Palm Beach Atlantic University has opened its 10th annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference, this year presented in a virtual format so that anyone can view it: go.pba.edu/irc2021.
The conference includes a variety of video presentations by PBA faculty and students, including keynote speaker Dr. Thomas C. Chesnes, associate dean of the School of Arts & Sciences. Chesnes, winner of the 2015 Charles & Hazel Corts Award for Outstanding Teaching, presents “A Conscientious Objection to the Scientific Culture War.”
A professor of biology, Chesnes has taught at the University for 19 years, and has observed what he calls unwarranted and unnecessary “casualties of interpretation” as students and others consider the viewpoints of science and faith.
Dr. David Compton, coordinator of the research conference, said the virtual presentations offer a remarkable depth and variety. “We’ve been hearing a lot of ‘Wow! We’re doing that here?’” as people check out the conference offerings, he said. Topics include cancer research, C.S. Lewis, psychology, leadership, pharmaceuticals, music and many others.
Led by their professors, undergraduate and graduate students have conducted research that landed them in peer-reviewed journals and helped shape their career direction. Posters for the research conference are on display at PBA’s Warren Library.
The University’s publication Enlightening Minds offers feature stories about some of this research, and also highlights the rich research background of PBA President Dr. Debra A. Schwinn.
