School of Arts and Humanities Moments Newsletter

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As we look forward to beginning the academic year, I’d like to offer a special welcome to our newest faculty members–an incredible 19 in total! This fall also marks the launch of the Chancellor’s Arts Initiative, a program designed to distinguish the creative works of our exceptional arts faculty, students and community members as well as activate the entire university as a lively location to learn about and experience art and culture.

They are arts activists and philosophers of language, scholars of avant-garde children's literature and composers of experimental music. Discover our newest faculty members’ research interests, favorite courses to teach and more.

Over the past two decades, Theatre and Dance Professor Ana María Álvarez has choreographed rousing performances through her CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Theater, exploring topics such as food justice, oppression and immigration.

Can systems operated by artificial intelligence be subject to moral responsibility? And what role should universities play in halting the spread of disinformation instigated by industry priorities? Experts in the Department of Philosophy—in addition to theInstitute for Practical Ethics—tackle two pressing ethical issues. 

Professor Craig Callender: “Fighting Disinformation with Sunshine: Promoting Funding Transparency in Science.”

Professor David Danks: “Medieval Theology Has an Old Take on a New Problem − AI Responsibility.” 

Mandeville Art Gallery has received a three-year grant from New York-based Teiger Foundation. The award recognizes Director and Chief Curator Ceci Moss’s compelling contemporary art vision and training program in curatorial studies.

Thanks to a gift from Marco Londei and Liquin Wang, undergraduate students will learn how to create a music festival directly from industry experts. The series of two courses will culminate in a student-led music event in May 2025.

Robert Edwards, a doctoral candidate in the Department of History, was among the group of students who led the launch of the Underground Scholars Initiative, which supports formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students.

A collaboration between the UC San Diego Library and the Institute of Arts and Humanities' Jewish Studies Program, the workshop series deepens understanding of the past, fosters tolerance and retains stories of Holocaust victims and survivors.

This fall, UC San Diego is among 70 institutions to take part in a regional exploration of the intersections between art and science. The expansive art event—led by Getty and called “PST ART: Art & Science Collide”—includes two major exhibitions at the university.

See the full exhibition details here.

Seeking funding for your research project or initiative? Faculty are invited to explore internal and external research support opportunities, project sponsorships, philanthropy options and more. 

Author Jay Hakes will discuss the work of UC San Diego’s climate scientists, their impacts on public policy and climate challenges that lie ahead. Co-sponsors include the School of Arts and Humanities and the Institute for Practical Ethics.

Join us for the inaugural Suraj Israni Center for Cinematic Arts Fellowship Forum, showcasing the innovative cinematic visions of over a dozen graduate students, faculty, staff and recent undergraduate alumni fellows.

Artist in residence Tanya Aguiñiga will speak about her collaboration with artists and activists to elevate the often-invisible stories of the transnational community. Presented by the Department of Visual Arts.

MFA directing alumna and Department of Theatre and Dance Chair Lisa Portes directs “Hedda Gabler” this fall. The play centers on the mean and manipulative Hedda, who’s tired of conforming to societal expectations.

Luis Alvarez shares his undergraduate experience at UC San Diego

This fall, Professor of History Luis Alvarez will teach HILD 7C: Race and Ethnicity in the U.S.

The class holds special meaning for him— watch the video to find out why.

History | Literature | Music | Philosophy | Theatre and Dance | Visual Arts

Analytical Writing Program | Center for Taiwan Studies | Institute for Practical Ethics

Institute of Arts and Humanities | Suraj Israni Center for Cinematic Arts