The Eisenberg Institute kicks off its Fall 2013 Thursday Speakers Series on September 12, 4 p.m., in 1014 Tisch Hall, with Paolo Squatriti's lecture, "Exotic Plants, Biological Invasions, and the Medieval Mediterranean as Historical Materials." Squatriti is a professor in history and romances languages and literatures at the University of Michigan. He studied medieval European history and obtained a doctorate in that subject at the University of Virginia. 

Professor Squatriti's research focuses on the early Middle Ages and on Italy, particularly on issues of land use, environment, and the perception of nature. His current project is the history of weeds in the Middle Ages. Link for a lecture abstract. Free and open to the public.

On Friday, September 13, 12 p.m. in Tisch Hall, the Institute presents the workshop, "Navigating the Matrix: Diversity and the Transition from Graduate School to Life in the Academy." Kate Wroblewski (Ph.D. Student, History) GOSH chair, will deliver brief opening remarks. The panel features professors Paulina Alberto, Matthew Countryman, Lawrence La Fountain-Stokes, Joel D. Howell, Victoria Langland, Rachel Neis, and Hitomi Tonomura; the session is chaired by Cookie Wooler (Ph.D. Candidate, History and Women's Studies). This workshop is cosponsored by GOSH. Link for more details. Lunch provided. Free and open to the public.

These events have been made possible by a generous contribution from Kenneth and Frances Aftel Eisenberg.

Photo: Paolo Squatriti.