UMass Lowell (through its Economic and Social Development of Regions/Center for Industrial Competitiveness; its College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; its School of Health and Environment; and several external sponsors) is presenting a great selection of free seminars this fall (which also come with a free lunch in most cases). Here they are:

September 19 – Robert Forrant, Professor of History, UMass Lowell – “One Hundred Years Later: Why the Lawrence, MA Bread & Roses Strike Still Matters”

September 26 – Randa Wilkinson, Director of Training, & Roger Swartz, Executive Director, Positive Deviance Initiative at the Tufts University School of Nutrition Science & Policy, “Positive Deviance and Community Development: An Overview & Current Projects”

October 3 – Karl (Chip) Case, Wellesley College and Co founder S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index, “The Housing Market and the Macro Economy” (At UML ICC)

October 17 – John Wooding and Kristin Esterberg, UMass Lowell and Salem State University, “The Role of the Public University: Mission and Transformation in Hard Times”

October 24 – Ted Schettler, Science Director, Science and Environmental Health Network, “Environmental Threats to Health: An Ecological Approach Throughout the Lifespan”

October 31 – Ken Geiser, Professor of Work Environment, UMass Lowell, “New Directions in Chemicals Policy”

November 7 – Martin Meehan, Chancellor, UMass Lowell and Moderator of Panel on “Election 2012” (At UML ICC)

November 14 – Melinda Negron-Gonzales, Professor of Politics and Society, University of New Hampshire at Manchester, “Turkey and the Arab Spring: Building Civil Society and Soft Power.”

November 21 – Alice Dembner, Deputy Research Director, Community Catalyst, “Deficit Reduction Fervor: Implications for Health Care”

November 28 – Christian Weller, University of Massachusetts Boston, “Leveling Uneven Ground: U.S. Competitiveness, Corporate Governance and Productivity Growth”

December 5 – Elizabeth Hartmann, Professor, Development Studies & Director, Population and Development Program, Hampshire College, “Rethinking Climate Refugees and Climate Conflict: Rhetoric, Reality and Politics”

All of these seminars are free and open to the public. Remember, the Oct. 3 and Nov. 7 the seminars will be at the UML Inn and Conference Center, 50 Warren Street, Lowell, MA (and advanced registration to artsandideas@uml.edu is requested). All other events are in O’Leary 500M, 5th floor. Buffet lunch is provided at noon.