From legalized gambling to AI in the classroom, testing confidence in eye-witness testimony and more, the 2025-26 lineup of PUBlic Professor Series lecture topics have been finalized, with six intriguing and engaging talks planned for the season.
Initiated in 2014 by the University of Lethbridge’s Faculty of Arts & Science, the PUBlic Professor Series lectures have grown to include the breadth of research expertise on campus, including representation from all its Faculties and Schools.
“The PUBlic Professor Series is one of our key opportunities to showcase the excellent work being done by our faculty members to the external community. It’s really an important example of the research activities taking place throughout campus and how impactful that work is on everyone’s daily lives,” says Dr. Dena McMartin, ULethbridge’s vice-president (research).
The 2025-26 season kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, when Faculty of Fine Arts professor Dr. Anne Dymond presents, From a Communist Doctor to Madonna’s Cone Bra: Museums and Cultural Diplomacy in Troubled Times. Her presentation will take place in a community location to be finalized as the PUBlic Professor Series continues to visit new venues to connect with more community members.
“We started moving the talks around this past year, using venues that opened the University up to new audiences, and found it to be very successful,” adds McMartin. “PUBlic Professor is for the public, we want to meet them where they frequent, especially when topics lend themselves to specific locations.”
Ensuing talks will take place in October and November, and then January, February and March 2026 and include speakers from the Faculty of Arts & Science, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Health Sciences and Dhillon School of Business. As has always been the case, all PUBlic Professor Series events are free and open to the public and available for viewing on the ULethbridge YouTube channel the following week.
Working with local venues and bringing research activities into the community also creates partnership opportunities. Corporate sponsors and community partners seeking to support creating connections and promoting activities that benefit and inform society are encouraged to connect with External Relations at external.relations@uleth.ca to learn more.
This season’s PUBlic Professor Series talks conclude with Dr. Robin Bright’s presentation, Does Reading even Matter Anymore?, 7 p.m. at the Sandman Signature Lodge.
The PUBlic Professor Series is an example of the University of Lethbridge’s Strategic Plan in action under the strategic direction to Challenge Boundaries and Inspire Curiosity. We value courageous conversation, learning from each other’s knowledge and experiences, and actively promote the safe, respectful, open and accessible exchange of ideas.
The series lineup is as follows:
2025-26 PUBlic Professor Series
From a Communist Doctor to Madonna’s Cone Bra: Museums and Cultural Diplomacy in Troubled Times — Dr. Anne Dymond, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025
Cockwambles, Cornucopias and the Curious Task of Economics — Dr. Danny Le Roy — Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025
Has AI Made Teachers Obsolete? — Dr. Richelle Marynowski (BEd ’94) — Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025
Playing Telephone with Eyewitness Evidence — Dr. Jamal Mansour — Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026
Indigenous Childhood Stories Transform Worlds – Want Some? — Dr. Don McIntyre — Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026
Legalized Gambling in Canada: Winners and Losers — Dr. Rob Williams — Thursday, March 26, 2026