Upcoming Events

Join the International Student Peer Network for a professional Chinese Kun Opera group performance, storytelling, open discussion, and the opportunity to try on traditional costumes and makeup.

The Global Appalachia Reading Group is looking forward to this semester’s new book discussion. For Fall 2024, the World History Center and the Global Studies Center will host the second series of book discussions focusing on Appalachia from a global perspective. The semester’s series theme is Race, Place and Migration. Participation in all four events in the series is not required but encouraged. All events will take place from (please see dates below) 1:30-3:00pm. Copies of the books will be available for those planning to attend the event. Please contact Veronica Dristas at dristas@pitt.edu for the book or with questions.
Note: We are able to fund and distribute books to registrants as funding allows. Registration will remain open after this amount is reached. Registrants will be notified if we are unable to provide them with the reading material.
Session Descriptions:
September 25, 2024: African American Workers and the Appalachian Coal Industry by Joe William Trotter
October 23, 2024: Hillbilly Highway: The Transappalachian Migration and the Making of a White Working Class by Max Fraser
November 13, 2024: After Coal: Stories of Survival from Appalachia and Wales by Tom Hansell
December 4, 2024: Out of the Mountains: Appalachia Stories by Meredith Sue Williams

On October 16-17, scholars and advocates from the Scholars at Risk Network will gather to promote academic freedom locally, in the U.S., and around the world. The 2024 SAR United States General Assembly will provide a forum for us to discuss how we can best protect scholars and defend everyone’s freedom to think, question, and share ideas.
Please register today, and see the draft program below. We hope to see you there! If you have any questions, please write to Brian Evans at be2219@nyu.edu.
Draft agenda: (Please note that this schedule is subject to change and additional sessions may be added.)
Tuesday, October 15 @ 4:30-6:00 pm – Informal ticketed reception at City of Asylum (optional).
Wednesday, October 16:
8:30 am-3:00 pm – Conference check-in
8:30-9:30 am – Coffee and tea
9:15-10:45 am – Opening plenary: Academic freedom in the global context (Eve Darian-Smith & Abdullahi An-Na’im)
11:00 am-12:15 pm – Breakout sessions:
Session 1 – Introduction to hosting scholars: Administrative models for building out a SAR program
Session 2 – Student engagement: Advocacy seminars and legal clinics
Session 3 – Scholar connections
12:15-1:30 pm – Lunch provided and guided tours of the exhibition “What We Brought With Us”
1:30-2:45 pm – Breakout sessions:
Session 1 – SAR’s “Free to Think” report: Advocating for academic freedom
Session 2 – Sharing the Platform: Making the most of scholar placements
3:00-4:15 pm – Town hall meeting on promoting academic freedom in the USA and the role of the SAR USA section
5:00-7:00 pm – Evening reception @ University of Pittsburgh, featuring tours of the Nationality Rooms at the Cathedral of Learning
7:30-9:30 pm – Dessert and a movie
Thursday, October 17:
8:30-9:30 am – Scholar conversations on navigating threats to academic freedom (continental breakfast provided)
9:30-10:45 am
Session 1 – Post-placement planning for scholars
11:00 am-12:00 pm – Closing plenary
Creating community with at-risk artists and scholars (City of Asylum)
Scholars at Risk USA into the Future

We welcome you back to a new semester. The Global Appalachia Reading Group is looking forward to this semester’s new book discussion. In the fall of 2024, the World History Center’s and the Global Studies Center will host a the second series of book discussions focusing on Appalachia from a global perspective. The semester’s series theme is Race, Place and Migration. Participation in all four events in the series is not required but encouraged. All events will take place from (please see dates below) 1:30-3:00pm. Copies of the books will be available for those planning to attend the event. Please contact Veronica Dristas at dristas@pitt.edu for the book or with questions.
Note: We are able to fund and distribute books to registrants as funding allows. Registration will remain open after this amount is reached. Registrants will be notified if we are unable to provide them with the reading material.
Session Descriptions:
September 25, 2024: African American Workers and the Appalachian Coal Industry by Joe William Trotter
October 23, 2024: Hillbilly Highway: The Transappalachian Migration and the Making of a White Working Class by Max Fraser
November 13, 2024: After Coal: Stories of Survival from Appalachia and Wales by Tom Hansell
December 4, 2024: Out of the Mountains: Appalachia Stories by Meredith Sue Williams
To register please follow this link: https://forms.gle/J7jqr1h3mRsdrJEa9.

Join us for this free online K-12 educator workshop that will explore the topic of migration today through the global lens of politics, economics, and climatic changes. Using modern-day migration case studies, our presenters will share content and pedagogical strategies to help introduce or extend your current study of the topic of migration in the classroom. ACT 48 hours will be provided for PA educators as well as resources and materials for classroom use.

The 42nd Annual Polishfest is designed to give everyone an opportunity to experience the living Polish, Lithuanian, and Carpatho-Rusyn cultures
The 42nd Annual Polishfest is designed to give the festival guests, families, and students an opportunity to experience the living cultures of the Polish, Lithuanian and Carpatho-Rusyn Peoples that throughout history were joined, separated and independently are connected. A living legacy presented to teach, to experience, to taste, to try and to have fun.
This family-oriented event is FREE to everyone and will include many activities such as Polish name writing; Lithuanian angel papercutting demonstration; pierogi / pirohy cooking demonstrations and samples; and Carpatho-Rusyn spinning and lace making; and a pierogi toss.
Every display, demonstration, and activity will offer an explanation of the cultural history of the tradition.
Entertainment will include Polish folk songs with a violinist; a Lithuanian choir with Bocjai folk songs; Polish Karazula folk songs and folk dancing by the “Lajkoniki” Ensemble; Polka dancing; and contemporary Polish music.
In-Person event

Register here: https://www.ucis.pitt.edu/clas/content/clas-event-registration
Free and open to the public