Panel Discussion: Misinformation Society

October 2, 2024 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. Registration required for this free event.

Institute for Human Science and Culture | 73 S. College St. Akron, OH 44325


In recent years, the United States has hit a crisis point in terms of misinformation and disinformation. Rumors and falsehoods have become inescapable online, fueling division, protests, and public policy debates. Join us for a free panel discussion on the science and history of disinformation, with University of Akron faculty from the fields of Bibliography, History, Psychology, and Science Education. The panel will discuss how misinformation and disinformation proliferate in our society, what motivates the spread, and what we can do to combat falsehoods in our classrooms and communities.

This free event is open to all, but registration is required. Please RSVP using the link below.

This event will be livestreamed via our YouTube Channel.

Register for Free

This event is part of the Cummings Center’s Brown Bag History series, which invites guests to drop in, bring a meal, and enjoy a lunchtime conversation about history and culture. All Brown Bag History events are free to attend and include free admission to the National Museum of Psychology and Institute galleries.


About the Panelists

Dr. Cathy Faye is the executive director of the Drs. Nicholas and Dorothy Cummings Center for the History of Psychology at The University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. She holds a PhD in psychology from York University in Toronto, Canada, where she specialized in the history of psychology. She is the past president of APA’s Society for the History of Psychology and the 2018 recipient of the society’s Early Career Award.

Dr. Gary M. Holliday (he/they) is Professor of Science Education and Director of the LeBron James Family Foundation School of Education at The University of Akron. His research has focused on informal learning environments which extends the teaching and learning of science beyond the formal classroom in settings such as museums, aquaria, zoos, environmental centers, and other community resources. In essence, they can communicate knowledge about science and are forms of science outreach. Further, he is interested in science communication by scientists themselves and how their research can be communicated (or miscommunicated) to the general public in a variety of ways.

Dr. Melanie McGurr is Professor and Associate Dean of Technical Services at the University Libraries, University of Akron. She previously worked as Interim Chief Medical Librarian and Assistant Director of Content Strategies at the Northeast Ohio Medical University, Coordinator of Authority Control and Database Maintenance at the Ohio State University, and Coordinator of Technical Services at Urbana University. Melanie received both her M.L.I.S. and Ph.D. in English Literature from Kent State University. She also has an M.A in English from Slippery Rock University and a B.A. in English and History from Washington and Jefferson College.

Dr. Gregory Wilson is a distinguished professor of history. He is the author of four books and numerous articles, reviews, and other publications. He specializes in recent United States history and Ohio history, with interests in environmental history, politics, labor, and oral history. He is also an accomplished public historian, who has received several grants and awards for his work on various projects.


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