The Humanities Research Group will kick off its 2023-24 special guest speaker series on Thursday, Sept. 21, with journalist and author Deborah Dundas discussing her book On Class, published by Biblioasis literary press as part of its “Field Notes” series.

In her book, Dundas addresses writers, activists, those who work with the poor, or are poor, about what happens when we don’t talk about poverty or class — and what will happen when we do. She explores who tells the stories about class and who doesn’t, which ones tend to be repeated most often, and why this must change. Her talk asks the question: What don’t we talk about when we don’t talk about class? And what might happen if, finally, we did?

Dundas is the books editor at the Toronto Star with a broad background in the media. She has interviewed some of the world’s most recognizable authors, including Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, Colson Whitehead, Jonathan Franzen, Zadie Smith, and John Irving.

The Humanities Research Group will explore this year’s theme, “Interpreting Experience,” through a lineup of speakers with expertise in art, politics, education, and journalism.

Other speakers include Michael Naicker (Oct. 18); Jason McBride (Nov. 30); Rebecca Major (Jan. 25); Michelle Shepherd (Feb. 29); and 2023-2024 HRG Fellow Catherine Heard (March 28). Find bios of all these guest speakers and more information on the website uwindsor.ca/hrg.

All guest speaker presentations are free to attend in the Performance Hall at the SoCA Armouries at 5 p.m.

In addition, the HRG is offering two fellowship streams this year, one for faculty with an application deadline of Oct. 31, and a student fellowship to reward feminist research in the humanities, thanks to the support of a legacy donation from Windsor’s Feminist Research Group, with a deadline of Nov. 30. Read about HRG’s fellowship and award opportunities.

To receive event updates from HRG, email a request to join to HRGmail@uwindsor.ca.