{ "153756-21916281": { "datetime_modified":"20261015T205417", "datetime_start":"20261110T160000", "datetime_end":"20261110T170000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-11-10", "date_end":"2026-11-10", "time_start":"16:00:00", "time_end":"17:00:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"Robotics Department Seminar Series: Beyond the Static World: Rethinking Manipulation Through the Lens of Dynamics", "occurrence_title":"", "combined_title":"Robotics Department Seminar Series: Beyond the Static World: Rethinking Manipulation Through the Lens of Dynamics: Andrew Morgan", "event_subtitle":"Andrew Morgan", "event_type":"Lecture \/ Discussion", "event_type_id":"13", "description":"Robotics Department Seminar Series (https:\/\/robotics.umich.edu\/events\/robotics-seminar-series\/)\nSpeaker: Andrew Morgan, Research Scientist - Tech Lead, Robotics and AI Institute (RAI)\nTitle: \"Beyond the Static World: Rethinking Manipulation Through the Lens of Dynamics\"\nDate: Tuesday, November 10, 2026\nTime: 4:00 - 5:00 pm ET\nLocation: FRB 2300 + Zoom\nZoom Link: https:\/\/myumi.ch\/WDMJm\nMeeting ID: 923 4651 9853\nPasscode: 802676\n\nAbstract: Recent advancements in Vision-Language-Action models and Behavior Cloning are reshaping decades-old assumptions in robot manipulation, yet this progress remains largely anchored to a static worldview. The community continues to treat manipulation as an isolated end-effector problem, ignoring the reality that in unstructured environments, every physical contact is a collision and thus a dynamic event. For decades, commercial hardware has been optimized for stiffness and precision, resulting in effective endpoint masses an order of magnitude heavier than a human arm. This creates a severe impedance mismatch: unplanned contact results in undesired energy transfer, especially when interacting with lightweight objects that have fast dynamic timescales. To address this fundamental limitation, we introduce AthenaZero. Designed to minimize system inertia without sacrificing control authority, AthenaZero achieves a human-equivalent effective endpoint mass. This architecture natively supports the physics of impact, enabling a suite of dynamic manipulation tasks including throwing, catching, batting, and juggling. By prioritizing physical fluency over rigid precision, AthenaZero offers a new hardware foundation for contact-rich manipulation. \n\nSpeaker Bio: Andrew (Andy) Morgan is a Research Scientist at The Robotics & AI Institute in Cambridge, MA. He received his PhD from Yale University's GRAB Lab under the supervision of Prof. Aaron Dollar in March of 2023. In this adventure, he was the recipient of the NSF GRFP and the RSS: Pioneers awards. His research mainly focuses on planning, control, and design for robot hands and manipulators. During his PhD, he also spent time at Amazon Robotics AI and TU Darmstadt working with Prof. Jan Peters. At RAI, he focuses on the design and control of low-impedance, high-torque manipulators for pushing towards dynamic contact interactions with robots. For more information, visit his website: https:\/\/asmorgan24.github.io", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"153756-21916281@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/153756", "building_id":"1005418", "building_name":"Ford Robotics Building", "campus_maps_id":"647", "room":"2300", "location_name":"Ford Robotics Building", "has_livestream":1, "livestream_type":"zoom", "livetream_require_login":0, "livestream_id":"92346519853", "livestream_password":"802676", "livestream_link":"https:\/\/umich.zoom.us\/j\/92346519853", "cost":"", "tags":["Robotics","Free","Engineering"], "website":"https:\/\/robotics.umich.edu\/events\/robotics-seminar-series\/#:~:text=Series%20talks%20to-,Google%20Calendar,-.", "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Michigan Robotics", "group_id":"3998", "website":"" } ], "image_url":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_153756_original-1.png", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_153756_original-1.png", "event_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_153756_original-1.png", "event_large_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_153756_original-1.png", "event_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_153756_original-1.png", "group_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/group_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_153756_original-1.png", "group_thumb_square":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/group_thumb_square\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_153756_original-1.png", "group_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/group_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_153756_original-1.png", "group_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/group_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_153756_original-1.png", "event_large_crop":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_large_crop\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_153756_original-1.png", "event_list":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_list\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_153756_original-1.png", "event_list_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_153756_original-1.png", "event_grid":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_grid\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_153756_original-1.png", "event_grid_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/resolve\/event_grid_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_153756_original-1.png", "event_feature_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_feature_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_153756_original-1.png", "event_feature_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_feature_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/10\/event_153756_original-1.png" }, "occurrence_count":1, "first_occurrence":21916281 } , "148434-21904271": { "datetime_modified":"20261019T120718", "datetime_start":"20261110T160000", "datetime_end":"20261110T180000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-11-10", "date_end":"2026-11-10", "time_start":"16:00:00", "time_end":"18:00:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"Tanner Lecture on Human Values | Kieran Setiya", "occurrence_title":"", "combined_title":"Tanner Lecture on Human Values | Kieran Setiya: Laughter in the Dark: The Consolation of Comedy", "event_subtitle":"Laughter in the Dark: The Consolation of Comedy", "event_type":"Lecture \/ Discussion", "event_type_id":"13", "description":"Can humour help us cope with hardship without distancing or denial? Does laughter at misfortune manifest what Bergson called \u201ca momentary anesthesia of the heart\u201d\u2014or worse? This talk takes up a puzzle about confessional comedy: why isn\u2019t it vicious to draw pleasure from another\u2019s suffering, as we do when comics joke about trauma? The answer turns on the fine structure of empathy; and the upshot is a theory of confessional stand-up as bespoke theodicy: a temporary, interpersonal solution to the emotional problem of evil. This solution is one we can administer to ourselves, using humour to confront adversity. Content note: violence and sexual assault.\n\nKieran Setiya is Peter de Florez Professor of Philosophy at MIT, where he works on ethics and related questions about human agency and human knowledge. He is the author of Reasons without Rationalism, Knowing Right From Wrong,Midlife: A Philosophical Guide and Life Is Hard: How Philosophy Can Help Us Find Our Way, which was selected as a Best Book of 2022 by The Economist and The New Yorker. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, the LA Review of Books, the TLS, the London Review of Books, the Boston Review, The Atlantic, Aeon, and The Yale Review, as well as numerous academic journals. He is working on a book about laughter as a guide to life.\n\nLecture\nRackham Amphitheatre\nTuesday, November 10, 2026\n4:00 PM - 6:00 PM\n\nSymposium\nRackham Amphitheatre\nWednesday, November 11, 2026\n10:00 AM - 12:30 PM\nKieran Setiya (MIT) will be joined by Beck Krefting (Skidmore College), Lucy O'Brien (University College London), and Sarah Buss (UM) for a symposium.\nScott Hershovitz (UM Law) will moderate.\n\nMore information about Kieran Setiya can be found here: http:\/\/www.ksetiya.net\/\n\nAbout the Tanner Lectures on Human Values\nMichigan is one of nine institutions worldwide that hosts an annual Tanner Lecture on Human Values. Tanner Lectures are funded through the generosity of the late Professor of Philosophy, industrialist, and philanthropist, Obert Clark Tanner, and his wife, Grace Tanner. Professor Tanner wrote:I hope these lectures will contribute to the intellectual and moral life of mankind. I see them simply as a search for a better understanding of human behavior and human values. This understanding may be pursued for its own intrinsic worth, but it may also eventually have practical consequences for the quality of personal and social life.Although the Tanners established the supporting endowment in 1978, Joel Feinberg's April 1977 lecture at Michigan inaugurated the international series of Tanner Lectures.Each year, Michigan has a Tanner Lecture combined with an interdisciplinary symposium to which we invite distinguished scholars from around the world. These events are free and open to the public. The complete list of Tanner Lectures at Michigan is available here: \nhttps:\/\/lsa.umich.edu\/philosophy\/news-events\/all-events\/tanner-lecture\/tanner-lectures-on-human-values-at-the-university-of-michigan.html.", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"148434-21904271@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/148434", "building_id":"", "building_name":"", "campus_maps_id":"", "room":"", "location_name":null, "has_livestream":0, "cost":"", "tags":["Philosophy"], "website":"https:\/\/www.ksetiya.net\/", "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Department of Philosophy, Department of Political Science", "group_id":"3186", "website":"http:\/\/www.lsa.umich.edu\/philosophy" } ], "image_url":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/attachments\/2026\/07\/event_148434_original-1.png", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/07\/crop-event_148434_original-1.png", "event_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/07\/crop-event_148434_original-1.png", "event_large_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/07\/crop-event_148434_original-1.png", "event_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2026\/07\/crop-event_148434_original-1.png", "group_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/07\/crop-event_148434_original-1.png", "group_thumb_square":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_thumb_square\/media\/attachments\/2026\/07\/crop-event_148434_original-1.png", "group_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/07\/crop-event_148434_original-1.png", "group_large_lightbox":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/group_large_lightbox\/media\/attachments\/2026\/07\/crop-event_148434_original-1.png", "event_large_crop":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_large_crop\/media\/attachments\/2026\/07\/crop-event_148434_original-1.png", "event_list":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list\/media\/attachments\/2026\/07\/crop-event_148434_original-1.png", "event_list_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_list_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/07\/crop-event_148434_original-1.png", "event_grid":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_grid\/media\/attachments\/2026\/07\/crop-event_148434_original-1.png", "event_grid_2x":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_grid_2x\/media\/attachments\/2026\/07\/crop-event_148434_original-1.png", "event_feature_large":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_feature_large\/media\/attachments\/2026\/07\/crop-event_148434_original-1.png", "event_feature_thumb":"https:\/\/events.umich.edu\/media\/cache\/event_feature_thumb\/media\/attachments\/2026\/07\/crop-event_148434_original-1.png" }, "occurrence_count":2, "first_occurrence":21904271 } , "149176-21906310": { "datetime_modified":"20261105T062057", "datetime_start":"20261110T170000", "datetime_end":"20261110T190000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-11-10", "date_end":"2026-11-10", "time_start":"17:00:00", "time_end":"19:00:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"FYRST Workshops 2026 - 2027", "occurrence_title":"FYRST Workshop", "combined_title":"FYRST Workshops 2026 - 2027: FYRST Workshop", "event_subtitle":"", "event_type":"Workshop \/ Seminar", "event_type_id":"21", "description":"If you are only seeing one workshop, please SIGN-IN and refresh the Sessions page! If still having issues, click this link.\u00a0\nFirst-Year Relationship and Sexuality Talk (FYRST) is a required, in-person, and peer-facilitated workshop that came directly from feedback and listening sessions with current University of Michigan students. Our goal is to create an accessible, supportive space for student-driven conversations where all identities and experiences are welcomed and in which students can build skills and tools around identifying goals and values and then communicate effectively about those. Workshops will be offered at multiple locations and times throughout the fall semester, so please sign up for the workshop that works for you!!\u00a0First-Year Relationship Sexuality Talk (FYRST) FAQ:\n\u201cHow many workshops do I have to sign up for?\u201d\nYou only need to sign up for 1 workshop. Attending 1 workshop will fulfill the requirement for the training.\u00a0\n\u201cI see that there is more than one session, does it matter which one I sign up for?\u201d\nIt generally does not matter which workshop you sign up for. There will be a few that are designated for specific groups such as transfer students or for students looking for accommodations. If you do not fit these groups please try to save these workshops for those that do and you are free to choose among any of the other workshops.\u00a0\n\u201cIs this workshop required?\u201d\nThis workshop is required for all transfer and first-year students at the University of Michigan.\n\u201cI\u2019ve experienced harm around relationships or sexual experiences in the past and I am worried that attending this workshop may be harmful for me.\u201d\u00a0\nOur team is aware that students who are coming into the university that have experienced harm in the past. Our workshop is specifically designed to respect and validate the experiences of survivors and has been carefully constructed to avoid any specific descriptions of violence and focus instead on themes of empowerment, communication, and boundary setting. However, if you still have concerns about programming and would like to request alternative programming, please feel free to reach out at SAPAC-FYRST@umich.edu.\n\u201cWhat if I struggle to learn in a presentation setting? I\u2019m an active learner.\u201d\nOur workshop is built to meet a variety of learning styles, including time for self-reflection, small group sharing, and resources to take with you to work through on your own time! This workshop is meant to be interactive and inclusive.\u00a0\n\u201cCan I request accommodations?\u201d\nWe considered accessibility in creating this workshop and selecting the locations in which the workshops are help. However, we recognize many places at the University are inaccessible and we've set an * next to workshops that are on the first floor and lack stairs. These workshops also will have a presentation (other workshops we do not) and are a good fit for those who might need a large font. Please sign up for those if you feel that accommodations would assist you and reach out to SAPAC-FYRST@umich.edu if you are concerned or have questions.\u00a0\n\u201cI missed my workshop, what should I do ?\u201d\nOur team tracks attendance at each workshop by having participants swipe in with their MCard. If you are not able to attend the workshop you signed up for, our team will continue to send reminder emails until you have completed a workshop. In this case, please sign up for another workshop as soon as you can as the workshop is required and may fill up especially near the end of the semester. No need to contact SAPAC unless you are not able to reschedule.\u00a0\n\u201cI have had gender-based violence training before, can I get this requirement waived?\u201d\nAs this workshop was designed with University of Michigan student feedback in mind, our workshop is unique to the UM community. Our curriculum focuses on individualized reflection and because of its interactive nature, each workshop will be unique to the people attending. Although we are excited you already have familiarity with the subject, this workshop is required for every first year and transfer student.\u00a0\n\u201cI\u2019m a commuter\/non-traditional student, do I still have to attend?\"\nYes, this workshop is required for every first-year and transfer student - not only do we want every student to benefit from having this time to connect with peers, but we also want to make sure your peers benefit from what you bring to our community. If you have any concerns or questions about being able to participate, please contact SAPAC-FYRST@umich.edu.\n\u201cI still have questions! Who should I contact?\"\nPlease contact us at SAPAC-FYRST@umich.edu.", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"149176-21906310@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/149176", "building_id":"", "building_name":"", "campus_maps_id":"", "room":"", "location_name":"Central Campus (Location TBA)", "has_livestream":0, "cost":"", "tags":["Sessions"], "website":"https:\/\/sessions.studentlife.umich.edu\/p\/track\/17177", "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Sessions @ Michigan", "group_id":"4791", "website":"https:\/\/sessions.studentlife.umich.edu\/" } ], "image_url":"", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"", "event_large":"", "event_large_2x":"", "event_large_lightbox":"", "group_thumb":"", "group_thumb_square":"", "group_large":"", "group_large_lightbox":"", "event_large_crop":"", "event_list":"", "event_list_2x":"", "event_grid":"", "event_grid_2x":"", "event_feature_large":"", "event_feature_thumb":"" }, "occurrence_count":52, "first_occurrence":21906302 } , "102102-21917195": { "datetime_modified":"20261105T062056", "datetime_start":"20261110T170000", "datetime_end":"20261110T190000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-11-10", "date_end":"2026-11-10", "time_start":"17:00:00", "time_end":"19:00:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"Maize & Blue Cupboard Volunteering", "occurrence_title":"MBC Operating Hours", "combined_title":"Maize & Blue Cupboard Volunteering: Multiple conference events and sessions: MBC Operating Hours", "event_subtitle":"Multiple conference events and sessions", "event_type":"Conference \/ Symposium", "event_type_id":"5", "description":"Come help us during normal operating hours; as well as, unload our weekly Food Gatherers deliveries and stock our shelves!\u00a0If you are outside the U-M community, please reach out to maize.blue.cupboard@umich.edu to sign up.", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"102102-21917195@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/102102", "building_id":"", "building_name":"", "campus_maps_id":"", "room":"", "location_name":"Maize and Blue Cupboard inside Betsy Barbour", "has_livestream":0, "cost":"", "tags":["Sessions"], "website":"https:\/\/sessions.studentlife.umich.edu\/p\/track\/3152", "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Sessions @ Michigan", "group_id":"4791", "website":"https:\/\/sessions.studentlife.umich.edu\/" } ], "image_url":"", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"", "event_large":"", "event_large_2x":"", "event_large_lightbox":"", "group_thumb":"", "group_thumb_square":"", "group_large":"", "group_large_lightbox":"", "event_large_crop":"", "event_list":"", "event_list_2x":"", "event_grid":"", "event_grid_2x":"", "event_feature_large":"", "event_feature_thumb":"" }, "occurrence_count":19, "first_occurrence":21917187 } , "151918-21917924": { "datetime_modified":"20261105T062118", "datetime_start":"20261110T173000", "datetime_end":"20261104T150000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-11-10", "date_end":"2026-11-04", "time_start":"17:30:00", "time_end":"15:00:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"BGSA Events 26-27 SY", "occurrence_title":"Tubi Tuesday", "combined_title":"BGSA Events 26-27 SY: Tubi Tuesday", "event_subtitle":"", "event_type":"Workshop \/ Seminar", "event_type_id":"21", "description":"", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"151918-21917924@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/151918", "building_id":"", "building_name":"", "campus_maps_id":"", "room":"", "location_name":"Munger\u2019s Media Room (basement)", "has_livestream":0, "cost":"", "tags":["Sessions"], "website":"https:\/\/sessions.studentlife.umich.edu\/p\/track\/17948", "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Sessions @ Michigan", "group_id":"4791", "website":"https:\/\/sessions.studentlife.umich.edu\/" } ], "image_url":"", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"", "event_large":"", "event_large_2x":"", "event_large_lightbox":"", "group_thumb":"", "group_thumb_square":"", "group_large":"", "group_large_lightbox":"", "event_large_crop":"", "event_list":"", "event_list_2x":"", "event_grid":"", "event_grid_2x":"", "event_feature_large":"", "event_feature_thumb":"" }, "occurrence_count":1, "first_occurrence":21917924 } , "149638-21917514": { "datetime_modified":"20261105T062118", "datetime_start":"20261110T173000", "datetime_end":"20261110T190000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-11-10", "date_end":"2026-11-10", "time_start":"17:30:00", "time_end":"19:00:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"BLI Community Meetings", "occurrence_title":"BLI Community Meeting: Love & Gratitude", "combined_title":"BLI Community Meetings: BLI Community Meeting: Love & Gratitude", "event_subtitle":"", "event_type":"Workshop \/ Seminar", "event_type_id":"21", "description":"Are you interested in \u2013\u2022 Connecting with students from across campus while elevating your leadership learning?\u2022 Exploring the possibilities in the BLI?\u2022 Enjoying a light dinner in a dynamic, welcoming, and supportive community?Join us for our COMMUNITY MEETINGS held twice a month on Wednesdays in Weiser Hall.\u00a0\nWe hope to inspire and engage our community of leaders at these interactive and social events led by our student Applied Leadership Fellows!\u00a0Please note \u2013 this event is open to all undergrads to invite your friends who want to explore the BLI! Dinner is intended for those participating in the event.\u00a0", "occurrence_notes":null, "guid":"149638-21917514@events.umich.edu", "permalink":"http:\/\/events.umich.edu\/event\/149638", "building_id":"", "building_name":"", "campus_maps_id":"", "room":"", "location_name":"10th floor Weiser Hall", "has_livestream":0, "cost":"", "tags":["Sessions"], "website":"https:\/\/sessions.studentlife.umich.edu\/p\/track\/17496", "sponsors":[ { "group_name":"Sessions @ Michigan", "group_id":"4791", "website":"https:\/\/sessions.studentlife.umich.edu\/" } ], "image_url":"", "styled_images":{ "event_thumb":"", "event_large":"", "event_large_2x":"", "event_large_lightbox":"", "group_thumb":"", "group_thumb_square":"", "group_large":"", "group_large_lightbox":"", "event_large_crop":"", "event_list":"", "event_list_2x":"", "event_grid":"", "event_grid_2x":"", "event_feature_large":"", "event_feature_thumb":"" }, "occurrence_count":1, "first_occurrence":21917514 } , "151290-21911323": { "datetime_modified":"20260901T092147", "datetime_start":"20261110T173000", "datetime_end":"20261110T190000", "has_end_time":1, "date_start":"2026-11-10", "date_end":"2026-11-10", "time_start":"17:30:00", "time_end":"19:00:00", "time_zone":"America\/Detroit", "event_title":"CREES Annual Borka Tomljenovi\u0107 Lecture. Reading through the Double Archival Grain: Yugoslav Socialist Humanitarianism and its Whiteness", "occurrence_title":"", "combined_title":"CREES Annual Borka Tomljenovi\u0107 Lecture. Reading through the Double Archival Grain: Yugoslav Socialist Humanitarianism and its Whiteness: \u010carna Brkovi\u0107, professor of cultural studies and European ethnology, University of Mainz", "event_subtitle":"\u010carna Brkovi\u0107, professor of cultural studies and European ethnology, University of Mainz", "event_type":"Lecture \/ Discussion", "event_type_id":"13", "description":"For the 2026 Annual Borka Tomljenovi\u0107 Lecture, Professor \u010carna Brkovi\u0107 will consider different forms of affective engagement with humanitarian activities in socialist Yugoslavia, including irony and nostalgia. Ironic engagement assumes that Yugoslav solidarity with formerly colonized populations during the Cold War was empty rhetoric, driven by a pragmatic desire to establish the country as a significant player on the geopolitical stage. Nostalgic engagement, by contrast, is shaped by the belief that Yugoslavs were motivated by an honest ideological commitment to solidarity and anti-racism that ultimately placed them on the \u201cright side\u201d of history. Both ironic and nostalgic engagements with socialist humanitarianism evaluate the past through contemporary ideas about solidarity, socialism, capitalism, and their interrelations.\n\nTo understand socialist humanitarianism on its own terms, Brkovi\u0107 proposes reading it through the double grain of state socialism and the end of history. Such an analytical approach illuminates the role of racial socialism\u2014socialist ideologies of \u201crace\u201d and local racial projects\u2014and its interactions with global racial hierarchies, showing how these ideologies were shaped by particular value constellations.\n\nBy discussing a 1961 humanitarian initiative of the Yugoslav Red Cross that brought sixty children and young people from the Congo to Tivat, Montenegro, this talk sheds light on the workings of socialist whiteness. This was not a colourist project but rather a normative regime of political value with two key characteristics: it ascribed superiority to Yugoslavs on the basis of their greater socialist experience, and it overlooked present problems in favour of a future in which \u201crace\u201d would no longer matter.\n\n\u010carna Brkovi\u0107 is professor of cultural studies and European ethnology at the University of Mainz. Dr. Brkovi\u0107 has a PhD in Social Anthropology from the University of Manchester and a BA in Ethnology and Anthropology from the University of Belgrade. In her European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant \u201cRacial Socialism\u201d (2026-2031) as well as in her book Realigning Humanitarianism in the Balkans: From Cold War Politics to Neoliberal Ethics (Indiana University Press, 2026), she studies historical projects of integrating the world differently, such as socialist humanitarianism and Europeanization.\n\nIf there is anything we can do to make this event accessible to you, please contact us at CREES@umich.edu. 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