Pell Center Announces Virtual Programming Amidst COVID-19 Emergency
Newport RI—As we all do our part to heed the warnings of public health officials, practice social-distancing, and hope to flatten-the-curve, the Pell Center will continue its mission of bringing people together to discuss common solutions to common problems. Accordingly, the Pell Center is pleased to announce a series of virtual events in the coming weeks that will both explore the current crisis and also give us a chance to celebrate all that is beautiful about our state.
“Senator Pell spoke about the Pell Center as a place to bring people together,” said Jim Ludes, Executive Director of the Pell Center. “In the year 2020, just because we’re not able to meet face-to-face, doesn’t mean we can’t meet at all,” he continued. “Last week, we hosted a tremendously successful conversation with the Rhode Island Center for the Book, featuring author Elizabeth Rush on Facebook Live. We’re excited to build on that model with the events we’re announcing today,” Ludes said.
Events will be streamed via Facebook Live. Those who pre-register will receive an email with a direct link to the event 10 minutes before the event begins.
April 14, 2020 | 6:30 PM
COVID-19 and Foreign Disinformation
Featuring: Jim Ludes, Pell Center Executive Director
In 2016, the United States awoke to the use of disinformation as a weapon by America’s adversaries. As deaths have risen globally due to COVID-19, foreign disinformation has increased as Russia and China, among others, try to settle scores, cast blame, and weaken the United States domestically and internationally. In this webinar, Dr. Jim Ludes builds on his previous research on political warfare to examine how other countries are exploiting the crisis to advance their own interests and to weaken the United States. Register for this event here.
April 28. 2020 | 6:30 PM
Virtual Screening: “The Newport Pell Bridge: A Rhode Island Icon”
With Filmmakers: Jamie McGuire and Michelle Abbott
We drive over it, we marvel at it, but few of us know the incredible story of its construction. Immediately following the screening, we will stream a live Q&A with filmmakers Jamie McGuire and Michelle Abbott. Register here.
May 5, 2020 | 6:30 PM
COVID-19 and the 2020 Election
Featuring: Tim Farley, host of “The Morning Briefing” on SiriusXM’s POTUS Channel.
COVID-19 has disrupted every facet of American life, including the 2020 presidential campaign. Join Tim Farley, host of the “The Morning Briefing” on SiriusXM’s POTUS channel for a candid conversation on the state of the race, the ways the pandemic is changing American politics, and his thoughts about how things will play-out between now and election day. Register for this event here.
The Pell Center will also host several roundtable conversations on WebEx that will be open to Salve Regina University students, faculty, and staff throughout the spring. The first roundtable discussion will focus on the status of the novel coronavirus and will be moderated by faculty from Salve Regina University’s department of biology and biomedical sciences.
“One of the most unsettling things about this crisis is the disruption it has caused in our social networks,” said Ludes. “We’re excited to do our part to be alone together.”
We look forward to welcoming you to the virtual Pell Center!