17 KU researchers to present at national a2ru conference hosted at KU this fall

LAWRENCE — Faculty, staff and students are invited to register for the Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities (a2ru) national conference that will be hosted at the University of Kansas Nov. 7 through Nov. 9. There is a discounted registration fee for students, and reduced early registration rates are available through Sept. 1.

The 2019 conference theme is “knowledges: artistic practice as method.” Seventeen KU researchers will present at the a2ru conference on topics that explore creative practice in research.

On Nov. 7, the following KU researchers will present:

• Cassandra Mesick Braun, curator at the Spencer Museum of Art, and Kathryn Rhine, associate professor of anthropology, will present on integrating the arts and health humanities into medical research and practice.
• Bryan Kip Haaheim, professor of music composition, will explore how using an inclusive instrument can build community across a range of abilities by translating movement into music.
• Megan Kaminski, associate professor of English, will present her personal practice of knowing plants through poetry.

On Nov. 8, the following KU researchers will present:

• John Sebelius, artist-in-residence at the Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research & Treatment, and Tim Pleskac, professor of psychology, will present on the Artistic Expressions Healing Arts program for veterans.
• School of Architecture & Design Professors Shannon Criss, Nils Gore, Andrea Herstowski, Paola Sanguinetti, Jeremy Shellhorn and Keith Van de Riet will present on ways their studios incorporate public engagement and collaboration.
• Spencer Museum Curator Kris Ercums will give a lightning talk exploring queer artistic practices in contemporary Korea.
• Ward Lyles, associate professor of urban planning, and Emily Ryan, director of The Commons, will give a lightning talk about charts the year-long process of launching a new Center for Compassionate and Sustainable Communities.

On Nov. 9, the following KU researchers will present:

• Brian McClendon, research professor in the School of Engineering, will participate in a plenary panel about the training and skills students need to enhance creativity, ethics and innovation in corporate industries.
• Matthew Kleinmann, doctoral student in architecture, will illustrate how community-led participatory design can support a framework of shared governance to address food insecurity. 

In addition to the KU researchers presenting, four artists — Assaf Evron, Danielle Roney, Fatimah Tuggar and Andrew Yang — who created site-specific works for the Spencer Museum of Art’s exhibition “knowledges” will present a plenary panel on Nov. 8 and give gallery talks on Nov. 8-9.

Several units at KU have formally partnered with a2ru: the KU Biodiversity Institute & Natural History Museum, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, The Commons, the Hall Center for the Humanities, the Lied Center, the School of Architecture & Design, the School of the Arts, the School of Engineering, and the Spencer Museum of Art. Additional support for the a2ru conference at KU comes from the city of Lawrence, the Office of the Provost, the Center for Faculty Development & Mentoring, the Office of Integrity & Compliance, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Kress Foundation Department of Art History.

Photo: Artist Andrew Yang installs new work for the exhibition "knowledges" at the Spencer Museum of Art. Yang will present at the a2ru conference.