The Chancellor’s Distinguished Lectures focus on subjects to help narrow the widening gap between fast moving advances in knowledge acquisition and their understanding and appreciation by the general public. The individuals selected as lecturers are chosen to fulfill the lectureship’s important public outreach function and contribute to an understanding and appreciation of rapid advancements and important nuances in their fields. Our lecturers are chosen on the basis of their international renown and their ability to speak and interact with a well-informed public audience.

Spring 2023 Lecture

Monday, April 3, 2023

3pm

Jake Jabs Events Center

It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

Human beings were designed to worry, but not necessarily about the things that matter most. Our nation argues and agonizes about problems of no importance while shrugging at those that could spell our doom. Why? Professor Gilbert will explain why our brains evolved to ignore the looming disaster of climate change and will suggest some ways that we might still outsmart them.

Daniel Gilbert

Edgar Pierce Professor of Psychology at Harvard University

Daniel Gilbert headshot

Daniel Gilbert has won numerous awards for his research and teaching. He is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a winner of the Association for Psychological Science’s William James Award for “a lifetime of significant intellectual contributions to the basic science of psychology.”

His popular book, Stumbling on Happiness, spent 6 months on the New York Times bestseller list, has sold more than a million copies worldwide, has been translated into more than 40 languages, and was awarded the Royal Society’s General Book Prize for best science book of the year.

He is the host and co-writer of the award-winning NOVA television series This Emotional Life which was seen by more than 10 million viewers in its first airing.

A few years ago, he teamed up with Prudential to do a series of television commercials to help Americans overcome the psychological obstacles to retirement saving. That advertising campaign was one of the most successful in the history of the financial services industry.

He is a contributor to Time, The New York Times, and NPR's All Things Considered; he has been a guest on numerous television programs including The Today Show, The Colbert Report, and The Late Show.

Dan’s three TED talks have more than 30 million views, and his first TED talk remains one of the most popular of all time.

Past Distinguished Lectures have included topics ranging from returning wolves to Colorado to the promise of Big Data.

All lectures have been recorded and are available to watch on YouTube.

Paul Boulos, PhD

The Three Circles of Leadership That Can Change the World

View Lecture

Susan Solomon, PhD

Ozone Depletion at the Ends of the Earth

View Lecture

Ed Lazowska, PhD

Big Data, Enormous Opportunity

View Lecture

Jennifer A. Lewis, ScD

3D Printing: Making the Future

View Lecture

Richard Klein, PhD

Modern Human Origins

View Lecture

Mike Phillips

Wilderness Restored: The Wolf's Return to Colorado

View Lecture