Four early-career faculty members will have an opportunity to share their research with the Buffalo State community this semester. The Emerging Scholars Series begins Friday, January 27, with “The Opportunities and Challenges of Technology-Driven Creative Collaborations,” presented by John Cabra, associate professor of creative studies. All presentations will take place in E. H. Butler 210 from noon until 1:00 p.m.
Cabra, a former operations manager for American Airlines, will discuss how digital communication and technology is opening “exciting new possibilities to drive creative behavior, organizational creativity, and innovation through computer-mediated interactions.”
The series takes place under the auspices of the Faculty Development Office, whose director is Susan E. McMillen, mathematics professor. “Our advisory group reviewed recommendations made by the deans of each of the four academic schools,” said McMillen. “These speakers we selected are already demonstrating the promise of becoming excellent scholars in their fields.”
On Friday, February 10, Jing Zhang, assistant professor of elementary education and reading, will present “Implementation and Evaluation of a Chinese Language Family Literacy Program.” In this study, Zhang shows the effectiveness of a family literacy intervention program in Chinese immigrant families.
On Friday, March 9, Kenneth Orosz, associate professor of history and social studies education, will present “The Dwarf, the Goetzen, and C. S. Forester’s African Queen.” Orosz will discuss a little-known episode of World War I, and how it may not be (as long thought) the inspiration for Forester’s iconic novel, The African Queen. Orosz’s research interests include imperialism and Africa.
On Friday, April 20, David Ben-Merre, assistant professor of English, will present “Forms of Doubt: Hilda Doolittle’s Trilogy, Ferdinand de Saussure’s anagrams, and Sigmund Freud’s Nachträglichkeit.” The poet Hilda Doolittle (H.D., as she called herself) embraced uncertainty in her approach to her work. Ben-Merre considers H.D. by exploring two other great intellectual self-doubters: the linguist Ferdinand de Saussure, and Sigmund Freud.
By presenting this series, McMillen said that she and her advisory group hope to contribute toward the development of a campus culture that recognizes and celebrates faculty effort. “Research shows that the opportunity to have their work recognized increases faculty satisfaction,” said McMillen. “Also, opportunities like this, as well as other professional development opportunities, help Buffalo State compete successfully when it comes to attracting the top tier of early-career scholars.”
