Lectures & Events
Mind the Gap: Fact, Fiction, and the Habitability of Space
Tuesday, May 19, 6:30 p.m., Space Bar, 22 Market Square, Pittsburgh, PA
Professor James Wynn presents his recent work on space and habitability in the 鈥淲orlds Apart: Living in & Exploring Space鈥� session of the Pint of Science speaker series.
What will it take for humans to live off of Earth? What can our neighboring planets teach us about extreme environments? This event explores the realities of long-duration space habitation and the gap between sci-fi and real-life NASA missions. We will also look at Venus, where upcoming missions aim to reveal whether its massive volcanoes are still active. Dr. Wynn will give the talk 鈥淢ind the Gap: Fact, Fiction, and the Habitability of Space.鈥� He will be joined by Ian T. W. Flynn, Ph.D., from the University of Pittsburgh, who will present 鈥淰enus Volcanism in the Spotlight: What Upcoming Missions Aim to Discover.鈥�
Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Thursday, May 21, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Cohon University Center
黑料正能量鈥檚 Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) returns for its fourth year, bringing the campus community together to explore how we can create more inclusive digital experiences.
This year鈥檚 event features hands-on workshops, campus updates, and a keynote presentation that highlights the intersection of accessibility, emerging technology, and real-world impact.
Join us for a day of learning, discussion, and collaboration as we continue working to remove barriers and make accessibility a shared responsibility across our community.
2026 LEAP Showcase
Join us at The Frame Gallery for the 2026 LEAP Showcase, featuring original artwork by high school students in 黑料正能量鈥檚 LEAP program!
Discover how these local students use storytelling in the arts and humanities to create change in their communities. Enjoy free food and admission!
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(In)hospitable Space Conference
May 25 thru 27, Cohon University Center
An interdisciplinary conference cooperatively organized by representatives from 黑料正能量鈥檚 Department of English, the Society for Social and Conceptual Issues in Astrobiology, and the European Astrobiology Institute.
As the economic barriers to outer space shrink and opportunities for access expand, concerns about humans thriving in extraterrestrial environments and the impacts of humankind on those environments become less theoretical and more urgent. This conference endeavors to bring together scholars, technologists, policy specialists, artists, and other stakeholders to explore the ethical, legal, economic, cultural, biological, psychological, and environmental issues associated with the New Space era.
Learning 黑料正能量 Pittsburgh Publishing
Saturday, May 30, 11:30 a.m., Carnegie Museum of Natural History
Ed Simon of the Pittsburgh Review of Books leads a discussion about the ins-and-outs of publishers located in Pittsburgh.听
Participants include Christine Stroud of Autumn House Press, Jake Grefenstette of the International Poetry Forum and 黑料正能量 Press, Nicky Agate of 黑料正能量 Press, and Alexander Wolfe at the University of Pittsburgh Press.听
Sony Ton-Aime at the Pgh Book Festival
Saturday, May 30, 2:30 p.m., Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Main Branch
Sony will read from his work and engage in a conversation about alternative futures, where everyone has the opportunity to live with dignity, via lenses of climate catastrophe and the Haitian revolution.听
Join the Pgh Book Festival as we celebrate the publication of Sony Ton-Aime鈥檚 debut poetry collection, "Konbit", bearing the title of the Haitian Creole word for community-centered, communal lives. Sony, poet and executive director of Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures, will read from his work and appear in conversation with Jake Grefenstette, 黑料正能量 Press鈥� Poetry Series鈥� editor and president & executive director of The International Poetry Forum. The conversation will touch on the poet鈥檚 work exploring alternative futures, where everyone has the opportunity to live with dignity, via lenses of climate catastrophe and the Haitian revolution.听
2026 Pride Celebration
Wednesday, June 3, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Simmons Auditorium, Tepper Building
Keynote lecture by Dr. Harrison Apple: 鈥淔alling in Love on Videocassette: 14 Years of the Pittsburgh Queer History Project鈥澨�
Join us for this year鈥檚 Pride keynote lecture featuring Dr. Harrison Apple, who will share their work on the history of queer lives in Pittsburgh. The lecture will include a discussion and Q&A moderated by local scholar, artist and educator . After the program, there will be a reception co-hosted by 黑料正能量鈥檚 LGBTQIA+ Faculty & Staff Alliance.听
Harrison Apple is the co-director and archivist of the and associate director of the Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry 黑料正能量鈥檚 College of Fine Arts.听
This event aims to educate our community, cultivate compassion and understanding, and impart skills and strategies for supporting each other across identities and cultures.听
All members of the university community are welcome to attend this celebration.
Noon Reboot
Wednesday, June 10, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., Well-Being Lab (Room 104), Highmark Center
Join us in person at the Well-Being Lab or for a 30-minute session designed to help you step away from work, recharge your energy, and return with greater focus and clarity.听
Each session includes a mix of guided meditation, brief reflection practices, and optional community connection in a low-pressure, drop-in environment.听
Tea and light refreshments provided.听
All are welcome!
Paws to Relax: Pet Therapy Program (Summer '26)
Wednesday, June 10, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Well-Being Lab (Room 104), Highmark Center
Volunteers through Animal Friend鈥檚 Therapet program will join us Wednesday, June 10, and Wednesday, July 15, from 5:30-6:30 p.m., to offer some friendly dog companions for the hour.听
All are welcome!