AU announces this year’s events, theme for Symposium Against Indifference series

ASHLAND, Ohio – Ashland University is proud to announce its 2025-26 events for the College of Arts and Sciences’ Symposium Against Indifference, a biennial series dedicated to overcoming apathy in the face of human concerns by raising awareness and promoting compassionate engagement. This year’s theme is “Thinking About Intelligence: Human and Artificial.”

There will be seven events spread throughout the academic year, ranging from an art exhibition to a film screening, to a theatre performance, to lectures. They are:

• “Transcending Barriers Beyond Time: Visual Reminiscence of Older Adults with Chronicle Illnesses Facilitate by Generative AI” at the Coburn Art Gallery from Aug. 27-Sept. 27. This art exhibition, co-sponsored by Kent State University and Ursuline College, showcases 42 artworks created by older adults living with chronic illnesses in collaboration with researchers who used generative AI to visually explore their memories.
• “Autism: Strategies for Collaboration and Success” at Ronk Lecture Hall in the College of Education on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. Kloey Kaeser, an autism advocate, speaker and author, will present challenges people with autism face when attending university and solutions for working with neurodiverse learners. This event is co-sponsored by the AU Department of Psychology.
• “Silent Sky” at Hugo Young Theatre inside the Center for the Arts will be performed Oct. 23-25 at 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. An inspiring drama of the true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt, it explores a woman’s place during a time of immense scientific discoveries. A panel discussion will follow the Oct. 26 show.
• “AI and You: Partnering for the Future” at the Hawkins-Conard Student Center Auditorium on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. Lew Ludwig, professor of mathematics and director of the Center for Learning and Teaching at Denison University, will explore how rigorous, human-driven learning prepares us to partner with AI, not rely on it.
• “AI as Artistic Collaborator: A Hands-On Exploration of Art, Process and Machine Learning” at the Center for the Arts on Tuesday, Jan. 20. A visual artist, experimental animator and educator, Tracy Miller-Robbins will explore AI as a creative tool during a lecture at 1:40 p.m. in room 339 and a workshop from 2:40-4:40 p.m. in room 340. This event is co-sponsored by the AU Department of Art and Design.
• “i am sam” at the Hawkins-Conard Student Center Auditorium on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 6 p.m. The 2001 film about a man with an intellectual disability fighting to retain custody of his daughter will be screened, followed by a panel discussion led by Carly George, clinical assistant professor of social work and field director at AU, and local mental health professionals.
• “Harnessing the Power of Youth: The Role of Young Adult Literature in Combatting Indifference” on the fifth floor of Archer Library on Wednesday, March 18, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. An interdisciplinary group of experts will analyze the power of literature in developing resistance to complacency and indifference in young and new adults.

“We are incredibly excited for this year’s Symposium Against Indifference where we’ll dive into thought-provoking conversations about the many forms of intelligence – both human and artificial. It’s a unique opportunity to explore these complex ideas and engage in meaningful dialogue that challenges assumptions and sparks new perspectives,” said George, the chair of the Symposium Against Indifference committee. “We have a diverse group of people and topics, so there is something for everyone.”

AU’s Symposium Against Indifference series began in 2001. The College of Arts and Sciences seeks to challenge the university community, as well as the wider Ashland community, toward a deeper understanding of difficult affairs and creative responses from individuals and organizations. Themes from previous years have included “The Holocaust,” “Human Nature,” “The Promises and Perils of Technology,” “Inquiry Into What Makes a Hero,” “Building Bridges Through Dialogue” and “Truth in the Age of Disinformation.”