“Harnessing the Power of Youth” event to wrap up 2025-26 Symposium Against Indifference

ASHLAND, Ohio – This year’s Symposium Against Indifference series at Ashland University will conclude with “Harnessing the Power of Youth: The Role of Young Adult Literature in Combatting Indifference” on Wednesday, March 18. The event, taking place at Ronk Lecture Hall (340 Samaritan Ave.) from 6:30-8:30 p.m., features an interdisciplinary group of experts who will analyze the power of literature in developing resistance to complacency in young adults. It is free and open to the public..

The expert panel of “Harnessing the Power of Youth” consists of Michele Castleman, an assistant professor of education at Heidelberg University and author of the psychological thriller “And Then There Was One;” C.C. Finlay, former editor of “The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction” and author of four novels; and Patrick Lay, chair of comics and narrative practice at the Columbus College of Art & Design and an internationally-published cartoonist.

The panel will examine themes, characters and cultural impact of young adult literature in relation to memory formation and emotional resonance, which affects indifference later in life. The event will also incorporate dedicated workshop time for educators and librarians to collaboratively develop concrete, curriculum-based activities that leverage the reminiscence bump to combat complacency and indifference.

“Harnessing the Power of Youth” aims to bridge cognitive psychology, literary studies and educational practice, offering practical strategies for educators to connect with young and new adult learners through shared cultural memories that will extend through middle and late adulthood.

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.”