Lunch Colloquiums
Lunch Colloquiums are generally held twice monthly at the Luce Center and feature a wide range of faculty from all parts of the university.
Colloquiums usually take place every first and third Monday or Tuesday, unless otherwise noted.
Many of our colloquiums are recorded. Click on a title link to view the session.
All meetings are hybrid and take place from 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m., except as noted.
In-Person: 130 The Luce Center | 825 Houston Mill Road, Atlanta 30329 Monday, September 14 For decades, inherited genetic risk and environmental influences dominated conceptualizations of the etiology of psychotic disorders. However, advances in genetics and neuroscience have dramatically altered scientific perspectives on the determinants of serious mental illnesses. These research findings have raised questions about the validity of contemporary diagnostic classification systems as well as some long-held assumptions about etiological processes. We now know that both inherited and acquired genetic factors influence risk for psychotic disorders, and that environmental factors influence the expression of genetic risk. Furthermore, the human brain undergoes a protracted and complex developmental course, and these developmental processes are modulated by both genetic and environmental influences. Brain changes that normally ensue during adolescence and young adulthood are especially relevant to serious mental illness, making these sensitive periods for the onset of psychosis. This presentation will summarize the current state of our knowledge about the etiology of psychotic disorders and highlight some recent findings that hold promise for enhancing treatment and future prevention. Monday, September 28 Now that we are retired, we have time for the things we truly care about and that make us happy. That can be travel or it can even be something as simple as finally getting a chance to work around the house. Retirement also can provide a chance to do something for someone else, such as volunteering for Emeritus College committees, or working for a dog rescue, museum, church, or an organization such as MedShare. ServiceFest is a chance to promote your favorite cause, help spread the word, and maybe convince others to join you in service. Monday, October 12 Using a robotic painting device developed at MIT, William Brown tests multiple styles to determine those best suited to this new technology. He is able to create limitless numbers of “pre-paintings” that he can compare and critically evaluate before committing any to paint. Tuesday, October 27, 2026 The Cold War ended in 1989 with great hope that humanity would turn to democracy and enter a heavenly era of freedom, prosperity, and, most importantly, peace. There was also hope that not only would democracies be more peaceful, but that when they did fight wars, they were more likely to win (as seemingly evidenced by a number of 1990s conflicts). The first quarter of the new century provides an opportunity to evaluate these claims. Is democracy still a reliable recipe for peace? Are democracies still more likely to win the wars they wage? Has the institution of democracy or the practice of war evolved in the past 25 years, such that we should reconsider these hopes? The Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran wars in particular shed new light on these questions. Monday, November 16 This presentation will present an overview of changes in sleep patterns throughout the lifespan, outline normal age-related changes in sleep, identify when you should consult a sleep disorders specialist, and review common interventions for sleep problems experienced by adults over the age of 65. Monday, November 30, 2026 Read any good books lately? Would you be willing to recommend one (or more) of those good books to those of us wondering what to read next? We are looking for volunteers to describe books they have enjoyed that others might enjoy as well. If you’ve got one to discuss, we’ll be happy to allot you five minutes of BookFest time. If you’ve got two or three, we can schedule you for ten minutes. And, of course, you can choose a book or books of any kind at all. If you would like to participate, please send an email to Ron Gould. Supply Ron with the name of the book(s) you’ll be recommending, and let him know whether you will need five or ten minutes. We will schedule accordingly. First come, first scheduled until we run out of time. Monday, December 7 Please join us for a special holiday version of our lunch colloquium. No lecturer, just food, music, and spending time with friends before the holiday break. 2026–2027 Programs
ZOOM: Information will be emailed to all registrants before the meeting.
Elaine Walker, Charles Howard Candler Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience Emerita
“Evolving Perspectives on Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders: Genetics, the Environment and Brain Development”
ServiceFest
William Brown, Senior Lecturer of Film and Media Emeritus
“Creating Digital Images That Are Robotically Rendered as Oil Paintings”
Dan Reiter, Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Political Science
“Democracy, Peace, and War in the 21st Century”
Ann Rogers, Professor of Nursing Emerita
“Sleep and Aging: What’s ‘Normal’ and When to Seek Help”
“BookFest”
Emeritus College Holiday Party—In-Person Only