Fotis Sotiropoulos, left, and Dominic Asmall Willsdon
Fotis Sotiropoulos, left, and Dominic Asmall Willsdon at the first session of the Provost’s Lecture Series at the ICA on Dec. 1. (Tom Kojcsich, University Marketing)

New lecture series will provide a forum to explore the significance of research for social impact

The Provost’s Lecture Series at the ICA highlights the work of both VCU faculty and global thought leaders, and how their work addresses key issues in the world today.

Share this story

A new lecture series starting this month at VCU will provide a forum for learning and discussion that highlights the work of both VCU faculty and global thought leaders, and how their work addresses key issues in the world today.

The Provost’s Lecture Series at the ICA, which began Dec. 1, will provide a forum to explore the significance of research for social impact, and the importance of making research accessible to the public, said Fotis Sotiropoulos, Ph.D., VCU’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

Sotiropoulos, the series’ first speaker, delivered a TED Talk-style presentation at Wednesday’s first session highlighting his research in computational fluid dynamics and the societal problems it addresses. A recording of both his talk and conversation with Dominic Asmall Willsdon, executive director of the ICA at VCU, about the importance of transdisciplinary research is now available to watch on YouTube.

Provost's Lecture Series at the ICA - Fotis Sotiropoulos

A signature program for the ICA, lectures in the series will include an in-person audience, and can also be viewed via live stream. Thus far, three additional programs are planned for the spring 2022 semester, featuring presentations from prominent VCU faculty in a variety of disciplines.