WICI: lecture by Dr. Sander van der Leeuw - "Invention and innovation: the long term"

Next WICI Speakers' Series Event

"Invention and innovation: the long term"

Dr. Sander van der Leeuw

Foundation Professor, Arizona State University, School of Sustainability and School of Human Evolution and Social Change

In the last twenty years, researchers have come to the conclusion that we cannot study the evolution of societies separately from those of their environments. Over time, the two have become closely intertwined, so that we can now speak of the ‘Anthropocene’ ­ the period in which humans have such an impact on their environment that the latter no longer follows its own dynamics. In the evolution that led up to this situation, we can distinguish three major phases in which humans invented major new ways to process matter, energy and information, as well as widening and deepening their interaction with the environment. The paper outlines this development, and then discusses some of then underlying drivers and their implications for our modern world, and the role of innovation in it.

For more information or to RSVP for this event, please visit our website.

Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Location: DC 1302
Time: 2-4pm

 Join us starting at 2pm for coffee and conversation before the lecture begins at 2:30pm.

Are you a university student interested in communication, collaboration networks and open source communities? Are you looking for a chance to win $500? Then WICI has a challenge for you!

We’re looking for short essays (1000-1500 words) about how the structure of communication and collaboration networks might shape the flow of innovative ideas in open source communities. Essays can include supporting data, graphics, or simple model examples to support their arguments. This challenge is open to students–undergraduate or graduate–at any accredited university.

The deadline for entries is January 10, 2015. The winning entry will receive $500.

Please visit our website for more details.