Our attempts to understand the world are always more than rational. Even scientists frequently describe their findings in the language of beauty. This talk, taken from Poole's new book, discusses how beauty is integral to how scientific research sworks. To start understanding this idea, we'll listen to the songs of humpback whales, observe the colorful plumage of birds, watch the dances of jumping spiders, and consider the caretaking practices of elephants. Finally, Poole will consider the listening practices of biologists who study anthropogenic noise, specifically thinking through how human noise alters marine mammal communication in populations already stressed by rapidly changing conditions in ocean temperature and food sources in the wake of climate change. 

Throughout the talk, Poole's feminist approach to science studies illustrates what happens when researchers disrupt traditional notions of what science is, where science happens, and - most importantly who can engage in scientific inquiry. 

Megan Poole is an assistant professor of rhetoric and writing at the University of Texas at Austin. She received her M.A. in English from TCU and her Ph.D. in English from Penn State. 

This talk is free and open to all TCU faculty, staff, students, and the community.