmark in 2001-2002 and continues to have an interest in comparative local politics. Currently he is coordinating a transatlantic study of policies to regenerate urban neighborhoods and in that project is part of a team studying Baltimore.

For more details, please take a look at our new website at:

http://www.spia.vt.edu/about/events/vtpnpseries/vtpnpseries.html

Virginia Tech Politics and Planning Speaker Series

“Exploring the Spatial Distribution of Low Income Housing Tax Credits”

by Casey Dawkins

Associate Professor Urban Affairs and Planning &

Director, Metropolitan Institute, Virginia Tech

WHEN? Wednesday, December 8, 7:00-8:30pm

WHERE? SPIA Room 305, 1021 Prince Street

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Upcoming lectures:

"Power, You Can't Measure It But You Know When You Don't Have It"

by Clarence Stone, Research Professor of Public Policy and Political Science at George Washington University and Professor Emeritus, American Politics, University of Maryland.

When: Wednesday, February 9, 2011, 7pm