The Adirondack Research Consortium is set to hold a day-long social sciences workshop on Friday, October 4, 2019 from 10 am to 3 pm in the Sterling Tomkins Pine Room of the Joan Weill Student Center at Paul Smith’s College.

The day will include a keynote talk by author and Yale professor Dr. Bill Weber, lunch, and a panel discussion on ongoing and emerging social issues impacting the Adirondacks.

Dr. Joseph Henderson, Professor in the Department of Environment and Society at Paul Smith’s College, and Adirondack Research Consortium Board Member, will highlight the significance of the discussion. The purpose of this workshop is to continue the dialogue on past and current social science research in the region, to identify gaps that warrant future inquiry, and to begin coordinating social science research to better address social issues within the Adirondacks.

Dr. Weber, will present his thoughts at 10:15 am. He has worked for more than 30 years in the field of international conservation, combining action to save wild lands and wildlife with concern for local human needs. He is a recognized expert in rain forest ecotourism and community-based conservation, senior editor of African Rain Forest Ecology and Conservation, and lead author of the critically acclaimed book, In the Kingdom of Gorillas. Dr. Weber has also led major conservation programs for the Wildlife Conservation Society in Africa and North America.

In addition to the presentation by Dr. Weber, an interactive panel discussion will examine existing and emerging issues in social sciences as they relate to the Adirondacks. Leading the panel discussion will be, Stanzi Bliss, Director of Giving and Communications, Adirondack Foundation; Dr. Donathan Brown, Assistant Provost and Assistant Vice President for Faculty Diversity and Recruitment, Rochester Institute of Technology; Sylvia Getman, CEO, Adirondack Health; and, Dr. Richard C. Stedman, Professor, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University.

Pre-registration is requested and can be found online. The $25 registration fee for the day-long event includes lunch, the keynote talk, networking opportunities, and the panel discussions.